Heal the Bay Benefit Raises $565, 000

   Heal the Bay’s thirteenth annual “Bring Back the Beach” fundraiser last Thursday night at the Santa Monica Pier raised more than $565,000.
   The money will underwrite the environmental organization’s community outreach and ocean wellness programs. It was generated through ticket sales, a live and silent auction and corporate sponsorships of the event.
   The high-profile fundraiser attracted about 1,000 of L.A.’s staunchest citizens, including Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, producer/director Garry Marshall, actor/director Rob Reiner, and actors Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hector Elizondo, Wendie Malick, Jack Klugman, Ingo Rademacher (General Hospital) and Ken Howard, who doubled as auctioneer for the evening.
   Heal the Bay Executive Director Dr. Mark Gold said, “Events like ‘Bring Back the Beach’ are vital for Heal the Bay to continue operating and we appreciate all the support we receive from sponsors, auction donors, our membership, volunteers and the general public who contribute to make the event such a success each year.”
   Founded in 1985, Heal the Bay (www.healthebay.org) is dedicated to making Santa Monica Bay and Southern California’s coastal waters safe and healthy again for people and marine life. The organization uses education, outreach, research and advocacy to achieve its goals.