Mote thanks its supporters at annual Oceanic Evening, announces final amount raised for campaign
This year, Mote Marine Laboratory celebrated the success of its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, Oceans of Opportunity, and the extraordinary generosity of its supporters at the Lab’s annual fundraising event, Oceanic Evening – on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Oceanic Evening drew about 400 ocean supporters for an elegant event that applauded the historic achievement of Mote’s comprehensive campaign and shared the Lab’s exciting vision for the future.
Lowe Morrison, Chair of Mote’s Board of Trustees, welcomed guests after a whimsical cocktail hour and extended his thanks.
“I am proud to say that all members of the board contributed to Oceans of Opportunity and I would like to send my sincere gratitude to all who have supported Mote through this campaign,” Morrison said. “This truly sets the stage for the future of this institution and will enable even greater impact from our work for years to come.”
Crosby announced that thanks to Mote’s champion supporters, the campaign surpassed its goal of $50 million in donor commitments — attaining $51,736,582— before concluding at Oceanic Evening. Oceans of Opportunity is meant to secure the funding support that Mote needs to achieve the goals in its 2020 Vision & Strategic Plan, which focuses on the following three areas:
- Support and expand Mote’s annual research and education operations;
- Spur long-term growth in the endowment to provide security and sustainability for Mote’s future;
- Finance construction of a new, state-of-the-art research facility at Mote’s property on Summerland Key, Florida.
“Tonight would have been the 100th birthday of William R. Mote, who always said ‘for generations we’ve been taking from the sea and now is the time to start giving back’ and that is what this campaign is all about, giving back,” said Crosby. “I want to sincerely thank everyone who is helping us achieve our goals outlined in our 2020 Vision & Strategic Plan to enhance our positive impact by 2020. The campaign is specifically designed to help us achieve our goals outlined in this plan and to grow our impact, and it would not be possible without all of you.”
Crosby introduced the Mote Leadership Circle, a special group of community members who understand the urgent threats facing the oceans and are providing critical financial support of $1 million or more to the Oceans of Opportunity campaign to help address these problems.
Mote offered a special thank you to the members of the Mote Leadership Circle, who all received a special custom gold shark pin made by Diamond Vault.
Mote’s Leadership Circle includes five donors who wish to remain anonymous and:
- Carol and Barney Barnett
- James D. and Pati Ericson
- Elizabeth Moore
- Robert and Anne Essner
- Maurice and Carolyn Cunniffe
Bob Essner, Chair of the Oceans of Opportunity campaign and Leadership Circle member, took the stage to give his thanks and then introduced Crosby back up to the stage.
"I am continually amazed and humbled by the generosity of the community," said Bob Essner, Chair of the Oceans of Opportunity campaign and Leadership Circle member. "Through this campaign Mote received support from all over the country and internationally from a wide variety of donors. I don't only think of this as a financial success, but as a huge success in connecting our local community with others around the world who all believe in one goal, to save our oceans. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for allowing us to incite change. It would not have been possible without each and every one of you, and I really mean that."
Mote publicly announced Oceans of Opportunity in January 2015. Now, the campaign’s success marks a pivotal moment for the Lab’s science and education missions, and will no doubt pave the future for Mote.
“The momentum generated by this campaign’s supporters has given Mote the opportunity to expand its research and education enterprise and propel this institution into a new era,” Crosby said. ”As Mote’s programs grow and prosper, we will be looking beyond the 2020 goals supported by the campaign, ultimately working to transform Mote’s Sarasota campus into an international marine science, technology and innovation park that will bring together scientists and entrepreneurs from around the world. Achieving this goal is going to require a significant change to our research infrastructure on City Island, which will require building a new informal education center on the mainland where it will serve as a new sixth campus for Mote and it will bring ocean literacy to our broader community.”
Guests enjoyed live music performed by Double Vision and a gourmet meal featuring sea purslane, a sea vegetable grown at Mote Aquaculture Park (MAP) using aquaponics – raising seafood while using the wastewater to fertilize salt-loving crops. The project uses eco-friendly technology developed at MAP to farm raise red drum, which is now being sold to restaurants from Sarasota to Tampa, with sea purslane and saltwort, edible sea vegetables that are now being plated in certain local restaurants and sold at the Sarasota Farmers Market.
Event Chair, Judy Graham introduced Amir Chokr from Diamond Vault, who raffled off an a bespoke diamond, sapphire, and gold brooch created by Diamond Vault exclusively for Oceanic Evening, which featured a custom cut blue topaz portal into a glistening sea of pave-set diamond branch coral - all against a deep sapphire seabed. Entirely handset in 18KT yellow and white gold, the one-of-a-kind brooch can also be worn as a lapel pin or as a necklace.
Oceanic Evening Chair Judy Graham, a Mote Trustee and Board Chairman Emeritus, who has given her time, energy and support to Mote for more than 30 years, closed the speaking portion of the night
“I am honored to be able to be part of the Mote family and to be the Chair of this year’s Oceanic Evening,” Graham said. “Each gala is an incredible experience to be a part of, but tonight really is a special night. This year’s gala celebrates the generosity of this community that has made the Oceans of Opportunity campaign such a remarkable success. What a fun night under the sea we have in store.”
Other attendees included Mark Pritchett, President and CEO of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation; Roxie Jerde, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County; Teri A. Hansen, President and CEO of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation; and Congressman Vern Buchanan.
Mote thanks the Oceanic Evening Aquamarine Sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Richard Donegan; Ms. Judy Graham; Mote Scientific Foundation; Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation; Diamond Vault; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Essner; Mr. and Mrs. Bayne Stevenson and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Cobin/Air Force Association; its Blue Topaz sponsors Sabal Trust Company; Steven Wagner- UBS Private Wealth Management; Ms. Jean Martin and Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Cunniffe; Gulf Coast Community Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Armitage and Mr. and Mrs. James Ericson; Paradise Advertising; Caldwell Trust Company; PNC Wealth Management; Dr. and Mrs. Michael P. Crosby; and Willis Smith Construction.
Mote would also like to thank its Table Sponsors The New Amsterdam Charitable Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Carter; Mike Murray and Sandi Stuart; Mr. and Mrs. David Dickson; Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Callanen; Mr. and Mrs. Trudo Letschert; John Lilly Strategic Insights; Mr. and Mrs. Nigel Mould; and Sarasota Ford; its Entertainment sponsor Lynches Pub & Grub; its exclusive media sponsor Sarasota Magazine; its menu sponsor Wilde Insurance Services; and its Program Sponsor Florida Blue Foundation.
