A record $800,000 will be available to help present The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s environmental education programming to students in the tri-state area, following the Aquarium’s annual Cirque de la Mer fund-raiser on April 23.
This popular event – in its 16th year – supports The Maritime Aquarium’s Red Apple Fund for Student Enrichment, which helps to make the Aquarium’s unique marine-science and environmental-education programs available to schools in the tri-state area regardless of their ability to pay.
With cuts to educational budgets, schools are finding it increasingly difficult to afford field trips, said Aquarium President Dr. Brian Davis. Proceeds from Cirque de la Mer are used toward financial assistance for schools’ transportation costs, admissions, IMAX movies and programs conducted both at the Aquarium and in schools through the Aquarium’s Traveling Teachers.
Of the $800,000, $120,000 was raised specifically to help schools meet the costs of busing for field trips to the Aquarium.
This year’s Cirque de la Mer was themed “The Circle of Life.” The 400 guests enjoyed cocktails in the Aquarium galleries, an elegant sit-down dinner, and silent and live auctions.
Chairing the 2015 event were Morten Arntzen, a Maritime Aquarium trustee, and his wife, Carolyn, of New Canaan.
For more information about Cirque de la Mer or the Red Apple Fund for Student Enrichment, call The Maritime Aquarium at (203) 852-0700, ext. 2277.
First Photo: Rob & Kit Rohn wtih family
Second Photo From left: Hannah, Sarah, Michael and Nancy Herde of Boston, Mass. (formerly of New Canaan); Dr. Brian Davis, president of The Maritime Aquarium; Louise and Michael Widland of Norwalk; and Kit and Rob Rohn of Darien. The Herde and Rohn families, and Widland’s firm of Shipman & Goodwin, LLP, are the recipients of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s 2015 Red Apple Awards, presented during the Aquarium’s major fundraising gala, “Cirque de la Mer,” on April 23. Michael Herde is a former member of the Aquarium’s Board of Trustees. Rohn (chairman) and Widland (secretary) are current board members.