Pacific Marine Mammal Center Announces 50th Anniversary Gala

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—It is an auspicious year for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Not only is 2021 the nonprofit's 50th year fulfilling its life-saving mission, but it also saw the passing of co-founder John Cunningham in January. The center will celebrate what Cunningham and Jim Stauffer began five decades ago at its 50th-anniversary gala, which will be at the Festival of Arts grounds on November 7.

In those 50 years of ocean and marine mammal conservation, the center has grown into a hub for education and scientific research. Its educational mandate began because Cunningham taught science at Laguna Beach High School. It has grown to include long-distance learning in children's hospitals across the country.

The public is welcome to the visitors' yard at the PMMC from 10 to 4 nearly every day. Summer and after-school programs further the mission to inspire ocean conservation. Doctoral students researching spikes in sea lion cancer and other crucial anomalies are based at the facility.

The PMMC's rescue teams work to disentangle sea mammals from fishing line and aid the ailing who are too big to bring to the center.

Over 50 years of service, more than 10,000 sea lions and elephant, fur and harbor seals have been tended at the red barn in Laguna Canyon. But the first ailing sea lions were nursed back to health in Jim Stauffer's backyard pool.

It all started in 1971 when a little girl approached Stauffer, then a Newport Beach lifeguard, to report a seal on the beach. Stauffer put the sick pup in his truck, but it leaped out. Thinking it was okay, he went on his way. But the next day he went right back, and sure enough found the sea lion still on the beach. He took it to a vet, and then nursed it back to health.

Cunningham, who was a summer lifeguard, joined Jim's efforts. They received veterinary expertise from Dr. Rose Ekeberg of Laguna Canyon Animal Hospital. And that was the beginning of Friends of the Sea Lion, which was California's first licensed mammal rescue.

The name was changed to Pacific Marine Mammal Center in 2005 to reflect its expanded mission of scientific research through collaboration and conservation—and to include all the stranded species it rescues.

While the November gala and live auction will be in person, the annual silent auction takes place fully online for anyone to join. Bidding opens October 22 at 6 a.m. Pacific time, and ends 6 p.m. during the party on November 7. Items already up on the silent auction block include jewelry, artwork, staycations, tours, signed memorabilia, with more added daily.

Consider donating items to the silent or live auction, or sponsoring the party itself. Perks are numerous, but most enticing of all are invitations to attend releases of patients healthy enough to return to the wild.

Join in person, donate or bid on the silent auction virtually—however you wish to celebrate the inspiring life of John Cunningham and work begun 50 years ago.

And always, like the little girl in 1971 who started it all, call the center at (949) 494-3050 if you spot a stranded seal or sea lion.

Read also:

Pacific Marine Mammal Center Nears Goal With Fish Drive