Maritime Aquarium Names Recipients of Red Apple Awards

From the Maritime Aquarium:

Three champions of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk and its environmental-education programs are recipients of the aquarium’s 17th Red Apple Awards, to be presented on Thursday, April 21.

Bank of America, the Burnham family of New Canaan and State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff will be honored during “Cirque de la Mer,” the annual fund-raising event of the Maritime Aquarium that honors companies, organizations and individuals who share the aquarium’s concern for the natural world and environmental education.

“From serving as political advocates and neighbors to education innovators and philanthropic supporters, our three recipients are worthy of recognition,” said Dr. Brian Davis, president of the Maritime Aquarium. “These recipients have enabled us to transform the lives of students, teachers and all of our guests through our education, research and conservation initiatives. They have played a vital role in who we are and ultimately who we will become. They are worthy of recognition and we look forward to doing so on April 21.”

Bank of America has been a loyal friend of the Maritime Aquarium for more than a decade, offering generous support through exhibit and event sponsorships. Most recently, Bank of America sponsored R/V Spirit of the Sound’s inaugural 2015 season. The aquarium also has benefited from the service of Bank of America executives on the aquarium’s Board of Trustees, including, most recently, William Tommins and Richard W. Clemens II.

Bill Burnham returned to the Maritime Aquarium’s Board of Trustees in 2013 after first serving from 1989-1999. He currently provides stong leadership as chair of the trustees’ Education Committee. He and his wife, Alice, were instrumental in the furnishings of the aquarium’s new hybrid-electric research vessel, R/V Spirit of the Sound™, and in support of Whole School Partnerships, which integrates The Maritime Aquarium’s educational programming into the curricula of participating area schools.

Senator Duff of Norwalk is a tremendous supporter of the Maritime Aquarium and has been instrumental in helping to secure millions of dollars in state bond funds for much-needed infrastructure repairs and facility enhancements to the Aquarium. Duff serves on the aquarium’s Board of Advisors and remains a strong advocate for Long Island Sound.

The annual “Cirque de la Mer” fundraising evening supports the Maritime Aquarium’s Red Apple Fund for Student Enrichment and educational initiatives for the entire Aquarium. Funds raised at the gala also help to make the aquarium’s unique marine science and environmental education programs available to students and teachers in the tri-state area who otherwise may not be able to participate.

The April 21 event will be held primarily under “the big top” outside the aquarium’s main entrance. Guests will enjoy a sit-down dinner, silent and live auctions, a one-of-a-kind cocktail party throughout the Aquarium galleries and the event’s awards ceremony.

Online bidding is expected to begin Wednesday, April 13 on amazing experiences and excellent merchandise in “Cirque de la Mer’s” silent auction. Online bidding, available through the Maritime Aquarium website, ends at 8:30 p.m. on April 21.

The media sponsor of “Cirque de la Mer” is New Canaan-Darien-Rowayton Magazine/Moffly.

A limited number of tickets remain for the event. Interested individual must contact the Maritime Aquarium via (203) 852-0700, ext. 2277, or email klowe@maritimeaquarium.org with questions about the 2016 Red Apple Awards, the “Cirque de la Mer” event or the Red Apple Fund for Student Enrichment.