Colorful and acrobatic circus dancers arrive down the main staircase in The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk during the 12th annual “Cirque de la Mer” fund-raising dinner on April 28. More than 500 guests enjoyed artistic presentations – themed “Fire and Ice” – throughout the night. (Photography: Misty Enright Photography) Click on image to see a picture gallery from the event)
NORWALK, CT - A record $812,000 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 28.
This popular event – in its 12th 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 students and teachers in the tri-state area regardless of their ability to pay.
With cuts to educational budgets and the rising price of gasoline, schools are finding it increasingly difficult to afford field trips, said Aquarium President Jennifer Herring. 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 Teacher offerings.
Of the $812,000, $140,000 was raised from a “paddle auction” and through the generosity of two Aquarium trustees who pledged to match a portion of the bids. The $140,000 will be specifically used to help schools pay for buses for field trips to the Aquarium.
This year’s “Cirque de la Mer,” themed “Fire & Ice,” was held primarily under “the big top” outside the Aquarium’s main entrance. More than 500 guests enjoyed an elegant evening of cocktails, a sit-down dinner, and silent and live auctions.
The evening’s spotlight went to recipients of the Aquarium’s 2011 Red Apple Awards, which annually honor companies, organizations and individuals who share The Maritime Aquarium’s concern for the natural world and environmental education. This year’s recipients are the Erdmann family – through the work of longtime Aquarium volunteer John Erdmann Sr. of New Canaan and his son, Jeff, of Wilson Point in Norwalk, an Aquarium trustee – and Leonard Tannenbaum of Greewnwich, CEO of Fifth Street Finance Corp.
“ ‘Cirque de la Mer’ celebrates the colorful circus of the sea and the sense of wonder about the natural world we instill in students who visit The Maritime Aquarium,” Herring told the sell-out audience. “Tonight’s honorees have helped us do that in several different ways.”
John Erdmann Sr. has been a dedicated Aquarium volunteer for all of the facility’s 23 years, giving up more than 5,400 hours of his time to help visitors learn about the marine life and natural importance of Long Island Sound. He and his wife, Tanis, were among the charter members of the Aquarium’s Legacy of the Sound Society, whose members have included the Aquarium in their will or trust. Jeff Erdmann has served on the Aquarium’s Board of Trustees for six years, bringing an innate love of the water and instilling this same appreciation in his own sons, while championing for the best interests of the Aquarium.
Leonard Tannenbaum has been a member of the Aquarium for nearly a decade, bringing his three sons to the popular attraction regularly. In spring 2010, Len spearheaded a fundraising effort to help launch the Aquarium’s newest exhibit, “Meerkats,” and that commitment helped to make possible the opening of one the Aquarium’s most popular exhibits to date.
Master of ceremonies for the event was television personality and producer Gordon Elliott, who also served as auctioneer during the night’s live auction. Chairmen of the organizing committee were Kelly and John Considine of Stamford.
Contributing sponsors were Diageo, Moffly Media and TFI Envision Inc.
For more information about The Maritime Aquarium’s Red Apple Awards or the “Cirque de la Mer” event, call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2277.
