Legoland Sea Life Aquarium Auctions Tony Hawk Lego Art to Celebrate 1st Birthday

By Beth Downing

Carlsbad, CA - – August 11 was SEA LIFE™ Aquarium’s first birthday and LEGOLAND® California Resort celebrated with a ceremony unveiling the Celebrity Mosaic Project to benefit Surfrider Foundation. Ocean-themed LEGO® mosaics designed and built by some of today’s hottest celebrities are on display at the Resort and listed online for auction at www.charitybuzz.com now through Sept. 9.

Celebrity participants include Al Pacino, Brooke Shields, Heidi Klum, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Hoppus, Molly Shannon; Peter Facinelli, Thomas Gibson, Tom DeLonge and Tony Hawk. More mosaics will be added to the project.

More than 30 children from Kids for Peace were special guests at the unveiling ceremony where the staff of SEA LIFE Aquarium was presented with a LEGO birthday cake and recognized by General Manager Peter Ronchetti for a year of hard work and dedication. Alexis Henry also spoke on behalf of Surfrider Foundation.

“This partnership with SEA LIFE is a perfect fit,” said Henry about the synergy between the two organizations. “They are engaging children and showing them that no matter how old you are, you can do something to protect your oceans and coastlines.”

“Our goal here at SEA LIFE is to educate children in a fun way, inspiring them to care for our oceans,” said Peter Ronchetti, General Manager of LEGOLAND California Resort. “It is with that in mind that we decided to team up with Surfrider Foundation for the Celebrity Mosaic Project – they have been dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for 25 years!”

The Surfrider Foundation is one of the world’s largest non-profit organizations dedicated to the protection and preservation of our oceans, waves and beaches. Now in its 25th year, the Foundation continues to carry out initiatives for clean water, free and open access, and the preservation of coastlines through its global grassroots networks made up of all types of ocean lovers.

Mosaics vary in theme from a mermaid created by Heidi Klum to a fish on a skateboard by Tony Hawk, a smiling sting ray by Thomas Gibson and a kissy-faced blowfish by Jamie Lee Curtis. Most of the celebrities recruited their children to help in the design and creation of their mosaics.

In addition to the Celebrity Mosaic Project, SEA LIFE is hosting a special Surfrider Foundation Weekend August 15 and 16 featuring a Surfrider Foundation-inspired craft for kids; a Surfrider Foundation education booth and a ticket offer for Surfrider Foundation Members. For more information, visit www.surfrider.org or www.sealifeus.com.

About LEGOLAND California Resort
LEGOLAND® California Resort is the premiere California destination for families with young children and is home to both LEGOLAND® California, a 128-acre family theme park and SEA LIFE™ Carlsbad, CA, a two-story 36,000 square-foot interactive Aquarium. LEGOLAND California features more than 60 rides, shows and attractions geared towards children ages 2 to 12. SEA LIFE provides an educational and interactive dynamic unlike any other with play zones, fun facts and quiz trails - adults and kids alike will marvel at the majesty and creativity of this unique Aquarium experience. Both attractions are owned by Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest attractions operator in the world. For the most current information, log on to www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO.

About Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Now in its 25th year, the Surfrider Foundation has grown from a small group of dedicated surfers in Malibu, California to a global movement made up of over 50,000 members and 90 chapters worldwide. For more information visit us at www.surfrider.org.

About CharityBuzz
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There is nothing more important than the work non-profits undertake. At charitybuzz, we believe that cause marketing can be both effective and trend setting. Our innovative auctions reach millions on a global basis. Our growing community of bidders are driven to do well, affluent, well educated, well informed and brand loyal.

To view Legoland Sea Life Aquarium's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-1374-SEA_LIFE_Aquarium_at_LEGOLAND_California_Resort