Ocean Institute’s Home Raffle
DANA POINT, CA, November 9, 2009 – Eric Gage of Valley Village, California, a Los Angeles community north of Studio City, was the Grand Prize winner of the Ocean Institute’s 5th Annual Laguna Beach Million Dollar Home Raffle. His name was drawn along with nearly 150 other winners before a standing room only crowd of over 600 at the Ocean Institute on Saturday. When Gage was asked how he felt when he heard the news, he exclaimed, “It doesn’t get any better than this!” He now has the opportunity to choose either a Laguna Beach home valued at $1 million, or $1 million in cash.
One of the most successful on-going fundraisers in Southern California, the Laguna Beach Million Dollar Home Raffle has raised over $11 million to date and is one of few raffles in the state to have always awarded the grand prize. “It’s a lot of work,” observed raffle developer Greg Goggin, “but helping the Ocean Institute expand its ability to inspire school children to the wonder of the ocean is worth it.”
Other top winners included:
• Cathryn Kostick of San Clemente – Dream Vacation or $10,000 cash
• Maryanne Ely of Corona del Mar – Dream Vacation or $10,000 cash
• Lorna Gibbs and Donald McKee of Laguna Beach – a signed Wyland painting or $5,000 cash
• Wayne Rayfield of Dana Point -$10,000 cash in the “refer a friend” drawing; the friend, Charles McClung of Laguna Beach, also wins $10,000 cash
• Hai Pham of Costa Mesa – 2010 Prius or $15,000 cash
• Sarika Bhakta of Anaheim – 3-day stay in New York City (surprise drawing for those in attendance provided by Winspire)
Other prizes included South Coast Plaza gift certificates, Roxy/Quiksilver gift certificates, new computers and more cash.
The Laguna Beach Million Dollar Home Raffle will return to the Ocean Institute in 2010. To be placed on the mailing list for next year, visit www.ocean-institute.org or call (949) 496-2274. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the non-profit Ocean Institute.
Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean preservation through education, setting the standard for educational excellence and serving as a leading resource for universities, museums, teachers and all others seeking to increase their knowledge of the ocean. The Ocean Institute is open to the general public on weekends, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost: $6.50 adults, $4.50 children (ages 4-12), Ocean Institute members free. Unique maritime and ocean-themed items are available in the Chambers Gallery everyday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Institute address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point. Website: www.ocean-institute.org. Phone: (949) 496-2274.
2008 Business of the Year – The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce has selected the Ocean Institute as Dana Point’s “Business of the Year.” The award recognizes the positive contribution the Ocean Institute has made to the Dana Point community.
Submitted By;
Jim Graves
