THE SAND DOLLAR GUILD's 5th ANNUAL CHOPPER DROP BENEFITING THE OCEAN INSTITUTE OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA

PHOTOS OF THE SAND DOLLAR GUILD's 5th ANNUAL
CHOPPER DROP BENEFITING THE OCEAN INSTITUTE IN DANA POINT

Photos taken and donated by Alan Wickstrom

DANA POINT, CA - SEPTEMBER 27, 2008 - Fun was had by all at the Sand Dollar Guild's 5th Annual Chopper Drop benefiting the Ocean Institute on a beautiful Sunday afternoon on the front lawn of the Laguna Cliff Marriot Resort in Dana Point. This event is the largest annual fundraising effort benefiting the Ocean Institute, an education and research facility that has been teaching children about ocean stewardship for 30 years. Last year's event raised over $50,000 and benefited the Ocean Institute's Seaside Learning Center. More than 100,000 kindergarten through twelfth grade students and 6,000 teachers annually participate in the Institute's 61 award-winning programs.

1st PRIZE WINNER: Sue Walshe - A trip to Fiji for two

2nd PRIZE WINNER: Pat MacDonald - A sunset cruise on the Tall Ship, The Spirit of Dana Point, and up to thirty of her friends

The event was MCed by Jack and the colors were presented by a local Boy Scout Troop, with SOCSA's Julie Wickstrom singing the Star-Spangled Banner. The event concluded with a helicopter flying over Lantern Bay Park, opening its doors and dropping hundreds of specially numbered golf balls. The 3 numbered balls closest to the pin determine the winners. This year's winners included 1st PRIZE WINNER: Sue Walshe - A trip to Fiji for two; 2nd PRIZE WINNER: Pat MacDonald - A sunset cruise on the Tall Ship, The Spirit of Dana Point, and up to thirty of her friends and 3rd PRIZE WINNER: Eileen Breier winner of $1,000.00. Many other prize winners were from the gift-basket "colored ball" drop and the "What a Deal" raffle prizes.

The Sand Dollar Guild is a non-profit fundraising organization benefting the Ocean Institute. Now in its 20th year, the Sand Dollar Guild has contributed over $900,000 to the Institute and its programs. Proceeds from this year's event will benefit the construction of a new Seaside Learning Center at the Ocean Institute. The new waterside facility will include a Science Lab, Discovery Pool, Boat House and more. More information at:

www.SandDollarGuild.org
www.Ocean-Institute.org/

These photos were taken by Alan Wickstrom, president of SOCSA Foundation - South Orange County School of the Arts - at Dana Hills High School, program and web chair of Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club and owner of BuildingOnline, a leading web design agency located in Dana Point. Alan and his wife, Liz, are very proud of their daughter, Julie, who sang today's National Anthem.

We invite you to BUY SOCSA TICKETS ONLINE (only $12 each!) to see their daughter and the many talented stars of Dana Hill High School's Award-Winning SOCSA program as they peform in SOCSA's Fall Season that includes, "The Crucible" in October, "Broadway Night" in November and SOCSA's Musical, "Bye-Bye Birdie" in December. Tickets are just $12 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens and all performances are held in The Porthole Theater inside of Dana Hills High School. All proceeds from these productions go to SUPPORT ARTS EDUCATION at Dana Hill's SOCSA Academy.

CLICK TO ENLARGE THE PHOTOS BELOW... ENJOY!