WELL/BEINGS Seventh Annual Full Circle Benefit Gala Raises $600,000 for Mangroves
“Tonight was an amazing reminder that we cannot do this alone, but together we can inspire and impact future generations… The mangroves we save today will help protect the lives of people and animals tomorrow.”
WELL/BEINGS Seventh Annual Full Circle Benefit Gala L/R: WELL/BEINGS Co-founder, Amanda Hearst Rønning, Emcee, Actor, Advocate, and Entrepreneur, Oliver Trevena, Co-founder, Breanna Schultz and DJ Mei Kwok
$600,000 WAS RAISED ON Ocotber 25th, 2024. WELL/BEINGS SEVENTH ANNUAL FULL CIRCLE BENEFIT GALA
Celebrating the importance of ocean health for the Save the Mangroves, Save the Ocean Campaign WELL/BEINGS surpassed last year’s funds raised at the Seventh Annual Full Circle Benefit Gala held at Chelsea Factory in New York City. Fernando Garcia, Creative Director, Oscar de la Renta was awarded WELL/BEINGS One Planet Welfare award along with activist, philanthropist, Maria Villalpando, of FUNDEMAR, Dominican Republic.
Maria Villalpando, FUNDEMAR, Dominican Republic and WELL/BEINGS Warrior Award Honoree
Fernando Garcia, Creative Director, Oscar de la Renta honored with WELL/BEINGS One Planet Welfare Award
The evening was emceed by actor and Caliwater founder, Oliver Trevena with special culinary guest, bronx-collective, and chefs Jon Gray, Pierre Serrao and Lester Walker of Ghetto Gastro. Notable guests include Katie Sturino, Erica Pelosini, Micaela Erlanger, Sai De Silva, Oralia Villarreal, Dr. Lara Devgan, Arden Wohl, Meruert Tolegen, Jordan Schultz, Al Harrington, Ubah Hassan, Sai de Silva, Reisha Perlmutter, Cyril Gutsch, and Ferderico Tarditi, Parley for the Oceans, Howard and Sheri Schultz, and Director, Joachim Rønning.
Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails upon arrival sponsored by Tequila KOMOS, Bacardi, Tito’s, RAEN and Patland Estates Wine, Equiano Rum, and Caliwater at the former studio of photographer, Annie Liebowitz, the Chelsea Factory.
An elevated plant-based, multi-course dinner inspired by the Caribbean was curated by Ghetto Gastro, and was served underneath a massive 40-foot art installation created entirely with Parley Ocean PlasticTM in partner with Parley for the Oceans and leading fashion event and production group, BEDNARK whose leadership shared, “Bednark is pleased to partner with WELL/BEINGS to support their mission and ongoing sustainability initiatives. Heading into its 18th year, Bednark is a leader in cutting edge activations that feature authentic, in person experiences. We believe sustainable technical production is the future and are proud to be working with WELL/BEINGS.”
The evening continued on as guests danced with music performance by DJ Mei Kwok, and were treated to a late-night performance by mentalist, the “Foodie Magician,” Josh Beckerman.
100% of the proceeds raised by WELL/BEINGS will provide critical support to restore and conserve mangroves in the Dominican Republic, Vieques, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands, along with direct grants for student scholarship, resources, and educational support. Mangroves are the unsung heroes of ocean health, making a holistic impact on animals, people, and the planet. They absorb 10x more carbon than any terrestrial rainforest and 3-5x more carbon than the rainforest, trap pollutants headed for the ocean, and protect coastal communities from increasing extreme weather like hurricanes and tsunami, while also providing sustainable livelihoods.
What did wELL/BEINGS co-founders have to say?
“Mangroves are one of the most effective nature-based solutions to combating climate change, and most people don’t even know what a mangrove is. The mangroves we save today will help protect the lives of people and animals tomorrow. And this work, our work every day and here tonight isn’t just about science or economics, it’s about love. Love for our ocean, love for the wildlife and communities who rely on them. Tonight was an amazing reminder that we cannot do this alone, but together we can inspire and impact future generations,” said Amanda Hearst Rønning, WELL/BEINGS Co-founder.
““When I think about our Save the Mangroves, Save the Ocean campaign, I don’t just see mangroves – I see hope. I see thousands of mangrove seedlings we’ve planted across the Caribbean. I see the resilience of communities - incredible people coming together to protect their home from severe storms impacted by climate change and working for a better planet for us all,” said Breanna Schultz, WELL/BEINGS Co-founder.
