Ocean Institute Receives Make More Happen Award, $10,000 Donation

DANA POINT, CA — Dana Point's Ocean Institute received a donation of $10,000 for demonstrating its commitment to improving the local community, officials reported, Tuesday. The donation, from the Robert E. Harris Insurance Agency, Inc. through Liberty Mutual® and Safeco Insurance® Make More Happen™ Awards will directly benefit the nonprofit organization who uses the ocean as their classroom to inspire children to learn.

The Ocean Institute has seen more than its share of struggles during the coronavirus shutdown. The recent loss of their floating classroom, the brig Pilgrim, was devastating to the organization and supporters.

The institute typically educates 100,000 children, teachers, parents, and visitors annually through over 60 marine science and maritime history programs. Of those, 10,000 are from underserved communities. With the coronavirus shutdown, those classes have come to a grinding halt.

The Ocean Institute provides K-12 students with access to the ocean who may not have it otherwise due to financial hurdles and logistic constraints, a spokesperson for the Robert Harris Insurance Agency said. They learned about the Ocean Institute from a longtime friend and fellow volunteer, Steve Harris, agent at Robert E. Harris Insurance Agency, became involved with the institute because of its impact to empower these students to learn and lead, both about the ocean and in life.

The $10,000 Make More Happen Award will be used to provide the most severely underserved students in Orange County with first-time, powerful ocean education that broadens their horizons. The funds would cover the program fees and transportation costs for 10 classes, once social distancing rules relax.

“Thanks to the Ocean Institute, we see students take a real interest in the sciences and come back to the Ocean Institute seeking more education and experience,” said Harris. “Because we feel so personally committed to the Ocean Institute, we are truly grateful to Liberty Mutual and Safeco for the Make More Happen Award for the incredible opportunity to bring awareness to the Ocean Institute and to provide them with the much-needed funds to support their important work.”

By visiting, www.agentgiving.com community members can read the full story about Ocean Institute and Robert E. Harris Insurance Agency’s work together and what the $10,000 donation provided by Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance will be used for.

“Our agents truly carry the ball when it comes to stepping up and volunteering for important causes in their local communities so we are pleased to support their game-changing dedication to the nonprofit organizations they support,” said Deborah Kammeyer, Liberty Mutual Western Region Territory Manager for Southern California. “The Make More Happen program gives our agents an opportunity to make an even greater impact. We hope it inspires local residents to get out and support local charities.”

The Ocean Institute is still struggling, financially, during the shutdown as their largest fundraising activity of the year was forced to close. If you would care to donate toward their cause, be sure and virtually attend their May 5 Giving Tuesday event.