The Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation with Oceanographic Teaching Stations, the nonprofit that operates the Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach, raised more than $200,000 for the aquarium’s marine and environmental science programs on May 13, 2023 during the aquarium’s first Splash fundraiser. In this 2023 file photo, Marissa Wu, programs and operations director for the Roundhouse Aquarium, with marine life on display at the Manhattan Beach site. (Photo courtesy of Roundhouse Aquarium)
More than $200,000 in fundraising will help support marine and environmental science programs at Manhattan Beach’s Roundhouse Aquarium.
The money was brought in by the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation and Oceanographic Teaching Stations, the nonprofit that operates Roundhouse, during the aquarium’s first “Splash” celebration earlier this month.
The donations will help the aquarium continue its educational programs around climate change and its impact on the marine environment, plastic pollution and more for students and anyone who visits Roundhouse.
Funds will also go toward maintaining the facility, caring for sea creatures, fostering field trips for children in neighboring communities and keeping entry to Roundhouse free.
The recent Splash event also commemorated the fifth anniversary of the aquarium’s reopening.
Since the Roundhouse’s 2018 renovation and reopening, more than half a million people have visited the aquarium, from school field trips to virtual classes and live ocean animal presentations. Roundhouse staff have educated more than 150,000 students, 25% of whom had never seen the ocean before visiting the aquarium, which is at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier.
The Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation was established in 2015 in memory of the son of Skechers President and co-founder Michael Greenberg to share his love of the ocean with generations to come. Inspired by the younger Greenberg’s formative experiences at the Roundhouse, the foundation’s creation led to the Roundhouse beautification project that revamped the marine learning center.
The nonprofit provides ongoing support to the Roundhouse Aquarium and its programs.
“Harrison’s childhood was centered on the ocean, so when we wanted to honor his life, it was fitting to continue his legacy through the Roundhouse Aquarium,” the elder Greenberg said in a press release. “It’s imperative that we continue to protect our aquarium from the elements, and ensure that it remains as a center of learning for children for future generations.”
