'Splash Gala' Raises Funds for Roundhouse Aquarium
May 17, 2025 10:37AM ● By Mb News Staff
(Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation Executive Director Robin Curren at the Splash Gala in Manhattan Beach.)
More than 200 community and business leaders - comprising a veritable who's-who of Manhattan Beach - came together last week at the second biennial "Splash Gala" fundraiser to support the work of the Roundhouse Aquarium.
The gala, hosted by the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation in partnership with Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. (OTS), took place at the Manhattan Beach home of Ted Schwartz and Anne Kelly. Attendees - including local civic leaders, philanthropists, educators, and celebrities - enjoyed tropical-themed food and entertainment.
“The Splash event is a wonderful reminder of the incredible spirit of our South Bay community—people coming together to support something truly meaningful,” said Robin Curren, executive director of the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation. “As a fundraiser for the Roundhouse Aquarium, it highlights how important it is for us to help one another and invest in our local treasures. The South Bay is a special place because of its caring residents who believe in making a positive impact. Events like this not only raise vital funds but also strengthen bonds that make our community so resilient and inspiring.”
The evening was emceed by sports broadcaster Jaime Maggio, and featured special remarks by Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Notable guests in attendance included Sugar Ray Leonard, Howie Mandel, Rickea Jackson, Brad Williams, and Denise Austin.
(Sugar Ray Leonard, Robert Greenberg, Denise Austin, Howie Mandel, and Yossi Mintz)Organizers declined to provide an amount raised through the event. However, they noted that all proceeds from the evening directly benefit the Roundhouse Aquarium, helping to keep admission free to the public year-round, while supporting a wide range of STEM-based education programs. These programs serve more than 150,000 students, with 50% coming from low-income and vulnerable communities, and more than 80% from BIPOC or marginalized backgrounds—many of whom are experiencing the ocean for the first time.
(Michael Greenberg, Ted Schwartz, and Chase Greenberg)“Harrison would love the fact that kids from everywhere would get to really cherish and embrace what it is that the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation ended up bringing to the community,” added Michael Greenberg, founder of the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation and president of Skechers USA. “Harrison continues to touch people at the aquarium at the end of the pier, and that makes me happy. And that would make him happy.”
At the event, the Harrison Greenberg Legacy Award was presented to Ted Schwartz, a founding donor and passionate supporter of the Roundhouse Aquarium, in recognition of his longtime philanthropic commitment.
Roundhouse Aquarium Welcomes 300,000 Visitors Annually
Under the leadership of OTS, the Roundhouse Aquarium Teaching Center delivers NGSS-aligned programming, hands-on science activities, virtual learning, a traveling aquarium, and a Science Expert Series.
Since its renovation and reopening in 2018, the Roundhouse has welcomed over half a million visitors. The revitalization and beautification of the aquarium was made possible through the support of South Bay residents, the City of Manhattan Beach, the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation, and OTS.
The Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation, founded in 2015, honors the legacy of Harrison Greenberg by supporting environmental education and ocean conservation. The foundation led the Roundhouse Beautification Project to transform the aquarium into a world-class learning center and continues to champion programs that connect children to the wonders of the ocean.
The Roundhouse Aquarium, located at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier, welcomes more than 300,000 visitors annually and provides interactive experiences to promote ocean literacy.
To learn more about the Roundhouse Aquarium and OTS, visit: https://roundhouseaquarium.org/oceanographic-teaching-stations
