February 22nd, for the 33rd year in a row, divers are strapping
on their scuba gear and leaping into the Avalon harbor to remove
trash and lost items. What began in the ‘70s
as a simple altruistic action by Catalina’s local divers has since blossomed
into a massive event for divers from hundreds of locales. In recent years, 500+
divers have taken part in the “Avalon Underwater Cleanup,” all of them
volunteering their time and skill to make the Avalon harbor a cleaner place.
No longer just a cleanup, the affair has become one of the
most well-known dive events in Southern California. During the day, the scuba divers
fish out trash and detritus from the harbor, also receiving prizes and gift
bags as they go. At night, Avalon turns
into a gathering place for divers and non-divers alike to relax, swap stories,
drink, and eat in good company.
The “Avalon Underwater Cleanup” needs sponsors, though,
because all proceeds for the event go to both the “Robert R. Given Fund for
Ocean Conservation and Educational Outreach” and the USC Catalina Hyperbaric
Chamber. There are three tiers of sponsorship for the event. The “participant” tier
requires a donation of gear or prizes totaling between $50 and $399. The “major
sponsor” tier requires a total donation of between $400 and $749. In order to
become a “primary sponsor,” $750 plus worth of donations is required.
Current sponsors who have already jumped to help include companies like Scuba.com, which has donated enough to qualify for primary sponsor status. Other companies that have done the same to help the cleanup include TUSA, “Blackbeard’s Cruises,” and the Trident Diving Group, just to name a few of the sponsors. Sponsors not only have their company names featured on the Catalina Island Conservancy’s website, but have their flyers and branded items included in giveaway bags on the day of the event, plus general exposure to every dive club and diver in the harbor.
In order
to become a sponsor and help not only the cleanup, but the “Ocean Conservation
Fund” and the Hyperbaric Chamber, follow this link to obtain a sponsorship
form.
Fundraisers and volunteers are also greatly needed both now
and the day of the event, and you can sign up for either by going to the
Catalina Island Conservancy website located here. Considering how soon the event is, it may be too late to sign up for sponsorship or fundraising, however, it's never too late to join as a diver, or even just to head to Catalina to take part in the celebration of diver unity and a clean environment.
