Legion Manifesto
The Ocean Needs Most
My life these days can be summed up by one legend and one comic strip:
“When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself.” Jacques-Yves Cousteau
“There is no heavier burden than a great potential.” Linus
When Michelle and I stepped onto the beach in Monterey in 2010 I felt that our lives would never be the same. As I launch 2012 with a 6:00 AM flight on New Year’s Day to American Samoa I realize I never could have imagined the scope of that change.
My commitment to a new career as an ocean ambassador was not a step Michelle and I took lightly. Once the choice was made I never failed to receive an encouraging e-mail, article or phone call at just the right moment to reinforce the decision. We love what we are doing, and at the core of every initiative is the drive to create opportunities for others to experience the same emotional connection to their communities and ocean that we do.
The ocean and the waters around us do not need one hero. They need each of us to discover and embrace our unique power to positively impact our ocean and our world. Many of us grew up with comic book inspired dreams of becoming heroes fighting for the people, places and values we hold dear. Inevitably the strongest heroes and heroines were those who came together, combining their skills and resources to champion a cause too immense for a single hero. Drawing from that childhood passion to accomplish great things I am proud to launch the Legion of Ocean Heroes.
The Legion of Ocean Heroes are the patrons that create a supplemental, financial support system that enables me to pursue the mission to positively impact how we feel, think and act towards our oceans. Whether the initiative is new opportunities for a small school in South Jersey or the South Pacific these Ocean Heroes help me remain independent enough to pursue the partnerships that compliment and enhance the work we are doing from aquatic expeditions to ocean conservation programs. The goal is to have the freedom to participate in great projects without being solely limited by a partner or beneficiary’s financial limitations. When the goals align I want to contribute equally to underserved communities in American Samoa, global programs like Special Olympics or great initiatives by small groups in the US or abroad.
Please consider making a recurring monthly contribution at any level to be part of the amazing experiences and opportunities unfolding before us all in 2012.
I would love to talk to you personally, so feel free to e-mail or call at any time.
All recurring monthly donations are tax deductible and go directly to Bruckner Chase Ocean Positive, Inc. {A non-profit corporation} to help us expand our reach while developing new initiatives without being limited by agency budgets or lengthy grant application cycles. Any and every amount will help to inspire countless other heroes to protect their communities and the oceans we all love.
- Ocean Heroes contributing $5 - $10 per month will receive one of two sized Samoan tapas prints recognizing the ancient connection we all share to our environment and our ocean.
- Ocean Heroes contributing $25 per month will receive a copy of one of the winning films from the BLUE International Film Festival highlighting one of an infinite number of stories connecting us all to the waters around us.
- Ocean Heroes contributing $50 - $75 per month will receive one of two sized Samoan ‘Ava bowls, a central part to one of the most hallowed ceremonies in Samoan culture dating back millennium.
- Ocean Heroes contributing $100 per month will receive a specially designed, ocean inspired sculpture from an artist in Mississippi that honors my connection to the South and celebrates an ocean connection that exists regardless of how distant the waves may be.
- Ocean Heroes contributing $500 per month can be my guest at the BLUE International Film Festival in Monterey, or they can receive a special behind the scenes experience at the National Aquarium in Baltimore or the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey. You may also choose to schedule me to speak at the organization or group of your choice anywhere in the United States.
- Ocean Heroes contributing $1,000 per month can join me on an upcoming trip to American Samoa, or they can elect to be the patron who enables an American Samoa Ocean Hero to visit the East Coast to further their training as a lifeguard or budding ocean scientist.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE AND JOIN
