The Wetlands Institute’s 12th annual Summer Celebration at the ICONA in Avalon on Saturday, July 25 drew a whopping crowd of 230 and raised $370,000.

The event, held from 6-9pm, included a silent auction, live auction, live band, and good food. The celebration was sponsored by 56 organizations (corporate and individual). The attendees included staff, volunteers, board members, and supporters.

“The Summer Celebration provides a larger platform for the community and corporate sponsors to engage in our mission and our support,” said Dr. Lenore P. Tedesco, The Wetlands Institute’s executive director. “A lot of them come to this event first, and then they discover the institute, so it’s a two-way thing. And it’s certainly gotten larger over the years, that’s for sure.”

The funds raised will go toward conservation, research, and education of the marsh ecosystems.

Brian Taff of 6abc Action News served as the emcee of the night, having previously become involved with The Wetlands Institute organically. Also on hand was former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, who helped keep the energy high and raffled off Eagles tickets.

Among other items for bid were tickets to a Keith Urban concert at Hard Rock Atlantic City, VIP tickets for the Oct. 26 Eagles-Dallas Monday night game, courtside tickets to a 76ers game, and handmade items including a 15-inch wood-fired handmade vase, a Josef Kote 36-by-24-inch painting, and a cherry wooden bowl.

There was also an option for mission-based support where attendees could choose which programs their donations went toward.

“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and it supports our operation and our mission specifically: research, conservation, and education. This helps fund all of that,” Tedesco said.

“We are really excited to have the Summer Celebration event and the support of the community to help us advance the mission of The Wetlands Institute.”