The Captain Planet Foundation presented its annual Benefit Gala, one of the Southeast’s largest eco-benefits, on Dec. 7 at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta. The charitable evening recognizes extraordinary environmental stewardship and change-making and raised $500,000 for the Foundation’s mission to support hands-on environmental projects and environmental learning strategies through grant giving and Foundation programs.
Media mogul Ted Turner is recognized during the Captain Planet Foundation’s annual gala on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, in Atlanta. (John Amis/AP Images for The Captain Planet Foundation)
Actor/environmentalist Adrian Grenier poses with “Captain Planet” at the Captain Planet Foundation’s annual gala on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, in Atlanta. (John Amis/AP Images for The Captain Planet Foundation)
Adrian Grenier, actor (“Entourage”), filmmaker, musician, environmentalist and philanthropist, received the Superhero for Earth award for his dedication to ocean health. Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, a student leader in the 1960s civil rights movement, pastor emeritus of Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, and environmental justice activist, received the Exemplar award. Teenage environmentalists Robbie Bond, Dyson Chee, Coda Christopherson, Chloe Mei Espinosa and Steff McDermott received the Young Superhero for Earth award. CNN anchor Christi Paul emceed.
Civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, left, poses with actor/comedian Chris Tucker during the Captain Planet Foundation’s annual gala on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, in Atlanta. (John Amis/AP Images for The Captain Planet Foundation)
Teenage environmentalists posing with Captain Planet are from left, Steff McDermot, Robbie Bond, Dyson Chee, Chloe Mei Espinosa, as well as actor/environmentalist Adrian Grenier, right, at the Captain Planet Foundation’s annual gala on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, in Atlanta. (John Amis/AP Images for The Captain Planet Foundation)
“Green carpet” arrivals included media mogul Ted Turner, actor/comedian Chris Tucker, Grenier, and Durley, among others. Guests mingled with celebrities and civic leaders, enjoyed live musical entertainment, bid on stellar live and silent auction items featuring one-of-a-kind trips and eco-luxury experiences, and enjoyed a cocktail reception and dinner.
Actor/environmentalist Adrian Grenier, left, and media mogul Ted Turner pose at the Captain Planet Foundation’s annual gala on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, in Atlanta. (John Amis/AP Images for The Captain Planet Foundation)
Actor/comedian Chris Tucker and actor/environmentalist Adrian Grenier, right, pose at the Captain Planet Foundation’s annual gala on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, in Atlanta. (John Amis/AP Images for The Captain Planet Foundation)
The Gala’s premiere sponsors are Delta Air Lines and the Isdell Family Foundation. Presenting sponsors are Atlanta magazine; Davis, Pickren, Seydel & Sneed; Jane Smith Turner Foundation; and Turner Foundation, Inc. Sustaining partners are Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation; Dole Packaged Foods, LLC; Drummond; Eventologie; Spanx; Ted’s Montana Grill; The Coca-Cola Company; and Voya Financial. Gala co-chairs are Roy Neill & Pamela Atkins.
About the Captain Planet Foundation:
Based on the critically-acclaimed animated TV series “Captain Planet and the Planeteers,” CPF was co-founded in 1991 by Turner and producer Barbara Pyle. Since then, it has played a critical role in helping to ensure that the next generation of business leaders and policy makers are environmentally literate citizens who leverage technology and information to manage and protect the land, air and water. CPF has brought together public agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations and foundations to help youth develop into environmental stewards and active global citizens: individuals who think critically and collaborate nationally and internationally, in projects that benefit their health, schools and communities.
CPF is a grant-making foundation that has funded over 2,100 hands-on environmental education projects with schools and non-profits that serve children in 50 U.S. states and 26 countries. In addition to its Grants Program, the Captain Planet Foundation also operates Project Learning Garden, with more than 360 school gardens in metro Atlanta and across the lower 48 states; Project Hero, which is challenging kids to save endangered species across the country; and the Institute at CPF, which is training Georgia educators in science-based outdoor learning strategies and lessons. For more information: www.captainplanetfoundation.org.
