Congratulations! Laura James wins Cox Conserves Heroes award, gets $ for Sustainable West Seattle

Just got the news, and that photo, from a proud Laura James – best known here as “Diver Laura,” who has often shared video of amazing underwater sights as well as news of cleanups on sea and shore: She won the Cox Conserves Heroes award, which means a total of $10,000 for Sustainable West Seattle, her chosen nonprofit! We first told you in June that she was a finalist in this year’s contest. Then, voting ensued – till one week ago – and today, Laura was announced as the winner. (She was the only West Seattleite among the finalists, who are all shown here; the other two will each earn a $2,500 grant for their chosen nonprofit.)

(Laura with Cate White, Sustainable WS Tox-Ick fighter)
ADDED 9:49 PM: We asked Laura for a comment. Her reply:

A huge thank you to KIRO 7, Cox Enterprises and the Trust for Public Land for helping fight the Tox-Ick Monster! Many many thanks to my Friends and Family – Facebook or otherwise – who voted, My dive buddies who make the dives possible; a special thank you to Kelle Fitzpatrick for nominating me; and West Seattle Blog for your relentless support! I could not have done it without all of you!

“Tox-Ick,” you might recall, is the “face” of the Sustainable WS toxic-runoff-fighting campaign (read about the “monster” here and about simple actions YOU can take to fight it).

ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: Here’s the official announcement, now published on the Cox Conserves Heroes website.

10 Replies to "Congratulations! Laura James wins Cox Conserves Heroes award, gets $ for Sustainable West Seattle"

  • RG July 25, 2012 (9:48 pm)

    Congratulations Ms James! Thank you for all of your hard work in cleaning our waters – and for all that you share with our community. You are a true champion of the Sound.

  • petert July 25, 2012 (9:48 pm)

    Way to go, Laura !! We’re all proud of the work you’ve done – and thanks, WSB, for putting Laura’s work onto your website for all of us to appreciate.

  • miws July 25, 2012 (10:10 pm)

    Congrats, Diver Laura, and Sustainable WS!

    .

    Mike

  • West Seattle Since 1979 July 25, 2012 (10:55 pm)

    Congratulations, Diver Laura!

  • B-Check July 25, 2012 (11:29 pm)

    Congrats, Laura on the award, and more importantly all of the hard work you do for the Sound! As a volunteer with Sustainable West Seattle and Tox-ick, I sure do appreciate you helping our cause!

    For other West Seattleites who would like to get involved, we can use assistance educating our neighbors on reducing pollution in Puget Sound – check out http://tox-ick.org/ for info and if you’d like to get involved email Cate White (the other check-holder in the photo) at:
    cate@tox-ick.org

  • jsw July 26, 2012 (5:51 am)

    Congrats and thanks for all you do…

  • K M July 26, 2012 (8:06 am)

    This is so fantastic and well deserved! Congratulations Laura! I am so excited for you and the continuation and recognition of all the great projects you’re working on. I’m looking forward to getting more involved with the diving projects, SWS and Tox-ick. Kari

  • Jordan July 26, 2012 (9:18 am)

    Congratulations! Very well deserved.

  • Janis July 26, 2012 (9:33 am)

    Way to go Laura or “Puffer” As I have always called you (yes as in the fish). Ever since you were a little girl the waters were your true friend. Your love has benefited everyone that goes to the beach to enjoy a family day and everyone that enjoys a good day of diving. Thank you for everything that you do for the puget sound, I am proud to call you my cousin.

  • Explorers Club friends and families at Providence Mount St. Vincent July 26, 2012 (10:02 am)

    Congratulations, Laura! We are so happy and proud of you! We treasure the times you spend with us helping to learn about our underwater neighbors and how to keep their homes clean. Your work is a great gift to our community.

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