2013 Boston Harbor Heroes

2013 Boston Harbor Heroes, From Left to Right - Carol Churchill, Karrisha Gillespie, Carol Haney, Jack Hart,
Timothy Kirwin, Dr. Andrea Knox,
Save the Harbor Board Chair Joseph P. Newman, Save the Harbor President Patty Foley

Just 25 years ago, Boston Harbor was a national disgrace, as our waste washed up on the beach and shore from Cape Cod to Cape Ann. Working together we changed all that.

Today, Boston Harbor, Boston's waterfront and the Boston Harbor Islands are civic assets for all Bostonians, the region's residents, and visitors to enjoy. And, thanks to the remarkable success of the Boston Harbor Clean-up, Boston Harbor is now home to some of the cleanest urban beaches in America!

None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of thousands of people who each believed in the power of Boston Harbor to change lives and transform communities. 

During our 25th anniversary in 2011, Save the Harbor established an annual tradition of recognizing  Boston Harbor Heroes (http://www.savetheharbor.org/heroes/) for their extraordinary commitment to the harbor we have worked so hard to restore and protect at our annual corporate gala, "Destination Boston Harbor"

The inaugural Harbor Heroes included:

• Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino
• Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick
• Judge A. David Mazzone
• EEA Secretary Richard K. Sullivan, Jr.
• Jack Connors, Jr.
• Amos Hostetter
• Beth Nicholson, Founding Chair, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
• Senator Jack Hart 
• Senator Anthony Petruccelli
• Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein
• George A. Russell, Jr.
• U.S. Rep. John Joseph Moakley
• Paul S. Grogan
• Frederick A. Laskey
• William O. Taylor
• Claudia Smith Reid
• Thi Tranh
• Kyel B. Werwick

The 2012 Harbor Heroes included Lowell Richards of MASSPORT, Professor Charles Haar of Harvard University, Harold Sparrow of the YMCA of Greater Boston, Ronda Ivy McLeod of JetBlue Airways, and Will Clark, Co-Chair of Save the Harbor's Youth Committee. 

On Thursday, March 28, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay honored six new Boston Harbor Heroes at their Destination Boston Harbor gala event at the InterContinental Hotel. They were recognized for their extraordinary commitment to Boston Harbor’s revitalization, its future, and its impact on the community.

Carol Churchill, of Distragas GDF/Suez - For her support of efforts to connect the region's youth and teens to Boston Harbor and the Boston Harbor Islands.

Karrisha Gillespie - For her extraordinary work to share the harbor with young people from every neighborhood in the city as a Boston Harbor explorer.

Carol Haney - For her leadership in the restoration and revitalization of Revere Beach.

Jack Hart - For his leadership as a State Senator and Chairman of the Metropolitan Beaches Commission in restoring the region's public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket, and making the beaches of South Boston some of the cleanest urban beaches in America.

Timothy Kirwin - For his generosity and the work he has done to strengthen the harbor and the city by helping to transform the Fort Point Channel into a destination for residents and visitors alike.

Dr. Andrea Rex - For making sure that all of us have the facts we need to make good decisions, and for insisting that good policy be based on good data and sound science.

Thanks to them, and to all Boston Harbor Heroes!

3rd Annual Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash

They came (in costumes), they donated, they splashed.
Because they love our beaches!

On Saturday, about 200 splashers braved the icy waters and raised more than $30,000 to support free events and programs on our region's public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket this summer.

"What a fantastic way to spend the first Saturday of spring, with a refreshing dip and a fresh Harpoon on one of the cleanest beaches in America with Matt Light, Kennedy Elsey and our friends from Save the Harbor / Save the Bay" said Dan Kenary, Co-Founder of Harpoon Brewery.

The fun kicked off even before the dip in the frigid Atlantic, as Matt Light, the former Patriot's All-Pro, and Mix 104.1's Kennedy Elsey, judged a very competitive and spirited costume contest. The winner, the lovely Ms. Anti-Cupid, received a FREE roundtrip ticket from our partners at JetBlue Airways, who were on-hand to donate the prize.

Donnie Todd of JetBlue Airways and Dan Kenary of Harpoon Brewery
with this year's winner, Heather Foley - the Dark Angel.

Backed by the rocking sounds of The Siracusa Project, the party continued after everyone splashed, with guests enjoying a cold Harpoon and some delicious Tasty Burgers. 

Save the Harbor's Artist in Residence Guillermo Erice
perfects his sand painting technique on the beach.

This year's splash raised $30,000 to support sand sculpting competitions, concerts, family reading nights and festivals on the region's public beaches in Nahant, Lynn, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull.

And after the final tally, we want to thank and congratulate South Boston's Bob Dougherty for being this year's top fundraiser with $1,585! Mr. Dougherty received a free roundtrip ticket from our partners at JetBlue Airways. 

Thanks to everyone who made this such a great event. It really "wetted" our appetite for what is haping up to be a great summer beach season. 

P.S. - It is not too late to make a contribution to support this year's splash. Just visit www.cupidsplash.com and follow the links.

I'M BACKKKKKKKK

I'M BACKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

Hey you Save the Harbor Save the Bay followers!

This is Karrisha Gillespie reporting live!

So I have experienced a lot of new changes since this past summer: I am now a sophomore at The Kents Hill School, and I was honored with the title: Boston Harbor Lead Explorer 2012! I am currently on Spring Break, which is why I am writing this blog! I will be working for Save the Harbor for the next few weeks then I will be off to study abroad in England!

I am SO excited to be back in the office, but even more excited to be out and about with all of Boston Harbor Explorers!


Get ready, we are all in for a terrific summer :)

 

 

 

 

I am ready, are you?

<3
Karrisha M. Gillespie

Why Do We Splash on March 23?

On Saturday, March 23 more than 250 Splashers will brave the cold waters 
of Boston Harbor as part of the 3rd Annual Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash 
to benefit Save the Harbor / Save the Bay.

Here's why we do it. 

25 years ago Boston Harbor was a national disgrace as our waste washed 
up on the beach and shore from Cape Cod to Cape Ann. 

Today, all that has changed thanks to the hard work and dedication 
of Save the Harbor / Save the Bay, the region's leading voice for 
clean water and the restoration and protection of 
Boston Harbor and Mass Bay.

As a result, Boston Harbor has been transformed from a "Harbor of Shame" 
into a source of recreational opportunity and civic pride. 
Today, as a result of their advocacy, the beaches 
of South Boston are among the cleanest urban beaches in America!

The Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash is loads of fun, with live music, 
fresh Harpoon beer and great prizes including 
round trip tickets from JetBlue Airways 
and awesome gifts from Harpoon Brewery.

The fun is important, but the fundraising piece is important as well. 

The Kids Beach Bash and Splash is one of 30 free beach events
supported by the Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash

The money we raise together at the Splash this year will make the 
summer special for underserved kids and families from all of 
Boston’s neighborhoods, many of whom cannot afford to get away 
to Cape Cod or Cape Ann in the summer.

In 2012, the Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash raised 
more than $30,000 to support 30 free events and programs on the 
region's public beaches including sand sculpture competitions, 
beach parties, and family reading and movie nights 
in Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, 
South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull.

So register today at www.cupidsplash.org, and then get on the phone, 
on twitter (Our hashtag is #cupidsplash) and on Facebook, 
and ask your friends to register and join you on the beach – 
or make a small donation to support your splash. 

These free beach events and activities mean the world to all of us 
and to the region's kids and families. 

We hope to see you on the beach on Saturday!
 
Your Friends at 
Save the Harbor / Save the Bay

PS. Even if you can't (or won't!) join us in the water, 
you can still come to the party. 
Just register for the Splash, make a contribution and 
join us on the beach.