Harpoon Helped Cupid Splash in 2014!

-->Nearly 200 brave souls from the across the region plunged into the chilly waters of Boston Harbor on Saturday, March 29^th and raised $31, 565 dollars from more than 300 contributors to support free beach programs at the Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash at the BCYF Curley Community Center at M Street Beach in South Boston. Several dozen participants also splashed at Revere Beach, and raised $4,235 dollars for America’s oldest beach.

Funds raised at the Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash will be awarded to beach friends and community groups in the region’s waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities to support free beach events in Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull this summer.

“Harpoon is always happy to help Save the Harbor and our community,” said Charlie Storey, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Harpoon Brewery. “A quick dip followed by burgers and chowder and of course a refreshing Harpoon Beer on the beach. Its a great way to spend the first nice Saturday of spring!”

“What a terrific turnout” said Ronda Ivy McLeod, Manager Regional Marketing, Northeast at JetBlue Airways, on hand to support a team from JetBlue that raised $2,654 at this year’s splash. “We are always happy to partner with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay for this event. Core to our mission is inspiring humanity, and whether it’s in the air or on the ground, we’re committed to bettering the lives of our customers, crewmembers and communities – and inspiring others to do the same.”

“It was a great way to have some fun on one of the cleanest urban beaches in America and raise money to support free events on the region’s public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket this summer” said Bruce Berman, spokesman for Save the Harbor/ Save the Bay who helped organize the event. “Thanks to all of the participants and donors, and thanks to event sponsors Harpoon Brewery, JetBlue Airways, Russo Marine, Mix 104.1, the Boston Center for Youth And Families, NationalGrid, P&G Gillette, Comcast Massachusetts, Tasty Burger, Legal Sea Foods, the YMCA of Greater Boston and DCR for their support.”

Kennedy Elsey of Mix 104.1 and Donny Todd of Jet Blue choose the winners for best costumes. This year’s winners were Garrett Bergey, who splashed for Dorchester’s Beaches dressed as Donatello the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and Julia Vose, who splashed for South Boston’s beaches as a stunning jellyfish. They each received a round trip JetBlue Airways ticket as well.

The top three eligible fundraisers, who each won a round trip ticket on JetBlue Airways, were John Coyne, who splashed for South Boston, Carol Haney, who splashed for Revere, and Bridget Ryan, who splashed for Quincy.

 

The top ten fundraisers, who each won a Harpoon Hoodie were Bruce Berman, Joe Newman, John Coyne, Carol Haney, Mark Chrisos, Donnie Todd, Bridget Ryan, Robert Tucker, Mary Clare McGraw, and

Kelly Thompson.

South Boston and Revere topped the list for funds raised by beach again this year, followed by Lynn & Nahant and East Boston.

South Boston      $ 7,099

Revere               $ 4,235

Lynn and Nahant   $ 3,911

Constitution       $ 3,660

Dorchester          $ 2,050

Winthrop           $ 1,556

Wollaston          $ 1,204

Nantasket           $ 840

You can see a slideshow of this year’s Splash at https://tinyurl.com/2014splashslideshow, 

You can find a complete list of all prize winners on Save the Harbor’s blog “Sea, Sand & Sky” at www.blog.savetheharbor.org, or on their Facebook page at  www.facebook.com/savetheharbor

Open arms - Welcome back.

That's me, Leon McKoy

at the start of an awesome summer in 2012

 As I approach the wharf, I start to become filled with a warm nostalgic feeling. The dominant sounds of the gulls swarming the harbor and the intense but welcoming smell of today's catch, I knew I was home.
I was welcomed back to the Save the Harbor/Save the Bay family with open arms. Its been 2 years since my last blog post and man what a 2 years it has been. I've learned a lot and there has been ups and downs but I've remained focused and working towards better. With my previous experiences through Save the Harbor I've come to realize that hard work does indeed pay off (with a little added help from Facebook).
I recently have been employed, but not a single one of those companies felt right for me. I've grown to realize a save the harbor smile is one that can not be replicated. Gazing out the office window and seeing a water taxi pick up it passengers and head off to there destinations is obviously not comparable to slaving over a hot grill flipping burgers. I can happily and easily say, being back with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay family is a honor on its own. Working here as a Junior Program Assistant was one of the greatest experiences in my life and I'm ecstatic to have the opportunity to further my experiences along with learning more about myself. I've regained a feeling  I thought I lost along the way and I'm back in action. I'm Leon McKoy and I'm now an intern.

That's me, Leon McKoy with 2 lobsters at Mcdonough sailing center

See you on Boston  Harbor!

Good News for the Metropolitan Region's Public Beaches!

The “Environmental Bond Bill”, House No. 3332, contains some very good news for the metropolitan region’s public beaches.

The bill, which was favorably reported out of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture today, contains $20 million to improve water quality and $40 million for capital projects on the metropolitan region’s public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket. These funds will support investments which will protect the environment and improve the quality of life for residents of the region's coastal communities.

Save the Harbor would like to thank the Metropolitan Beaches Commission and our many friends and allies in the Massachusetts Legislature for their commitment to continued public investment to restore and protect Boston Harbor and these remarkable coastal resources.

We also want to take a moment to thank our many friends and supporters in the region’s waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities for their steadfast support.

We recognize that it is early in the process, but we are encouraged by the support that these items have received.

Here are the relevant sections of the bill.

HOUSE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  No. 3332

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

_______________

An Act providing for the preservation and improvement of land, parks,
and clean energy in the Commonwealth

2000-7064 For the development and support of local efforts to improve water quality on the metropolitan region’s public beaches owned by the commonwealth under the care, custody and control of the department of conservation and recreation, including, but not limited to, convening the public to enhance awareness of and participation in planning, regulatory, and permitting decisions; site specific research and analysis; feasibility and other assessments; plans for water, sewer, storm water, and other infrastructure investments; site specific plans, including, construction documents and architectural blueprints, the development of municipal storm water management plans, the design, construction, restoration, enhancement, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of storm water and sewage system infrastructure; and for outreach, communications, education, and planning to improve water quality in communities that include, but are not limited to, Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull   ................$20,000,000

2000-7065. For the design, construction, restoration, enhancement, reconstruction, rehabilitation, replacement or removal of infrastructure on the metropolitan region’s public beaches owned by the commonwealth and under the care, custody and control of the department of conservation and recreation, including, but not limited to buildings, roads, trails and paths; provided, that costs payable from this item may include, but not be limited to, the costs of engineering, restoration, construction and other technical assistance services essential to these projects rendered by the department of conservation and recreation, maintenance employees or by consultants. Projects shall include, but are not limited to, those recommended by the Metropolitan Beaches Commission    ……$40,000,0000

Just One Question from Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

Here is a copy of the letter we recently sent to candidates running for constitutional office in Massachusetts, inviting them to the Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash:

Save the Harbor / Save the Bay’s 5000 members and supporters want to know: “How important are Boston Harbor, the marine environment and the region’s public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket to you as a candidate for public office in 2014?”

There are lots of ways to answer that question.  Rather than ask you to fill out a questionnaire or take part in a debate or forum, this March we would like to invite you and your campaign to demonstrate your commitment to clean water and the environment in an exciting new way.

We would like to invite you, your staff, volunteers and supporters to join us on March 29 at the BCYF Curley Community Center at M Street Beach in South Boston for the Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash.

This annual plunge into the cool (actually cold!) clear water on one of the cleanest urban beaches in America will give you and your supporters a chance to show the residents of the region’s beachfront communities and waterfront neighborhoods that you care about the marine environment in a fun and dramatic way.

All the funds we raise at the event go to support free beach and youth programs on the region’s public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket.  Last year nearly 500 people raised more than $30,000 to support sand sculpting competitions, concerts and beach festivals in Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull. You can find out more about our free beach and youth programs on our website at www.savetheharbor.org

It is easy to register or set up a team at www.cupidsplash.com

Registered participants are eligible to win great prizes including free tickets from JetBlue Airways. There will be a party on the beach after the splash, with hot coffee and chowder, delicious Tasty Burgers and refreshing Harpoon Beer. Each participant is also welcome to bring a sign with them to the event, which we will display on the beach.

If you share our commitment to clean water, join us on March 29 and meet hundreds of others who share the same passion for better beaches, the marine environment and our coastal communities.

All the best,

Bruce Berman, Director

Strategy Communications and Programs

Save the Harbor / Save the Bay

______________________________________________________________________

We hope the candidates will take this opportunity to celebrate clean water and support public programming on Greater Boston’s urban beaches.  The Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash is a great opportunity to support a great cause while having a lot of fun-- but we don't necessarily expect any of the candidates to win the costume contest.