East Boston’s Constitution Beach will host Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s annual polar plunge to raise money for summer beach programs.
The annual event that raises tens of thousands of dollars each year for the Better Beaches grant program is usually held in Southie but will move to Constitution Beach on Sunday, March 6.
“We are excited to be back together in person for the annual Shamrock Splash presented by Arctic Chill,” said Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Bruce Berman. “With our normal spot in Southie under construction, we will be splashing in Eastie this year. This is your opportunity to make a huge impact on your community, and bring free programming to our beaches through the Better Beaches Program.”
Registration for the annual event opened Tuesday and registered teams can fundraise now through the day of the splash. You can register for the event at http://shamrocksplash.org/default.asp.
With registration individuals and teams get Harpoon beer, a Shamrock Splash koozie, and entry into a raffle to win round trip flights on JetBlue. The more money a team or individual raises the more opportunity there is to win a prize.
“For those of you who want to join in the fun at home, we will still have a virtual participation option,” said Burman. “Record a video of your splash by Friday, March 4 and your submission will be in the running for the JetBlue prizes.”
During the month of February Save the Harbor/Save the Bay will be awarding weekly fundraising prizes.
“For our new friends and supporters, the Shamrock Splash is our annual polar plunge where we gather on a chilly, and sometimes snowy, beach to splash into the clean water of Boston Harbor to raise money for our Better Beaches grant program,” said Burman. “The program partners with local organizations to plan free events and programs on our region’s beaches from Nahant to Nantasket during the warmer months. We can’t wait for you to join our efforts in raising more money than ever this year to invest back into our community.”
Last year, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) awarded $32,500 in Better Beaches program grants to five Eastie organizations and individuals to support free beach events and programs throughout the summer.
In Eastie, the East Boston YMCA, Harborkeepers, NOAH (Neighborhood of Affordable Housing), Piers Park Sailing Center and Triangle, Inc. All nonprofits hosted events including wellness classes, a maritime festival, kayaking and the “Beach:Ability” program for people with disabilities.
The grants awarded in Eastie were part of $300,000 in Better Beaches grants to 67 organizations and creatives to support 150 free beach events and programs in nine communities, as in-person public programming resumed on the region’s public beaches.
The grants were made possible with the over $50,000 in proceeds raised from the Shamrock Splash as well as funds from the Department of Conservation and Recreation.