Special to the Times-Free Press
On Sunday, March 12th more than 140 “Shamrock Splashers” hit the cold, clean water at Constitution Beach in East Boston and raised a record-breaking $57,000 at the JetBlue Shamrock Splash to support Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Better Beaches Program partnership with the Department of Conservation & Recreation.
“The Better Beaches program invested more than ever in our community and beaches last year to focus on improving access for people of color, people with disabilities and non-English speakers” said Senator Lydia Edwards. “I’m incredibly proud of the Commonwealth’s increased commitment in 2023 so even more people can experience these amazing coastal resources.”
East Boston was a big winner at the 2023 event, raising more than $5,896 for free beach events and programs!“Last year, Save the Harbor awarded Better Beaches grants to Winthrop organizations such as Friends of Belle Isle Marsh and Friends of Winthrop Beach,” said Executive Director Chris Mancini. “This money was used to put on Salt and Sun Tidal Explorations, Back to the Beach Party, festivals, and movie nights on the beach.”
For the first time this year, Save the Harbor also hosted the Shamrock Dash which featured runners warming up with a 1 km race before participating in the splash.
This year’s participants won prizes for biggest fundraiser and best costumes, including flights on JetBlue and great swag from Harpoon Brewery. Participants also enjoyed empanadas, chowder, Arctic Chill Hard Seltzer and Harpoon after their splash.
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Executive Director Chris Mancini thanked their program partners and event sponsors, including JetBlue, Harpoon Brewery, FMC Ice Sports, P&G Gillette, National Grid, Coast Cannabis, the Daily Catch, Comcast, Mix 104.1, The Blue Sky Collaborative, and The Richard Saltonstall Charitable Foundation.
Mancini also thanked Metropolitan Beaches Commission Co-Chairs Senator Brendan Crighton of Lynn, and Representative Adrian Madaro of East Boston and the legislative and community members of the Commission as well as Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano for their support for our beaches and our communities. They also want to thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Massachusetts Legislature, our partners at the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Boston Centers for Youth & Families, the YMCA of Greater Boston, and the hundreds of people who took part in the Shamrock Splash for their support.
Proceeds from this year’s Shamrock Splash will be invested in free “Better Beaches” events and programs on the metropolitan region’s public beaches in Nahant, Lynn, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy, and Hull. More information is available on the Save the Harbor/Save the Bay website at www.savetheharbor.org.