On Thursday, March 28, some 500 corporate and civic leaders, elected officials, community partners, and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay supporters gathered at the Seaport Hotel for Destination Boston Harbor, Save the Harbor’s annual fundraising gala.
Among those celebrated at the gala included Charlestown residents Sam Bowman and Maeve Fittz, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Youth Environmental Education Program Staff, for the important role they play in making Save the Harbor/Save the Bay the Boston Harbor Connection for the region’s youth and families.
This event celebrated a year of on-the-water programming that connects millions of the region’s residents and visitors to Boston Harbor, the Harbor Islands, the region’s public beaches, and waterfront communities, and reflected on the investments and improvements in access to clean water for all.
Each year, Save the Harbor recognizes men and women as Boston Harbor Heroes for their commitment to Save the Harbor’s mission, the community, and the Harbor. Save the Harbor’s Board Chair and National Grid’s Vice President of Government Affairs for Massachusetts, Joseph Newman, along with Save the Harbor’s new President, Tani Marinovich, thanked the guests and introduced this year’s heroes.
The additional 2019 Harbor Heroes are:
•Martin J. Walsh, Mayor, City of Boston
•Tom Crohan, John Hancock Financial Services
•Kathy Lafferty, South Boston Neighborhood House
•Allen Huang and Veera Mahadomrongkul, Ohana NE Dragon Boat Team
•Shelagh Mahoney, Eastern Salt Company, Inc.
•David Spillane, AICP, RIBA, President Principal, Goody Clancy
•John Sullivan, Boston Water & Sewer Commission
•Kharliyah Ortiz, Save the Harbor’s Youth Environmental Education Program
This year’s event was particularly special as it included several tributes to the contributions and hard work of Patty Foley, who has retired after 20 years as President of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. Mayor Walsh began by reflecting on his work with Foley during his time serving in Massachusetts Legislature as the Representative from Dorchester. He credited her with educating him about the challenges faced by the neighborhood beaches and being a tireless advocate for the investing resources for their improvement. Mayor Walsh also reflected on the threat posed by climate change and the need to work collaboratively with organizations such as Save the Harbor to ensure resiliency for future generations. Marinovich thanked everyone for their support, for making 2019 the most successful Destination Boston Harbor ever with more than $750,000 raised for continued advocacy for, and programming on, Boston Harbor, the harbor islands and the regions beaches