❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️ Raises More than $40K for Biscayne Bay!

On Sunday, February 16th, seventy five ❤️Cupid Splashers❤️ from 22 teams braved high winds and surf and leapt into the ocean at Collins Park Beach to launch the inaugural 2025 ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️, raising over $40,000 (from 263 donors) for the Biscayne Bay Recovery Fund.

According to event organizer Bruce Berman, the ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️was inspired by an annual event on Boston Harbor which has generated more than $1 million dollars, supporting free youth environmental education and beach programs on the Bay State’s public beaches.

"The last time I splashed for charity the water was 38°" said Berman, who now spends his winters in South Beach. "You have no idea how much more fun it was to splash here in Miami Beach, where the water temperature was a refreshing 77°."

100% of the pledges from the 2025 Miami Beach Cupid Splash will go to the Biscayne Bay Recovery Fund, managed by The Miami Foundation, and support efforts that clean, protect and restore Biscayne Bay, the Zeros Drownings Miami-Dade Initiative, as well as youth fishing, conservation and environmental education programs, in 2025.

Miami Beach Mayor Stephen Meiner and his wife Shanyn were on the beach to welcome the Splashers.

In his remarks, Mayor Meiner told the crowd how happy he was to see people from so many organizations on the beach, working together for a common cause."When so many people from across our community join with elected officials and civic, cultural, environmental and business leaders and organizations for a shared goal, it is very powerful." said the Mayor."When we all work together, we can really get things done."

Miami Beach Commissioner David Suarez took part in this year's splash, as did Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau Chief David Whitaker, Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce President Eric Knowles, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce President Brittney Bassant, Collins Park Neighborhood Association President Ray Breslin, VolunteerCleanup.org Co-FounderDave Doebler, teams from Clean Miami Beach,and Miami Surfrider, as well as many other advocates, activists and community leaders.

Before Ch. 10 Anchor and Environmental Advocate Louis Aguirre, and Miami Beach Eco Mermaid and Aquapreneur Merle Liivand led the charge into the sea, the Host Committee presented Aguirre with a First Edition of Dr. Seuss's children's classic, "The Lorax", and named Aguirre the 2025 H2O Hero for his outstanding coverage and tenacious advocacy for the Bay and the environment. "It’s a great book, with one of my favorite quotes." said Aguirre. "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

Cupid Splash participants competed for great prizes in categories for biggest fundraiser, largest team and best costume.

Mathew Cicero of South Florida Condominium Management raised $5,060 and was the biggest fundraiser, winning a pair of round trip tickets from Miami to any destination in the continental US served by American Airlines.

Team GMCVB raised $4,370 dollars from 38 contributors, and won a charter fishing trip for 12 people on the Reward Fishing Fleet for having the most contributors.

Cecilla Gonzalez-Jimenez and her team, Coastal Conservators, dressed as The Love Bugs and won first prize in the costume contest, and will enjoy a pizza party on the beach. Debi Quade, who was a big hit as a friendly shark, won a romantic dinner for two at Osteria Del Teatro.

Organizers hope that this year's ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️ will mark the start of a new tradition here in the 305, and have already begun to plan for next year's event, scheduled for February 15th, 2026. Mark your calendars!

You can find out more, and watch some great videos of the event, at blog.cupidsplash.org

You can still make a contribution to this years splash at www.cupidsplash.org

Thanks to our sponsors for their generosity and support!

Miami International Boat Show

Live Nation

ACT Productions

American Airlines

Atlantic Strategies

AVOQ

Ballyhoo Media

Catalyst New Media Group

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

Informa Markets - Miami International Boat Show

Miami Beach Convention Center

Osteria Del Teatro

Reward Fishing Fleet

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