Maureen Mazrimas honored as a Harbor Hero

On Thursday, October 6th, hundreds of corporate and civic leaders, elected officials, and community partners joined Save the Harbor/Save the Bay at the Lawn on D at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to honor the 2022 Boston Harbor Heroes at the organization's annual Destination Boston Harbor gala. Among those honored was Maureen Mazrimas, President of Friends of Wollaston Beach.

"Each year, Save the Harbor honors Boston Harbor Heroes for their commitment to Save the Harbor's mission, our community, and the Harbor," said Save the Harbor/Save the Bay's Executive Director Chris Mancini. "We are proud to honor Maureen as a 2022 Boston Harbor Hero for her dedication to a clean harbor for everyone in her community.”

Mazrimas was honored for her work with the Friends of Wollaston Beach and her personal environmental advocacy work. Friends of Wollaston Beach has been a long-time partner of Save the Harbor, working together to put on free programming for children and families in Quincy. Mazrimas greatly cares for her community and the environment, organizing countless cleanups of Wollaston Beach and providing free programming for youth and families. Every year, Friends of Wollaston Beach puts on their biggest event with Save the Harbor, KidsFest. It is always a success, drawing hundreds of children and families to Wollaston Beach for a day of free fun.

Friends of Wollaston Beach is the latest organization with which Mazrimas has been involved over the last few decades. Mazrimas has also spearheaded advocacy work through Squantum Community Association, Quincy Environmental Network, Save Our Shores, and a mile-long list of other community groups. She is consistently involved with any groups advocating for a better Quincy the environment and/or a cleaner harbor. Mazrimas also serves as chairperson of the City of Quincy's Stormwater Advisory Committee.

"To say that I am overwhelmed is no exaggeration. However, I did not do this alone,” said Mazrimas. “Friends of Wollaston Beach has always been a team effort, whose board has been a well-oiled machine for over 16 years. I am so grateful to our amazing board and to my family for their support. Our Legislative delegation has also been extremely supportive."

She also remarked that “The overarching theme of the evening is one that the City of Quincy proudly displays on a bumper sticker: 'Clean Water is Everyone's Business.' Each of us has an obligation to do what we can to preserve this resource. Become involved - join groups such as Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, Friends of Wollaston Beach, or other civic and environmental groups. Be a steward, and Pick up after yourself."

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and Mazrimas are grateful to the many Quincy businesses who generously contributed to the Quincy package for the silent auction. Confectionately Yours, Lori Scott Yoga, Purefections Chocolate, the Quincy Sun, the Wollaston Yacht Club and Dragonboat Experience contributed over $500 in goods and services for the Auction.

Save the Harbor also honored Bryan Koop and Boston Properties for their service to the Boston Community, Nicole McClain of Northshore Juneteenth Association for her work promoting diversity and inclusivity, MWRA and BioBot for their commitment to health and safety during the COVID pandemic; Ruben Hernandez of Save the Harbor’s Youth Environmental Education Programs for his important role he played in making Save the Harbor/Save the Bay the Boston Harbor connection for the region’s youth and families, and former staff member Trevor Etheridge (1992-2022) for his longtime dedication to the organization’s mission.

“This summer Save the Harbor was back on the water to Share the Harbor with everyone”, said Mancini. “It was a true pleasure to gather with all of our partners and friends at Destination Boston Harbor to celebrate our collective accomplishments in making our harbor, beaches and waterfront increasingly more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for everyone regardless of your race, ability or language spoken at home.”

This year's event featured a terrific auction with exciting getaways including an idyllic beach house in the Dominican Republic as well as Harpoon private beer tastings, staycations at local hotels with dinner pairings, sports tickets, fishing trips, golf packages and more.

According to Save the Harbor's Development Director Patricia Salic, this year's Destination Boston Harbor Gala and Auction raised nearly $400,000 to support free events and programs for kids and families in Quincy and on the Harbor, the islands, and all of our region’s public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket. "Thanks to all our sponsors and donors for supporting our work to restore, protect and share Boston Harbor."

For more information about Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the work they do, please visit save the harbor.org or follow @savetheharbor facebook, instagram and twitter.