Mayor Menino, Jack Connors and Camp Harbor View host 2nd Annual Harborthon 5K
Boston, MA – On Thursday, July 29th, 2010, Camp Harbor View co-founders, City of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Jack Connors, Jr. hosted close to 800 runners and 100 spectators at Camp Harbor View on Long Island in the Boston Harbor at the 2nd Annual Harborthon 5K event, presented by Deutsche Bank Partners for Charity. A large community of supporters came together to celebrate and enjoy Camp Harbor View and its mission, including 100 volunteers who donated their time to help at the event. The event featured the Harborthon’s scenic 5 kilometer route around Long Island and a post-race barbecue celebration. The Camp Harbor View Foundation collaborated with Boston Marathon race producer, Dave McGillivray, and team at DMSE Sports, Inc on the production of the event.
The evening began with a reception and check presentation from Citibank to Camp Harbor View for $20,000. Jack Connors and Mayor Menino gathered on the deck of the Great Hall, bordering the beach, to offer their gratitude for the kind donations of the 12+ corporate sponsors, such as Normandy Real Estate, New Generation Advisers, and Partners HealthCare for example, all of whom played a part in making the night possible.
Runners and spectators started their evening with water transportation provided by Boston’s Best Cruises through Boston Harbor. Upon arrival they were greeted by an enthusiastic group of Camp Harbor View’s Counselors in Training (CIT’s). CIT’s are graduated campers who assist Counselors in helping campers get the most out of the CHV experience. Their excitement and pride for their camp was incredibly tangible on such a beautifully breezy summer night.
“What was special about tonight was seeing and talking to the kids from the camp,” said runner April Glassey of Brooklyn, NY, “When we got to the island they were cheering and excited and high fiving everyone. They were great.”
“This was an important opportunity for us to show off some of the best of Camp Harbor View: our Counselors in Training. All of our CITs have been campers, and are steeped deeply in the Camp Harbor View message of leadership through having fun, being respectful, taking responsibility, demonstrating character, showing courage, and building community. This is an opportunity for them to use the skills we teach, and to show off their camp directly to those whose generosity makes it possible. They are our best spokespeople,” said Greg Stoddard, Director of Operations and Social Worker for Camp Harbor View.
To kick off the race, City of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Jack Connors were joined by camper Amari, age 13 and CIT Abel, age 15, who sang the National Anthem while CIT Christian, age 15, accompanied them on the electric guitar. Additional campers and CIT’s cheered on while runners embarked on the 5 kilometer (3.1 miles) race route that took them through the back roads of Long Island, running along the ocean front with spectacular views of the Boston skyline and the island’s historical landmarks.
The race was followed by a barbecue sponsored by Harpoon Brewery and dinner menu provided by Pit Stop Barbecue. Local favorite Boloco shared samples of their wraps and burritos while b. good treated participants to their ice cream and smoothies. Other vendors included mix1 Beverages, local radio station 92.9 WBOS and Powerade. Participants celebrated to music provided by Renell Jean and DJ’s on the Move while taking in a breathtaking sunset over the Boston city skyline.
The evening commenced with a raffle drawing featuring twelve prizes donated from The Kraft Family, Life is Good, the Improper Bostonian, Stop & Shop, The Foundation To Be Named Later and Eastward Ho! Country Club. All together, the fundraiser raised $130,000 for Camp Harbor View.
Camp Harbor View opened in 2007 as a result of Mayor Menino’s concern for the welfare of Boston’s inner-city children. Mayor Menino reached out to Boston businessman and civic leader Jack Connors, Jr. and together they had the idea to create a camp for at-risk Boston children that would expose them to experiences and activities beyond their day to day life. With the help of John Fish and a powerful Suffolk Construction team, the Camp was built in 109 days. Today, Camp Harbor View is operated with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and in 2010 will provide 900 of Boston’s inner-city youth with four weeks of summer day camp for just $5. Each camper experiences a wide variety of activities designed to build confidence, encourage creativity, and help develop the leadership skills they need during school and beyond.
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