In a time of compassion fatigue, environmental organizations, like all charities, must get more creative to attract attention (and contributions) to their causes. But how ever will they compete with Meghan Wren?
The clever promotion below by the Bayshore Center at Bivalve, sent to us by the folks at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, announces that Ms. Wren plans to become the third person ever swim across Delaware Bay–all to draw attention to the bay’s environmental fragility and to raise money to help her organization and others to protect it.
Still, we can’t help but wonder: Does this set a demanding, new athletic bar for leaders of regional green organizations?
Will we soon see Jeff Tittel backstroking Newark Bay? Debbie Mans kayaking the Hudson River? Cindy Zipf surfing the Jersey Shore or Maya K. van Rossum paddleboarding across the Delaware?
Let us know what you think in the comment box below the post.
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The
Delaware Bay has a Champion! 
The Partnership for the
Delaware Estuary wants you to support Meghan Wren as she becomes the third person to ever swim Delaware Bay! |
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Meghan Wren, founder and executive director of the Bayshore
Center at Bivalve, will swim across Delaware Bay on August 3 to help raise money and awareness of the importance it has in all of our lives. |
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Please come out to the kick-off party for supporters at JP’s Wharf in North
Bowers Beach (201 Hubbard Ave., Frederica, DE) this Friday, from 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets are available by calling (856) 785-2060, extension 108, or online at BayshoreDiscovery.org (select “Click HERE for Tickets!” and look for August 2).
Wren
will arrive at Port Mahon, Delaware (near Dover) at approximately 6:30 a.m. this Saturday in preparation for a 7 a.m. start, conditions permitting (times subject to change).
The swim should take
approximately 8 to 10 hours. Spectators, well-wishers, and bay lovers alike are invited to spend the afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) on Fortescue Beach in Fortescue, New Jersey on Saturday, where activities will include a children’s fishing contest, beach games, and t-shirt sales. This “Bash on the Beach for the Bay” will include casual music by Fortescue resident Steve Byrne. Refreshments will be available, and the Fortescue Grille (102 Delaware Ave.) will open at 1 p.m. for the occasion.
A flotilla of kayakers
and pre-registered swimmers will meet Wren as she nears the beach to escort her in. Please e-mail SWIMDelawareBay@gmail.com if you’re interested in kayaking or swimming.
Also, the iconic MISS FORTESCUE will
board supporters to cheer Wren on as she approaches the Jersey coast. For a $50 donation, you too can join this historic event. Get your tickets by calling (856) 785-2060, extension 108, or online at BayshoreDiscovery.org (select “Click HERE for Tickets!” and look for August 3). Then gather at State Marina Dock 13 at 1 p.m. After the successful SWIM, Wren and Team SWIM will gather in the gallery of the Fortescue Chapel, which will be open from 1 to 4 p.m., for closing ceremonies.
By taking on this personal challenge, Wren hopes to raise
$25,000 for the protection and preservation of the Delaware Bay. Donations are being accepted at SWIMDelawareBay.org, and these are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. |
Meghan Wren is the founder and executive director of the Bayshore
Center at Bivalve. She was also one of the founding board members of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. |
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