This year I was looking forward to swimming my 6th Save the Bay swim.  I was looking forward to my annual challenge of swimming 1.7 miles from Newport to Jamestown benefiting Save The Bay to protect and improve the Naragansett Bay. However, like many people, I found my plans were altered.  Over the last few months, I have really relied on the Narragansett Bay and specifically East Greenwich Cove for solice, exercise, and perspective.  The pandemic and quarantine brought into sharp focus how lucky we are to live in such an amazing place with such a beautiful natural resource.  I found myself taking daily walks by the cove, driving down to see the beaches (when they were closed), and rejoicing when it was finally warm enough to put the boat in the water and paddleboard in the mornings. 

Like many non-profit organizations, Save The Bay has had to get creative this year. Seal Tours were canceled.  The Exploration Center in Newport was closed.  The Swim event is one of their biggest fundraisers. Through out this all, they have continued to work to clean up the bay and offer educational opportunities. In 2019 15,931 k-12 students learned about the bay through the Save the Bay education program.  When schools closed due to COVID-19, they rose to the challenge offering Breakfast by the Bay streaming 3 times a week on Facebook offering informative lessons on habitats, plants and animals in the Bay. Beach cleanups and restoration work continued. To give a scope of their efforts, in 2019 volunteers colleges 157,977 pieces of trash off the Rhode Island shores. They participated in the development of the new fishing pier off Rocky Point.   Each year, we dump 17.6 billion pounds of plastic in our oceans. At this rate, there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. Together, we can make a difference.

This year, Save the Bay is offering a virtual swim event.  In honor of their efforts and reflection of their flexiblity, I too, am doubling my efforts.  I will be swimming the 2 mile virtual swim AND I have banded a team of able bodies to form a team to participate in the other virtual offerings this year!  Together will complete the following challenges: 

2 mile Paddleboard

5 mile kayak

5k run/walk

25 mile bike ride

I told the team that I will match their efforts for their events.  Eric and I will attempt as many of the events possible.  

I am asking you to help by supporting my fundraising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift means a lot to my fundraising efforts for an organization that is important to me!

You can donate online through this site, or if you prefer, you can also send your gift as a check made out ot Save the Bay to the address below.  Put a note with my name, along with your check. 

100 Save the Bay Drive

Providence, RI 02901

Thank you for all your support!

Rachel