Save The Bay announces collaboration with National Grid to support volunteer programs

PROVIDENCE, RI – Save The Bay Executive Director Jonathan Stone is pleased to announce a new relationship with National Grid, supporting Save The Bay’s robust and dynamic volunteer program. The collaborative effort kicked off yesterday with National Grid’s generous support of the Rhode Island International Coastal Cleanup, which drew more than 2,000 volunteers to pick up trash and debris on nearly 60 miles of Rhode Island coastline.

In addition to shoreline cleanups, Save The Bay’s volunteer program includes habitat restoration efforts, education of families at the Exploration Center and Aquarium and South Coast Center, assistance with summer camps, special events, professional office needs and more. In 2014, 3,403 dedicated volunteers contributed 29,525 hours to Save The Bay, adding an in-kind value to the organization of $676,602.

“The strength of Save The Bay and our talented staff is multiplied exponentially by the dedication of thousands of volunteers every year. We applaud National Grid’s clear commitment to Narragansett Bay and the environment through a relationship that will not only help provide supplies and equipment to support the work of our volunteer projects, but will further amplify our volunteer base by providing National Grid employees to participate as volunteers in shoreline cleanups and habitat restoration projects,” Stone said.

“National Grid, our employee volunteers and Save The Bay share a common commitment to work for a cleaner environment,” said Timothy F. Horan, president of National Grid in Rhode Island. “We can think of no better way of doing this than by assisting organizations like Save The Bay through our financial backing and the work of our employees.”

Moving forward, National Grid employees will join Save The Bay in events that will provide for hands on experiences with Narragansett Bay and an introduction to the organization’s  initiatives. They will embody the Save The Bay mission to protect and improve Narragansett Bay by participating as volunteers in shoreline cleanups, habitat restoration projects, and other opportunities specifically focused on such coastal communities as Providence, Warwick, Newport, and Westerly.

“Donations and working relationships like this one with National Grid are truly invaluable,” said Save The Bay Volunteer and Internship Manager July Lewis. “They enable us to engage so many more volunteers and are essential to our volunteer projects, providing trash bags for cleaning up, storm drain markers, outreach for our volunteer opportunities and so much more. People love volunteering, and to have National Grid’s support in engaging more volunteers is a tremendous gift.”

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