Local Non-profits Partner to Raise Money for Parks on Earth Day

Five local non-profits are partnering to create and promote “Give 5% for Earth Day” – a program asking local retailers to pledge five percent of their proceeds to Boston-area public parks on Earth Day, Monday, April 22.

Charles River Conservancy, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, The Esplanade Association (TEA), the Friends of the Public Garden and the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy will each attempt to recruit 10 retailers to promote the program and work jointly to market it. To date, participating retailers include Kickass Cupcakes (Somerville retail location and food truck); Boston-area food trucks, such as Mei Mei Street Kitchen, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese and Momogoose; Panificio Bistro & Bakery (Boston); Henrietta’s Table (Cambridge); The Paramount (Boston); LAZ Parking; and the Lenox Hotel. Proceeds will support capital improvements, ongoing maintenance and programming for public parks owned by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, Brookline’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

“All of us at LAZ Parking are pleased to collaborate in the citywide Earth Day event to support The Esplanade Association and hope to work with the organization in future endeavors,” wrote Erika Sternburg, marketing coordinator for LAZ Parking. “We are excited to partner with the DCR in the operation of the Charles River Reservation Storrow Drive parking lot and look forward to developing relationships with members of the surrounding community. We hope to enhance the parking availability and overall experience for the local residents and Esplanade visitors.”

The program is modeled after one launched in Austin, Texas, four years ago before spreading to Houston in 2012. Last year, six Austin-area non-profits raised more than $60,000 from more than 125 retailers.

Non-profits continue to seek additional retailers and have sponsor opportunities available for “Give 5% for Earth Day.” Interested retailers can contact Elizabeth Good at egood@rfkgc.org. For general questions, contact Charlie McCabe at 617-603-7723 or via e-mail at cmccabe@rfkgc.org. Visit www.give5boston.org for complete information on the program.