Philanthropy Blog: One Boston Day 2020

As I sit here in my remote office, bustling from Zoom meetings to conference calls, reading the hourly updates about the impact of Covid-19 on the greater Boston community and beyond, an update from Mayor Marty Walsh’s office arrives, announcing tomorrow’s One Boston Day. The concept of “Boston Strong” came about after the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings, and remains a call to action for our city in times of adversity. It is also meant to embody principles of peace, kindness, and hope. This year the spirit behind the day is as important as ever, and the sentiment that united us in 2013 has once again become a rallying cry for our city. The last five weeks have seen an incredible mobilization of city and state government agencies, the business sector, and the nonprofit community around the interconnected goals of social distancing, slowing the spread of Covid-19, buoying the health care system to meet tremendous need and the anticipated surge, supporting local businesses, working to meet the basic needs of vulnerable families, continuing the delivery of public education, all while maintaining a sense of community spirit and resiliency.

While we can’t cheer runners from Boylston Street, visit the Swan Boats, or see the Red Sox at Fenway this year on Patriot’s Day, we can do something critical for our city’s future success. Stay home. Perform an act of kindness and share it on social media and tag with the #OneBostonDay. Give thanks to a health care worker, grocery store employee, or public servant. Make a charitable gift of any size to any number of the city, state, or nonprofit relief efforts.

While we may be physically distant from one another on this One Boston Day, we can come together and display the resilience of our city in simple yet powerful ways. We are, and remain, #BostonStrong.

About the Author

Gioia Perugini is Associate Director, Family Office and Philanthropy Services at Hemenway & Barnes. She works with individuals, families, advisors, charitable trusts and foundations to provide a range of philanthropic and client services.