CAPTION: Members of Team Esplanade.

While runners in the Boston Marathon contribute to numerous worthy causes each year, Team Esplanade participants and patrons have the distinction of being able to view the fruits of their labor firsthand when they visit the 3-mile park that runs along the Charles River.
“People who support Team Esplanade can see the trees pruned and parked benches restored,” said Sylvia Salas, executive director of the non-profit Esplanade Association. “It’s very gratifying.”
Launched by the Esplanade Association in 2008, Team Esplanade has raised more than $150,000 to date to support improvements to the Charles River Esplanade and is now in its third and final year as an official charity of the Boston Marathon, stepping aside next year to make the status available to another area nonprofit.
The team will provide 15 “waiver” numbers for runners who can’t meet the time qualifications for the next marathon, eight of which are still available. In taking a waiver number, the runner commits to raising at least $3,250 for the Esplanade Association and completing the 26.2-mile course in less than six hours, as well as attending the Team Esplanade kickoff meeting on Nov. 14 and attending two of the first three team training-runs, set for Nov. 21 and Dec. 5 and 19.
“What’s great about this event is you don’t have to be a distance runner,” said Chris Murton, the Esplanade Association’s project coordinator. “Everyone who started the marathon over the last two years has finished it, free of injuries.”
Qualified runners can also join Team Esplanade. They are committed to raising only $750 each and will be given access to the team’s nutritionist, flexibility coach and sports psychologist, Rick Muir.
Muir has served as coach of the Team Esplanade since 2008 and was previously the head coach of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America's Team in Training program for 12 years, beginning in 1996. He also ran the Boston Marathon as a qualified runner seven times between 1979 and 1997.
“The marathon challenge is symbolic of the challenge of fundraising,” Muir said. “Not everyone steps up to the challenge of a marathon, but those who do are the same types who support charities.”
Muir added, “I’m a firm believer in the mission of the Esplanade Association. We owe it to ourselves, our children and future generations to protect public places.”
Non-runners can still support Team Esplanade through donations, including corporations that otherwise couldn’t afford to be marathon sponsors on their own.
“The Boston Marathon is a huge media event,” Murton said. “We’re offering corporate sponsors a chance to have their name used in the marathon program and in our newsletters and Web sites.”
Besides helping to preserve one of the city’s most treasured landmarks, Team Esplanade allows the Esplanade Association to participate in one of the most anticipated happenings of the year in Boston.
“It’s one of the sporting world’s most prestigious and altruistic events,” Murton said. “We’re fortunate to be a part of it.”
For interested parties, a Team Esplanade information session, takes place at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade on Saturday Oct. 24, at 10:30 a.m. More information on Team Esplanade is also available online at www.esplanadeassociation.org/special_events/boston_marathon.html.

CAPTION: Beacon Hill Village: members Woody Ives, Steve Roop and Linda Cox.

A few months ago, Beacon Hill Village began an effort to create an endowment fund. It was not a good time to be asking for money, but the Village’s fundraising committee, chaired by Kitty Flather, has had remarkable success. To date, more than $165,000 has been raised for the Founder’s Fund, and not just from founders of the innovative organization that enhances the lives of people ages 50 and over in central Boston.
“This is a great vote of confidence for the Village,” said President Stephen Roop. “People do not make endowment gifts unless they believe the organization has a future and fulfills a major need.”
The endowment income will supplement the Village’s normal revenue, which depends on generous annual support as well as membership dues and other sources.
The Village’s investment committee, chaired by Treasurer John Besser, will see to the proper investment of the Founder’s Fund and the wise use of its income. Most of the funds are unrestricted, but some have been earmarked for the Village’s Membership Plus Program, which allows people of modest means to be members and have funds for services.
Although called the Founder’s Fund, the endowment is open to all donors, and not all of the large gifts have come from founders. Donations of $10,000 or more have been identified by separate fund names.
After its astonishing initial success, the Village will continue its endowment campaign. Also, like every fall, the Village will be initiating its Annual Appeal in November. The community has always been very generous in supporting the efforts to help their neighbors remain living in Boston as they age.
Anyone interested in making a gift can contact Judy Willett, executive director, or Kitty Flather, fundraising chair, at 617-723-9713.

CAPTION: Residents enjoy the family-like atmosphere the house provides. There is always someone interesting to talk to, and the diversity of the residents makes for much lively dinner conversation. Pictured here are residents and guests, from left to right: Faith Kelley, Micah Bales, Jesse Connell, Julia Okun, Christy Little, Fiona Campbell, Linda Jenkins, Anna Hoover, Drew Wilkins, Jason Jones, Jim Regan, Lynn Hyde and Jo Ballem.

The historic Beacon Hill Friends House at 6 Chestnut St. will open its doors to the community at its first Friends and Neighbors event on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. House residents will treat neighbors of all ages to casual tea and snacks, offering the chance for enjoyable conversation and neighborly socializing.
“Our mission is about community building,” said Holly Baldwin, Beacon Hill Friends House director. “We would like to reach out to our neighbors and do our part to help foster a greater sense of community in the neighborhood. We would like to offer an opportunity for people to gather in an informal friendly manner and get to know one another.”
Beacon Hill Friends House has been a vibrant residential community operating under Quaker principles since 1957, when John Greene donated the house to the Religious Society of Friends for that purpose. Currently, 21 men and women, both Quakers and non-Quakers, ranging from college-age through their 60s, live together in this intentional community. More than roommates, these individuals spend a substantial amount of time together, sharing evening meals, house meetings, workdays and retreats. Residents also share chores and serve on committees to ensure the house functions properly.
Individual residents come to live at the house for one to four years, joining a community that has been living out the Quaker values of simplicity, integrity and social responsibility every day for 52 years. Residents practice the art of living with a diverse, changing group of people, while employing Quaker tools for effective decision making.
Three staff members keep the house going. Holly Baldwin, director, works diligently with the Beacon Hill Friends House Corporation and the board of managers, as well as residents, to create a wholesome, welcoming community. Christy Little, residency manager, oversees admissions, administration of the residential community, and guest rooms. Fiona Campbell, kitchen manager, keeps the house stocked with food and cooks five delicious dinners each week. Meals are simple and usually vegetarian.
The house itself is a historic treasure. Believed to have been designed by Charles Bulfinch in 1804, the house was constructed by Charles Paine in 1805 and 1806. Originally two separate houses, they were later joined into one house by Edwin Farnham Greene and his wife Charlotte Nichols Greene. The beautiful columned entranceway, an operational vintage elevator and the lovely two-story hall, which opens onto a private garden are just some of the unique elements of the house.
Many public events take place at Beacon Hill Friends House, including Beacon Hill Seminars, Boston Early Music Festival performances, Boston Old Path Sangha Buddhist Meditation, and Quaker Meeting for Worship every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The house also offers two guest rooms as a reasonably-priced bed-and-breakfast. The newest event, Friends and Neighbors, will focus on bringing neighbors and house residents together to socialize.
For more information about Beacon Hill Friends House, please visit its Web site: http://www.bhfh.org/. Beacon Hill Friends House, Inc. is a non-profit 503c corporation, which accepts tax deductible donations.

PHOTO 1 CAPTION: Mary Fran Townsend of Chestnut Street and Sharon Malt of West Cedar Street after browsing the silent auction.

PHOTO 2 CAPTION: Marty and Michael Keating of West Cedar Street and Gordon Burnes and Susie Tapson of Chestnut Street celebrate the Charles River.

On the evening of Oct. 2, more than 200 gathered on the shores of the Charles River in Brighton to celebrate Douglas Foy, a dedicated environmental advocate, who was honored by Charles River Watershed Association as a “Champion of the Charles.”
Foy, former Secretary of Commonwealth Development, was previously president of the Conservation Law Foundation for 25 years. He is best known nationally for his role in the cleanup of Boston Harbor and has been a long-term environmental campaigner and advocate. He is currently president of Serrafix, a consulting firm working to transform America’s energy profile.
“We are very pleased to award Doug our first Blue Medal award, in appreciation of his tireless work to restore the Charles and the environment throughout New England,” said Bob Zimmerman, executive director of Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA). “He’s a true ‘champion’ whose work has significantly improved all of our lives.”
The gala celebration, themed “river chic with a touch of blue,” took place at the new architecturally distinguished Harry Parker Boathouse at Community Rowing. Guests included Lt. Governor Kerry Healy, illustrious rowing coach Harry Parker (for whom the boathouse is named), and Executive Directors Whitney Hatch (Trust for Public Lands), Andy Falender (Appalachian Mountain Club), Renata Von Tscarner (Charles River Conservancy) and John Kassel (Conservation Law Foundation). Attendees were treated to the music of Fran Dagostino Band, enjoyed fresh local cuisine from Max Ultimate Food, and bid on silent auction items, with proceeds going to Charles River Watershed Association’s efforts to protect and preserve the river.
The “Champion of the Charles” designation recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions in protecting the Charles River. This year’s event was sponsored by Mirant, New England Biolabs, U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Vanhasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. and Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation. Event chairs were Diane Hall of Wellesley and Sharon Malt of Beacon Hill.

One of the joys of living on Beacon Hill is the abundance of community organizers who belong to community organizations hell bent on making life on the Hill worth living. Frequently, two or more of these erstwhile groups collaborate on an event that is not only healthy for everyone but is actually designed for fun.
Beacon Hill Seminars, a non-profit founded with the mission to keep people's brain cells well-exercised, is pairing up with Hill House, the community center on Beacon Hill that is committed to keeping families well-exercised overall.
The event is called “Jazz on the Hill” and will take place on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m., at Hill House, 127 Mount Vernon St. It will feature the Shimon Ben-Shir Group who have performed all over Boston, playing a wide range of musical genres, including big band, jazz, blues, rock and pop. Their participation has been made possible by the Boston Global Bridge Institute and Jazz in the Square. Donation at the door is $10 for adults, children under 12 are admitted for free. No reservations are required.
In addition to the music local restaurants will be offering specially priced features to Jazz on the Hillers starting at 5:30 p.m. Participating restaurants are Toscano, Artu, Beacon Hill Bistro, LaLa Rokh and Bin 26. Just tell them you’re going to Jazz on the Hill!