Poland Spring® Announces Partnership with Foundations Created to Honor Boston Marathon Bombing Victims
The Northeast’s Largest Water Brand is Collaborating with the Martin Richard Foundation, Krystle Campbell Memorial Fund and Lingzi Foundation as Part of a Brand Commitment to Deepen its Support within Local Boston Communities
Boston, MA – April 17, 2023 – This morning, shortly before the 127th Boston Marathon begins, the race’s longtime official water, Poland Spring® Brand 100% Natural Spring Water, which is part of BlueTriton Brands, announced it will be donating $25,000 this year split among the three foundations created in honor of the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing: Martin Richard, 8, Lingzi Lu, 23 and Krystle Campbell, 29.
Since that horrible day on April 15, 2013, Poland Spring has been inspired by the strength and dignity shown by those three families, and their incredible dedication to Bostonians by creating organizations that have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those in their community.
From the beginning in 1845, Poland Spring has been deeply rooted in local communities. “For over 178 years, we’ve seen how that support has sustained people during the most difficult times of their lives and given them strength to move forward,” said Basak Baysal, Brand Manager for Poland Spring. “No one has exemplified that spirit more than the city of Boston and the Richard, Lu and Campbell families. We are honored to partner with them this year. It is our hope that others will join us in the years to come so these groups can continue their work year-round.”
Bill Richard, Martin’s father who co-founded the Martin Richard Foundation with his wife Denise, said, “We started the foundation in 2014, to keep Martin’s spirit of sportsmanship, inclusion, and peace for all alive. With the generosity and support of our family, friends, and neighbors, we’ve been able to do just that while also doing what we can to help the Boston and Dorchester communities.” They added, “We’d like to thank Poland Spring for their donation and commitment, which will enable us to continue our work, including maintaining Martin’s Park in Boston and investing in programs that encourage young people to celebrate diversity and become leaders.”
Meghan M. Zaremba, the Lingzi Foundation’s Administrator said, “Lingzi was a joyful light who lived life to the fullest. We created the foundation to reflect her positive spirit, her ability to bring people together, and her deep appreciation of the beauty in the world. We thank Poland Spring for supporting us as we continue our goal to help the communities she loved so much.”
(L) Helen Zhao, Lingzi’s Aunt and (R) Meghan Zaremba
For Krystle Campbell’s friends Elliott Nerland, his wife Erin Daly, and Bonnie Fleischer, who co-founded the Krystle Campbell Memorial Fund with Krystle’s mother Patty, the donation came at a perfect moment. “Going from year to year, we never knew how long it would last,” said Nerland. “Our partnership with Poland Spring is solidifying that we’re going to continue, that our fundraising and our celebrating Krystle’s life on Marathon Mondays will continue.” Daly added, “It’s all just very exciting. We’re very thankful.”
(L) Erin Daly, (C) Bonnie Fleischer and (R) Elliott Nerland
Nerland continued, “We try to make larger donations to larger organizations that will have a greater impact. With our collaborations with the Medford Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility at the Medford Public Schools, we’re able to impact hundreds of children, and they are making their communities a better place.”
Fleischer added, “And that was how Krystle lived her life, making the world a better place, person by person.”
The donation is part of a commitment from Poland Spring to deepen its connection with local communities in the Northeast. Over the next few years, Poland Spring will continue to support Boston organizations making a difference and inspire others to do the same.
