Ocean House raises $100,000+ for Misquamicut relief fund; Community readies for season re-opening

March 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Westerly, R.I. – Less than five months after Hurricane Sandy ripped through Misquamicut, R.I., a flurry of local fundraisers—culminated by an Ocean House gala—has readied the community for the season, starting with the poignant Hands Along the Sands in May.

Immediately after the superstorm set her sights on Misquamicut, making it the epicenter of her wrath in New England and causing more than $14 million in damages, the local community responded. The Greater Westerly Chamber Foundation established the Jump Start Small Business Recovery Grant Fund. Since then, T-shirt sales, concerts, and a multitude of other fundraisers generated more than $200,000. On Feb. 23rd, the Ocean House’s stunning Black and White benefit gala brought the fund to $315,000, all of which translates into much-needed grants to aid Misquamicut’s small businesses.

Now, a community that has fought to ‘Bring Back the Beach’ is preparing to kick off the summer season and welcome visitors back to the Westerly shore with a weekend of events, starting with the powerfully symbolic Hands Along the Sands event May 17th.

“The day after Sandy, I, like so many of my neighbors and friends, could only cry when witnessing the utter devastation,” said Lisa Konicki, executive director of the Greater Westerly Chamber of Commerce. “In the days since, the response and support to ‘Bring Back the Beach’ has been overwhelming. There are so many people to thank, especially the Ocean House, who helped us raise $100,000 in just one amazing evening. Thousands of us now are ready to join hands and celebrate that the beach is, indeed, back for the season.”

Hands Along the Sands starts at 10 a.m. on May 17th. During the 30-minute event, thousands of residents, business owners, and supporters will gather along the Misquamicut shoreline, holding hands to show their united front after months of recovery efforts. A helicopter will fly by and record this activity. In the two weeks prior, representatives from Save the Bay and the Mystic Aquarium’s JASON project will visit Westerly schools and incorporate curriculum on the changes and challenges of living in a shoreline community. Volunteers are sought to participate, and each will be given a special commemorative souvenir.

On May 18th and 19th, meanwhile, Misquamicut will host Bold R Dash, Rhode Island’s own 5k military-style obstacle course race. More than 3,000 participants will compete in a course of walls, cargo nets, boulders, and other obstacles laid out entirely in the sand at Misquamicut Beach and Westerly Town Beach.

About the Jump Start Small Business Recovery Grant Fund


The Jump Start Small Business Recovery Grant Fund was established by the Greater Westerly Chamber Foundation in response to Hurricane Sandy’s devastation of Misquamicut Beach. The Misquamicut business community—comprised entirely of small businesses—suffered an estimated $14 million in damages from Hurricane Sandy in October. The Jump Start Small Business Recovery Grant Fund, thanks to fundraisers, corporate support and personal donations, is providing grants to those small businesses to help them recover and rebuild in time for the 2013 summer season. All donations will be allocated directly to recovery and rebuilding. As an initiative of the 501c3 Greater Westerly Chamber Foundation, all Jump Start Small Business Recovery Grant Fund donations are tax deductible. Donations can be sent to 1 Chamber Way, Westerly, RI 02891. For more information, please visit www.westerlychamber.org.