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Hundreds of enthusiastic participants gathered on Sunday, Feb. 16, at Collins Park Beach to take part in the inaugural Miami Beach Cupid Splash, a Valentine’s Day weekend “polar plunge” with a tropical twist.
As water temperatures reached their seasonal coldest, the crowd dashed into the Atlantic Ocean in a fun and spirited effort to raise funds to restore and protect Biscayne Bay.
Thanks to the participants’ courage and community spirit, the event raised $42,007.26 for the Biscayne Bay Recovery Fund at The Miami Foundation. These funds are now being distributed to four outstanding local organizations whose work supports a healthier, more resilient Biscayne Bay.
The beneficiaries of the 2025 Cupid Splash include:
VolunteerCleanUp.org – Grassroots cleanups – What started as a simple solution to connect volunteers with organizers leading cleanups quickly turned into a countywide movement.
As of January 2023, the platform has helped facilitate more than 3,000 cleanups, with 30,000 volunteers removing over 600,000 pounds of trash and debris from Miami-Dade County beaches and shorelines.
Clean Miami Beach – Grassroots clean ups – Since 2019, Clean Miami Beach has committed to preserving the environment of Miami Beach and its surrounding ecosystems. With more than 20,000 volunteers, they have facilitated over 470 cleans ups and collected over 120,000 pounds of trash from Miami Beach beaches.
Blue Scholars Initiative – Education – Blue Scholars Initiative is dedicated to fostering ocean stewardship among you through hands-on marine science education. The programs engage students in marine biology, ecology, and watershed concepts, providing immersive experiences both on the water and in the classroom.
Ripples of Impact – Drowning initiative – Ripples of Impact is dedicated to building community resilience through education, environmental stewardship, and youth empowerment. Their Swim Scholarships and Tuition Assistance program offers free and reduced-cost swim lessons to children in underserved communities. Ripples of Impact aims to promote water safety and build lifesaving skills among youth.
“The Cupid Splash is a powerful reminder of the heart and dedication our residents have for protecting and restoring Biscayne Bay,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I’m incredibly proud of our community for coming together to raise over $40,000 in support of the organizations working every day to protect the blue heart of Miami-Dade.
When we come together, we don’t just make a splash — we make waves of lasting change.”
This fundraiser was made possible by one Miami Beach resident, Bruce Berman. Berman, a Boston native, previously hosted the annual “Save the Harbor” event, where the winter water temperature is 38 degrees. After years of raising money to support the restoration of Boston’s harbor, Berman produced a similar event to support Biscayne Bay.
“Here in Miami, just like in Boston, clean water and a healthy marine environment are core family values.” Berman said. “It was great to work with so many people who care about the bay, the beach and our community. We are already planning for next year’s Miami Beach Cupid Splash on Sunday, Feb. 15 at Collins Park Beach. Sure, we will be chilly for a few minutes but the warm feeling we will get from giving back to our community will last a long time.”
“There’s purpose in bringing together people for a local cause,” said Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. “This is exactly the kind of civic leadership we love to see from Miamians – identifying issues that matter like protecting Biscayne Bay, and mobilizing others to join in. Cupid Splash was a blast, and it brought serious resources to organizations that protect our Bay.”
Learn more about how you can support Biscayne Bay year-round- including how to stay informed about the Protect Biscayne Bay license plate at Biscayne Bay Recovery Efforts – The Miami Foundation.
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