Local Veterans Receive Support at Community Rowing

BOSTON, MA—Community Rowing, Inc. (CRI) is honored to announce it has received a generous grant from the Allston Brighton Community Fund, matched by Brighton Marine, in support of its Military Rowing program. The Allston Brighton Community Fund grant is a result of a community agreement with Clear Channel Outdoor, for which Brighton Marine serves as a fiscal agent.

“Offering this program free of charge to all veterans and their families is a small token of our thanks and respect for our veterans,” said Ted Benford, Executive Director of CRI. “Support from the Allston Brighton Community Fund helps make this program function more predictably and successfully for our vets. Brighton Marine is truly committed to our local veterans and service members and we’re grateful for our long-standing partnership.”

Rowing is a natural fit for veterans and military personnel. It provides opportunities for physical challenges, discipline, and camaraderie.

“Rowing shares so many of the qualities that are inherent to military service, and which are so often missing in day-to-day civilian life,” said Franklin Schwarzer, a veteran and rower at CRI. “It requires teamwork, discipline, loyalty, and constant effort… We row for ourselves but also for the others in the boat. As such, when we row, we become greater than ourselves, greater than our backgrounds, greater than our individual strengths and weaknesses. We become a team. We become a boat.”

Rowing classes in this program are available for all levels of experience and abilities. They provide an opportunity to relieve stress related to everyday life and the military experience. Individuals can also compete in local and national regattas, like the Head Of The Charles and, possibly travel to California for the San Diego Crew Classic.

Brighton Marine is a pillar organization in Allston-Brighton, offering housing, healthcare and other support to veterans. The Allston Brighton Community Fund was established by Brighton Marine for distribution to programs and services that benefit the local community. CRI and Brighton Marine look forward to continuing and strengthening their ongoing partnership

In addition to Brighton Marine, CRI is proud to partner with Veterans Affairs facilities, Boston Vet Center, Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative, Hope for the Warriors, USO New England, Hanscom Air Force Base, and Home Base.

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Community Rowing Inc. was founded in 1985 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the belief that the sport of rowing provides unique opportunities to promote personal and community growth through teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. We invite individuals of all backgrounds, abilities and experience to grow through rowing.