Subaru of New England returns as a lead sponsor, joined by Oris and Barrett Outdoor Communications
New Haven, Conn. – Save the Sound has coordinated the statewide Connecticut Cleanup as part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) since 2002. With the help of many sponsors and local volunteer organizers (aka Cleanup Captains), Save the Sound has hosted nearly 1,000 cleanups since establishing this partnership, and every year it grows in number and geographic range. This 20th year, the program has broken a record with three leading sponsors, setting the 2022 Connecticut Cleanup up to be the biggest and best yet.
The official sponsor of Save the Sound’s Connecticut Cleanup for the past three years, Subaru of New England, has returned to anchor the effort. This year they are joined at the top sponsorship level, “Habitat Hero,” by Oris and Barrett Outdoor Communications. Together, these three generous sponsors will support the growth of the program by funding materials, staff hours, and awareness campaigns. Most significantly, the funding has allowed Save the Sound to hire a Connecticut Cleanup Intern to help coordinate the cleanups throughout the summer and fall and on International Coastal Cleanup Day, September 17.
“We are so appreciative to have such strong support for the program this year,” says Annalisa Paltauf, volunteer coordinator for Save the Sound. “The increased interest in the Connecticut Cleanup over the past several years, which persisted even throughout the pandemic with the help of stalwart sponsors like Subaru of New England, has brought new energy to the program. Together we’re growing beyond the coast by offering more cleanups along inland rivers, lakes, and wetlands; this year’s sponsors will help expand habitat-cleaning events to even more communities.”
Recognizing how critical their support has been in past years, Subaru of New England increased their gift to help achieve the larger goals of the program. Subaru’s love for the outdoors and community-focused service are well-aligned with the overall mission of the Connecticut Cleanup, and the New England dealerships use that alignment to provide indispensable media and marketing support for the cleanup effort.
“At Subaru of New England, we are proud to be more than a car company,” says Jeff Ruble, chief operating officer of Subaru of New England. “Preserving the environment is at the heart of the Subaru Love Promise, and participating in Save the Sound’s Connecticut Cleanup alongside our Connecticut Retailers has become a core, annual event. We are honored to offer our continued support by becoming a Habitat Hero. We hope by giving this crucial program the opportunity to grow, Save the Sound can continue their environmental successes and provide even more protection for local habitats and communities.”
Barret Outdoor Communications has also been a longtime supporter and sponsor of the Connecticut Cleanup, donating prominent billboard space to help reach potential volunteers. The family-owned company is well-integrated in the New England community and committed to local and global issues. Their donation of outdoor advertisement of the program has raised public awareness for over a decade—and in 2022 they joined as a financial sponsor on top of their in-kind contributions.
“Borrowing a quote from Jacques Yves Cousteau, we forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one,” says Bruce A. Barrett. “I grew up on the Sound—I swim, I sail, I kayak, I rest, and I draw life from Long Island Sound. I’ve watched the mackerel vanish, the lobster decline, the trash build up, and now, in her time of need, through Save the Sound, all of us can return the love and wonder the Sound has given us. This is a great group and a greater cause.”
Oris, a Swiss watch company, sponsored their first individual cleanup in 2021 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. This year, they made the leap to support the entire Connecticut Cleanup program at the Habitat Hero level. While Oris is a new sponsor, they are not new to nature conservation—the company is named after a local brook in the Swiss town of Hölstein, and they have long coordinated their own cleanup efforts.
“We were thrilled to partner with Save the Sound for their year-long cleanup initiatives,” says V.J. Geronimo, Oris’ North American CEO. “As part of our ‘Change for the Better’ initiative, we are excited to work with local organizations to help clean up and do our part for a more sustainable future.”
The 2022 Connecticut Cleanup is also made possible by the generosity of other essential corporate sponsors including FactSet, HMTX Industries, Neuberger Berman, and True Benefit. Any organization interested in sponsoring the Connecticut Cleanup or an individual corporate cleanup is encouraged to contact Annalisa Paltauf at apaltauf@savethesound.org. Save the Sound is currently recruiting Connecticut residents as Cleanup Captains to help organize and lead cleanups at their local parks, rivers, and beaches. As cleanups are organized, a volunteer registration will open through Save the Sound’s website. Those interested in volunteering should register their interest here. Stay tuned for updates throughout the season on social media and at www.savethesound.org.
