One Boston Day 2023: Here’s How You Can Get Involved

One Boston Day is on the horizon. With it comes a number of opportunities to volunteer with your time, talent, or treasure.

As the One Boston Day website states:

One Boston Day recognizes the resiliency, generosity, and strength demonstrated by the people of Boston and those around the world in response to the tragedy of April 15, 2013. Ten years later, Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston invite community-based organizations, businesses, City workers, and residents to come together for volunteer events and acts of kindness in recognition of our City’s spirit of care for one another in response to the tragic events of April 15, 2013.

Marathon Monday, for obvious reasons, has become a complicated day not just for a lot of Bostonians, but for residents across the Commonwealth and New England. That being said, it still lives in my heart as the greatest of all Boston "holidays." And the community and volunteer opportunities that are available surrounding the day this year just add to that.

The City has already listed a number of events and volunteer opportunities on the website. Here's a handful to get you started.

Friday, April 14: Food Drive (North End and Charlestown)

Friday, April 14: Community Blood Drive

Saturday, April 15: Tenean Beach Cleanup

Saturday, April 15: SPARK Joy Boston Marathon Sign Making Party

Saturday, April 15: Community Portrait Project with MassArt Art Museum

Saturday, April 15: Honoring Mel King

There will also be a Remembrance at the Boston Marathon finish line on Saturday, April 15. You can find more details on that event here.

I challenge you this year to turn away from anything you come across that focuses on the violence of 10 years ago and instead embrace an act of kindness. As you've seen, there are plenty to choose from. Take good care this Marathon Monday, both of others and yourself.

A Boston Marathon bar crawl could be just the thing to take your Marathon Monday festivities to the next level.

A word to begin, however. Actually, three words: please drink responsibly. Seriously. I had this idea of putting together a bar crawl to celebrate Marathon Monday and the very next thought that crossed my mind was along the lines of "yeah, but isn't a bar crawl a form of binge drinking? Is that something you really want to promote?" No, I don't want to promote binge drinking. Hence the repetition of the three words: please drink responsibly. Pace yourself. Hydrate. Take breaks. Use public transportation.

Or just put it off! The cool thing about this particular crawl is that you don't have to do it on Marathon Monday. It was just inspired by the race route. What this is, in the end, is just a list of bars in each of the eight cities and towns that the Boston Marathon route passes through. Logistically, it might be better for you to NOT do it on Marathon Monday, given the road restrictions and shutdowns before and during race day. But hey, that's your call to make. I just came up with the list.

I chose the eight bars on the list; it's not somebody else's list with my witty quips. That being said, if you live in one of these towns or cities and are aghast that I didn't highlight your favorite local watering hole, just let me know on the ROCK 92.9 Facebook or Twitter. If I get enough suggestions, I'll put together a crowdsourced "Part 2." Because again, this is a Marathon Monday-inspired bar crawl. But it's good for anytime you and the crew are feeling adventurous. Just remember: please drink responsibly.

Start Line Brewing - I mean, c'mon. It's a mile and a half from the Marathon starting line! That's a no-brainer!

Stone's Public House - Just a "stones throw" (ha!) from the historical Marathon route. And talk about history: Stone's has been around for so long locals say it's haunted. Spooky!

Jack's Abby Beer Hall - The brewery has become a Framingham institution, and they open their outdoor patio on weekends starting in March.

Morse Tavern - After the runners make their way past the Town Common, make your way a few blocks down E. Central St. to the Morse for a beer and a burger or maybe some Greek cuisine.

The Cottage - Full bar service, a killer menu, and patio seating. Did we mention full bar service? Because they have full bar service.

Buff's Pub - OK, I know. Buff's is nowhere NEAR the Marathon route. But hear me out: they always have a ton of good beers on tap and they have the best damn Buffalo wings in the Boston metro.

The Publick House - In Brookline, there's The Publick House, then there's everywhere else. Tom from BostonTweet knows. And Tom's the authority on these things.

Back Bay Social Club - On Boylston St., just steps away from the Marathon finish line. Go visit my friends from indie617! They always throw a great Marathon Monday event.