Mayor Walsh issues proclamation permanently designating April 15 as One Boston Day

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today issued a proclamation permanently designating April 15 as "One Boston Day."  Last year marked the beginning of this new annual Boston tradition that serves as an opportunity to celebrate 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.

"April 15 is a date that has come to stand for our city's deepest values, and we continue to be amazed by the spirit of the day, in the City, and around the world," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud to sign this proclamation so that everyApril 15 we are inspired to come together to honor the bravery, the resolve and the unity of the City by reaching out, helping those in need, committing random acts of kindness."

"One Boston Day" encourages random acts of kindness and spreading goodwill, and activities across the City will encourage individuals to give back to their community. The new tradition came together in 2015 based on the desire expressed by many survivors to pass on the kindness, generosity and support they received following the 2013 Boston Marathon.

The City of Boston has launched onebostonday.org, where individuals and organizations can share their plans for One Boston Day and are encouraged to use the hashtag #OneBostonDay.  As in the past, Hill Holliday is serving as the creative and digital marketing partner to help spread awareness and raise the visibility of One Boston Day.

Moment of Silence

The City of Boston will hold a moment of silence at 2:49 p.m. on April 15 to mark the three-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings and church bells will then ring throughout the City.  Mayor Walsh is encouraging people outside of the City, and around the world, to join Bostonians in the moment of silence.

The City of Boston has organized several different efforts to honor One Boston Day, including:

Donation Drive for Flint, Michigan

Mayor Walsh has reached out to Mayor Karen Weaver of Flint, Michigan to offer any assistance during this time of need, and the City of Flint has accepted this offer. On April 15, the City will be running a donation drive for specific items Flint has indicated are most needed: pre-mixed baby formula, baby wipes and hand sanitizer.

Donations will be accepted at the third floor of City Hall, at 1010 Mass Ave at the Inspectional Services Department on the 5th floor, all Boston Children, Youth and Families (BCYF) Community Centers, and all fire and police stations as well as all Boston Public Libraries.

Donation Drive for the St. Francis House

In partnership with John Hancock Financial, the City of Boston is collecting used adult sneakers for the St. Francis House to benefit homeless men and women across Boston. Large collection boxes will be on the third floor of City Hall, and on One Boston Day there will be a collection box at the Marathon Jumbotron on the corner of Exeter and Boylston from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The general public is encouraged to donate. The St. Francis House is New England's largest day shelter and the largest distributor of clothing and shoes to Boston's homeless population.

311

In addition, the City's BOS:311 app will have special One Boston Day reports on Friday which will allow people to share and post pictures of how they are honoring the day. The free BOS:311 app can be downloaded on iOS or Android at http://www.cityofboston.gov/doit/apps/311.asp

Additional details about Mayor Walsh's schedule on One Boston Day, as well as service projects throughout the City will be available later this week.