Alan McClennan and his granddaughter at HOCR 2024.
CCF is grateful to be an official charity partner of the Head Of The Charles® Regatta (HOCR), the world’s largest two-day rowing event. The HOCR’s decades-long commitment to CCF is a testament to collective impact—rowers from neighboring communities and around the country and world give back and make a positive impact in Cambridge.
Among the rowers supporting CCF this year was Alan McClennan, an 85-year-old with deep ties to our city. Alan, who was born at Mt. Auburn Hospital, spent his early years in Cambridge before his family moved. He later returned to attend Harvard, worked in the city as an urban planner for nearly a decade, and served on the Cambridge Savings Bank board, a role held by four generations of McClennans.
This year, Alan competed in two HOCR events, including a parent-child row with his granddaughter, a collegiate hockey player 66 years his junior. “For me, it’s something truly special to sit in a boat with my granddaughter,” Alan reflected.
The rowers pulling for CCF are powering the Foundation’s Community Fund, which supports about 150 local nonprofits tackling challenges like housing insecurity, food access, and educational equity.
“It’s always inspiring to be out in the community and hear what matters most to people, like Alan, who love Cambridge,” said Jennie Woo, CCF’s director of development. “Seeing the enthusiasm of the rowers and spectators alike motivates us to keep striving to make this a city where everyone can thrive.”
Rowers weren’t the only ones making waves at this year’s HOCR. CCF staff and Board members turned out to cheer on athletes, connect with old and new friends, and spread the word about the Foundation’s work.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the HOCR board, staff, and incredible rowers, the power of sport is translating to transformative impact in Cambridge, creating a stronger and more equitable community for all.
