STAFFORD – Crowds of people, alongside their four-legged companions, rallied at Mud City Crab House for the 10th Annual Arctic Outreach. Despite the “arctic” theme, the day was filled with warmth, laughter, and an overwhelming sense of community, all in loving memory of Mallory McBrien.
Mallory tragically lost her battle with cervical cancer in 2016 at the age of 32, leaving behind her husband Timothy and two children, Piper and Cedar. What began as a community effort to support the family during Mallory’s illness has blossomed into an annual tradition. The event has grown into a major fundraiser for the Jetty Rock Foundation, raising $500,000 as it celebrated its 10th year.
A portion of the proceeds from Arctic Outreach directly supports Mallory’s children, Piper and Cedar, through trust funds established in their names. Jeremy DeFilippis, a partner and CEO of Jetty and a driving force behind the Jetty Rock Foundation, explained the foundation’s dedication to both Mallory’s children and the wider community.
Melanie Magaziner, Managing Partner at Tide Table Group, was one of the organizers. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“Every dollar today benefits the Jetty Rock Foundation, which is the nonprofit arm of the Jetty brand,” DeFilippis said. “The foundation is where we run all of our charitable giving through philanthropy. In loving memory of Mallory McBrien, all the proceeds go to community members in need, but first and foremost, we break out a certain percentage for her two children. We started a college fund for them several years back.”
The Jetty Rock Foundation’s stated mission is to “protect our oceans and waterways and support those who build their lives around them” and has evolved significantly since its inception following Superstorm Sandy.
“Initially, we were really a storm relief organization,” shared DeFilippis. “But that goes hand in hand with community. As we built the foundation after Sandy, some houses needed to be torn down and renovated. We worked together to go beyond storm relief and take care of the environment and our community.”
A large crowd helped raise money for local charities at the Arctic Outreach. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
DeFilippis said the Jetty Rock Foundation has supported other families in addition to the McBriens. Among their efforts have included stepping in to help those who lost their homes to a fire as well as others dealing with devastating illnesses.
For Melanie Magaziner, Managing Partner at Tide Table Group and one of the event’s originators, Arctic Outreach began as a deeply personal endeavor. She fondly recalled Mallory’s time working at their restaurants. “I knew Mallory since she was a little kid,” said Magaziner. “She worked for us at Mud City, the Old Causeway, and the Black Whale.”
“This is our tenth year doing the event,” Magaziner added. “The first time we did, she was still with us. She died that November.”
Arctic Outreach featured a variety of attractions and food and drinks. Children bounced around in a giant inflatable snowman igloo while local bands provided live music within a tented area. There was face painting and even a “Pie-a-Cop” station. Out of Sight Alpacas provided a unique photo opportunity, with attendees posing with the gentle animals. Local artist Tina Smith led a collaborative painting session, where random contributors added paint strokes to a piece that was later raffled off.
A Stafford police officer covered in whipped cream by someone who bought a ticket to “Pie-A-Cop.” (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“I have my own art business,” said Smith, whose work can be found on Instagram as SketchyTina. “I was asked to do a live painting last year where I would paint something. But instead of me painting, I had people coming up to the canvas to start me off, and they ended up taking over the whole thing. I then added my little touch. Everybody had so much fun.”
Mallory’s mother, Patti Stewart, couldn’t help but remark on the event’s perfect weather – nestled between two cold, windy days. She shared that it had started as a lighthearted joke among organizers that Mallory somehow always ensured a beautiful, sunny day.
Beyond honoring Mallory’s memory, the event has also become a way to instill the value of giving back in her children. Piper, now 13, volunteered at this year’s Arctic Outreach, while Cedar, 10, understands that the funds raised will support their family and help others in need throughout the community.
Stewart credited Magaziner and DeFilippis for their unwavering support. “They said, ‘We’re going to do something for them (Mallory’s family), and it’s going to be epic. And it has been – it is epic.”
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