Building On the Past
Mass Bears & Cubs (MBC) follows in the footsteps of earlier Boston-area bear groups that helped shape and strengthen our community over many years. Those early efforts laid the foundation for what would eventually become a permanent, volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to connection, visibility, and giving back.
The Mass Bearz Era (2010–2016)
A key moment in the modern Boston bear community came with the formation of Mass Bearz in the early 2010s. One of the group’s primary goals was to revive a local bear competition, which had not been held since 2007. In 2011, the first Mr. Boston Bear Competition returned and quickly became an annual tradition.
One of Mass Bearz’s co-founders, Jeff Zirpolo, was a bartender at The Alley Bar and a visible, welcoming presence in the community. Through his warmth and wide network of friends, Jeff helped grow Mass Bearz, recruit members, and build momentum. One of his goals was to see the organization formally incorporated as a nonprofit.
Tragically, Jeff passed away in March 2016. The remaining members continued Mass Bearz’s work for several months, but the group ultimately dissolved in late 2016. Jeff’s impact, however, remains a lasting part of our story and spirit.
For further background information on Mass Bearz, check out these archived articles published by The Rainbow Times:
The Birth of Mass Bears & Cubs (2016–2019)
In the wake of Mass Bearz dissolving, former members and community supporters came together with a shared goal: to preserve the events, relationships, and sense of community that had formed — and to build something lasting.
Mass Bears & Cubs was formed as an unincorporated association and held its first board meeting on December 7, 2016. The group continued many of the community traditions that people had come to love, including:
Mr. Boston Bear
Annual holiday toy drives
Summer harbor cruises
Community service and fundraising events
From the beginning, the group committed to honoring Jeff Zirpolo’s original vision of becoming a formal nonprofit organization.
After nearly three years of organizational work, Mass Bears & Cubs, Inc. was officially incorporated on November 12, 2019, and recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The Pandemic Years (2020–2022)
Soon after incorporation, the world changed.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person gatherings across Boston and beyond, impacting many of the community spaces that had always been at the heart of MBC. Like many organizations, we had to pause, adapt, and rethink how to stay connected when gathering wasn’t possible.
During this period, Mass Bears & Cubs focused on:
Maintaining communication through email and social media
Supporting the community in new ways
Preserving momentum so the organization could come back strong when in-person events returned
The pandemic reshaped how people connect — and it reinforced why community spaces matter.
Rebuilding, Growing, and Evolving (2023–Present)
As Boston reopened and in-person life returned, Mass Bears & Cubs entered a new chapter. Events came back, new members joined, and long-standing traditions regained their energy. The organization began focusing not just on restarting what had existed before — but on strengthening operations, growing partnerships, and expanding impact.
In 2024, MBC introduced a new logo and refreshed visual identity, marking a new era for the organization. This update reflected where the group is today: rooted in history, but actively evolving to serve a changing community.
Today, Mass Bears & Cubs continues to:
Host community-centered social events
Produce annual traditions like Mr. Boston Bear
Partner with local venues and nonprofits
Raise funds and give back to community causes
Create welcoming, inclusive spaces for people across the bear spectrum and beyond
Looking Ahead
Mass Bears & Cubs exists because people cared enough to keep showing up — through loss, change, a global pandemic, and moments of rebuilding. Our story is one of continuity, resilience, and community care.
This history isn’t finished. It’s still being written — by everyone who comes to an event, volunteers their time, becomes a member, partners with us, or simply shows up to connect.
Become a member today to be part of the next chapter.