Pledge

Mike Kelly led the Pledge

Inspiration 

Providence Rotary Charities Foundation Presentation

Awards were presented by Anthony Landi, Chair of the Providence Rotary Charities Foundation, who spoke about the significance of community partnership and the collective effort required to drive positive change. The Foundation manages almost $2 million in assets and has awarded over $500,000 in grants over the last five years with the support they give to the George W. Babcock Childhood Literacy Initiative, which gets funded by our annual Legends For Literacy Gala. 

Each organization recognized reflects the Rotary’s ongoing commitment to service above self and to strengthening the fabric of our local communities.

Mary Brewster started the presentations by acknowledging our First Annual Margaret Kane Award.  Margaret's estate has generously bequeathed over $250,000 to the foundation. The award honors a group for their dedication to ideals that were near to Margaret's heart.  

We have two recipients this year, and they are:

• Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England
  Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England Community partnership and campership programs

• Girls on the Run Rhode Island
  Physical activity-based positive youth development

The other award recipients were:

• Camp JORI
  Scholarship assistance for the neediest children

• Camp Ruggles
  2026 George M. Jacques camperships for needy children

• Camp Surefire 
  Overnight summer camp week for children with Type-1 Diabetes

• Clothes to Kids RI, Inc.
  Enhancing dignity, one wardrobe at a time

• College Visions
  College Access Program (CAP)

• Community Boating Center, Inc.
  Eco-adventure sailing camp

• Community Libraries of Providence
  Help our Readmobile roll all summer!

• Community Preparatory School
  Scholarship Aid

• FirstWorks 
  FirstWorks Arts Education: bridging opportunity for RI students and families

• Inspiring Minds
  KidsBridge – free, six-week, full-day Summer Program

• Katie Brown Educational Program
  Relationship violence prevention education in Providence

• Meals on Wheels of RI, Inc.
  Purchase of 12,000 pounds of food, which equates to approximately 14,000 meals from the Rhode Island Food Bank

• Nourish to Flourish
  A food pantry shelf upgrade and nutrition education initiative

• Providence Promise
  Family Engagement Program and the Early Scholarship Program

• Providence Public Library
  Summer with your PVD libraries

• Rhode Island Tutorial and Educational Services (dba RITES)
  Expanding access to specialized tutoring for Rhode Island students

• Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education (RISE)
  Mentoring and Wrap Around Supports for children of incarcerated parents

• San Miguel School
  Supporting the athletics program with the purchase of uniforms

• Save The Bay
  After-school programming with Providence students 

• Sojourner House
  Camp Eureka, the free week-long Summer Camp for children who have witnessed violence in their homes

• The Hope Academy
  Reading Week

• The Samaritans
  Little Hearts, Big Hopes: The Befriending Tree Project – The Befriending Tree and the Bunny, a beautifully illustrated Children’s Book 

Each of these organizations was recognized for their dedication, innovation, and measurable contributions to the individuals and communities they serve.

Overall, the luncheon provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the breadth of impactful work happening locally and reinforced the importance of continued support and engagement with these organizations.

Anthony also thanked the Foundation Board for their work over the year:

• Walter Cotter, Vice Chair

• PP Holly Applegate

• Mary Brewster

• Robert Murphy

• PP Donald R. Saracen

• PP Grafton H. “Cap” Willey IV

• Luis Lourenco, Administrator

• Suzanne M. Cannon, Foundation Administrative Assistant