EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
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Scholarship Foundation of East Providence recently held its 26th annual community-wide phone-a-thon. The all-volunteer group reported that this year’s event topped their $100,000 goal. Thanks to the support of local families, businesses and organizations, students from East Providence will receive scholarships of $1,100 or more this year through the phone-a-thon. Over the past two and a half decades, phone-a-thons have provided more than $2 million in scholarships for city residents.
In early March, more than 75 volunteers spent two evenings making calls to East Providence residents and raised over $61,000. The Carter Fund matched the first $45,000 received. The total amount of more than $106,000 will be awarded this year as scholarships to high school and college students living in East Providence.
Students from East Providence High School, La Salle Academy and Bay View Academy, as well as college students who were past scholarship recipients and their families took part in the fundraising event. Representatives of community groups and board members of Scholarship Foundation of East Providence joined in contacting thousands of East Providence residents.
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“We are fortunate to have held the fundraiser before Rhode Island was impacted by the pandemic,” stated Phone-a-thon Chair Louise Paiva. “We are grateful for the support of so many families, organizations, schools and businesses in our community to assist East Providence students,” she said. “This year, more than ever, students need as much help as they can get.”
New scholarships initiated this year through the phone-a-thon include the Carmella Vecchio Scholarship, the J’s Scholarship and the Judith Richardson Scholarship, as well as a memorial scholarship in memory of Paul Grande.
East Providence schools participated in Dress Down Days and made their contributions during the phone-a-thon. School PTAs also supported the phone-a-thon effort. Together, school-related organizations raised $8,000.
Nine past classes of East Providence High School contributed or sent volunteers to the phone-a-thon to make calls to increase the amount they award. Alumni from East Providence High School Classes of 1945, 1950, 1955, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1974 and 1985 collectively raised $7,750 in scholarships.
The Scholarship Foundation acknowledged the continuing support Nordson EFD. The phone-a-thon is held at their Catamore Boulevard facility and the company provides phone access, postage and refreshments for volunteers.