For the fifth consecutive year, Bill and Tammie Delmage of WD & Associates Inc., a health care consulting firm in East Providence, have helped children in Rhode Island’s foster care system go back to school with new backpacks and supplies. more

Runners in the 2012 CVS Caremark Downtown 5K hit the streets in Providence Sept. 16. More than 4,400 people participated in the main 5K race while 1,350 children took part in youth races. Along with a host of elite and competitive athletes, recreational runners, wheelchair competitors and walkers joined children to fill out the field. Last year the race raised $75,000 for local charities, bringing the total to that point during CVS Caremark’s 13-year sponsorship to $1.3 million. more

The Rhode Island Blood Center and Dunkin’ Donuts will kick off National Blood Donor Month and the “Give a Pint, Get a Pound” program on Jan. 7. more

Doras International Institute of Rhode Island has launched a national search for a new CEO after the resignation of current CEO Carol Friday. more

Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island has announced that the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, which the nonprofit is building as Rhode Island’s official sailing education vessel, has been granted a permanent home on the north side of a new pier being built as part of improvements at Fort Adams State Park. more

As today’s economic climate continues to be an uphill battle for many, local nonprofits are finding that freshening up fundraising initiatives is imperative. While the typical mainstays of fundraising, such as direct mail campaigns, are unlikely to disappear, some local nonprofits are thinking beyond the postcard and seeing positive results. more

We’re all familiar with the billboard image and mission of Big Brothers and Big Sisters: a man or woman offering care, time and attention to a lonely or overlooked boy or girl. more

Segue Institute for Learning, a charter school opened in 2009, is actively seeking interested community-based service providers to form a planning committee for community programs and services at its new Segue MAGn’t Annex. more

Chelo’s Restaurant Group, a family-owned restaurant company in Rhode Island, has raised $12,080 to help fund child and family behavioral health services at The Provide Center at the company’s 25th annual Golf Classic held last September at the Cranston Country Club. more

In a challenging economy, nothing seems more important for employers than productivity during the workday. The focus is on meeting your goals, serving the needs of your customers, managing major issues and/or creating innovative new products or services. While these are critical priorities, it’s also important to consider how your big picture could be positively impacted by other things, such as serving the community. more