PROVIDENCE – Eight Rhode Islanders will be honored tomorrow at the Sixth Annual Community Heroes Breakfast Celebration, a collaborative effort of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the American Red Cross Rhode Island Chapter.
The 90-minute event will take place at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, where a brief speaking program at 8 a.m. will be followed by breakfast and a video tribute to this year’s honorees.
The annual awards recognize “Rhode Islanders whose collective acts of kindness improve the well-being of our community,” the groups said in their announcement. The program accepts nominees in six categories: health care, good Samaritan, lifesaving, emergency service, outstanding citizenship and classroom heroes.
This year’s winners are:
• Rajiv Kumar of Providence, the Brown University medical student who two years ago founded ShapeUp Rhode Island, a statewide healthy living and weight loss challenge that this year has enrolled 7,000 participants. “I cannot tell you how proud I am to have led this campaign,” Kumar said in a statement. “I believe that I have found an innovative way for all of us to begin a candid conversation about these important issues while at the same time taking significant steps toward reversing a dangerous trend.”
• The 106 members of the North Providence Fire Department, who for 15 years have been hosting an annual dinner and holiday party for the staff and children of the St. Mary’s Home for Children. “We look forward to the holiday party and dinner each year and it means a lot to have St. Mary’s acknowledge us for our contribution,” said acting Chief Donald Clark.
• Paul J. Pinault of Cranston, a professional chef who for more than a decade has been volunteering his efforts for the monthly soup kitchen at SS. Peter and Andrew Episcopal Church in Providence. “It is a wonderful feeling to provide such a nice meal to our guests,” he said. “I may make a difference in their lives, but they make one in mine. I feel such a personal reward.”
• Marty Glynn of Cumberland, a volunteer for three years with AIDS Project Rhode Island, and a member of the nonprofit’s Buddy Program, who also volunteers his time and pickup truck to deliver donated furniture and other goods to clients’ homes. “Maybe if someday I need help, someone will be there for me,” said Glynn.
• John and Meg DeCubellis of Narragansett – who, after their daughter was killed by a drunken driver, founded the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation to promote youth leadership and educate young people about the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
• Dan Corley of Providence, co-founder of the Community Prep School in South Providence, which has won national acclaim for its innovative methods and its record of success. Over the past 23 years, he has grown the school from 25 students to 158, and achieved an average college attendance rate of 82 percent. (READ MORE) “I’ve learned that people in general will do a great deal for their children,” Corley said. “It’s very rewarding.”
• Nazly Guzman-Singletary of Providence, co-director of the AmeriCorps program at Ready to Learn Providence, where she selects, trains and supervises a team of 30 early childhood education volunteers, ages 18 to 62, who visit homes, community centers and libraries to read books to pre-kindergarteners and help teach the children both English and Spanish. ““We are three years into the program and the kids love it,” she said. “They’re always saying, ‘read me that book The Very Hungry Caterpillar again!’”
• Gloria Fairbanks of Warwick, founding coordinator of the city’s Youth Program Office, which was established seven years ago to provide after-school programs in local middle schools and has grown to include a three-week summer Adventure Camp, presented by the office in cooperation with the R.I. National Guard, the Champlin Foundation, the Warwick Police and the Warwick Parks and Recreation Departments. “We are fortunate that she has been an innovative and creative problem-solver for children in our city,” said Mayor Scott Avedisian, who nominated Fairbanks for the award.
Besides being honored at the annual breakfast, each winner is featured in a live interview on WHJJ talk radio’s “Helen Glover Show”; receives a health and safety pack containing a first aid kit and wellness information; and is honored with a donation in his or her name to the Red Cross Community Heroes Health and Safety Education Fund.
Those planning to attend the Oct. 18 breakfast include Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, Warwick’s Mayor Avedisian, North Providence Charles A. Lombardi and representatives of BCBSRI and the local Red Cross.
For additional information on the Community Heroes Program – presented by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the American Red Cross Rhode Island Chapter – or to nominate someone for a Community Hero Award, visit www.bcbsri.com.
