Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick (Airport), an IHG Hotel

A Wish Come True’s Gala September 28th will honor Athletic Director at Providence College

Event to honor Steve and Beth Napolillo for their long-standing contributions. 

The fall events season gets underway soon. With so many options for businesses and individuals to support area causes, there will be ways for everyone to brighten the lives of others.

One charitable organization, A Wish Come True—the oldest wish-granting organization in Rhode Island and Massachusetts—will host its “Wishes Take Flight” Gala on Saturday, September 28th, at the Crowne Plaza Pavilion in Warwick. 

Massey and Associates, Inc., is the Gala’s Presenting Sponsor

Event festivities begin at 6:00 PM featuring a cocktail hour. Other activities include a sit-down dinner, dancing, music provided by the Rug Burn Band, live and silent auctions, and more. Providence College Athletic Director Steve Napolillo and his wife, Beth, will be presented with the prestigious 2024 A Wish Come True Lifetime Impact Award for their contributions and commitment to helping others.

A Wish Come True Executive Director Mary-Kate O’Leary said recognizing the Napolillos for their efforts was easy.

“Steve and Beth are unsung heroes for making our mission their priority,” she said. “Their time and effort toward helping our Wish Kids means so much. The couple devotes their resources to help so many wish kids and their families realize that there are people who do make dreams come true. Over the years, it is estimated that Steve and Beth have connected and raised over $1.2 million towards granting wishes through their own private events, golf tournaments and leadership gifts at every A Wish Come True fundraising functions.”

The couple has strong ties with A Wish Come True. Last fall, the organization dedicated a playroom and relaxation center in their Coventry office to Steve’s late father, Bob. “Nap’s Nook is an incredible way to honor such commitment by this family. The celebration was marked with several members of the PC Friars Men’s Basketball team in attendance, and it is anticipated they will be present on September 28th along with many from the Providence College Friars family that love them as much as A Wish Come True.

Steve, who has been involved with A Wish Come True for more than two decades, said the honor is humbling to both of them.

“Beth and I are humbled about A Wish Come True celebrating our outreach over the last 21 years,” he said. “This is a cause that has deep roots within our entire family. It’s truly unbelievable for us to accept this award, but it would never have happened without the strength and support of the people working alongside us to make a difference for these families.”

There is still time to become involved as the organization is seeking sponsorships, ticket and table sales and of course donations in honor of the Napolillo family.

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;~~~~

A Wish Come True grants wishes and provides resources to families that have a child struggling with a life-threatening illness living in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Last year, they celebrated their 40th anniversary and granted 43 wishes to children and their families. This was a significant jump from granting 19 wishes in 2022. They already have 15 wish children waiting for their magical wish in 2024 and they are funded through the generosity of the community. 

Additional information May be found by contacting Mary-Kate O’Leary at Marykate@awishcometrue.org. Or, visit the website at www.awish.org to learn more about their work, upcoming e events and how to participate in the Gala.

Local Event: A Wish Come True "Wishes Take Flight" Gala

Woonsocket

Rhode Island

A Wish Come True "Wishes Take Flight" Gala

Saturday September 28, 2024: A Wish Come True’s Gala September 28th will honor Athletic Director at Providence College

Event to honor Steve and...

&nbsp;JOIN A WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S THIS FALL IN RHODE ISLAND 

Rhode Island, August 8, 2024 – The Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter is inviting families from all over the state to join the fight to end this disease by taking part in one of five Walk to End Alzheimer’s in 2024.

September 8th : Block Island, Fred Benson Beach

September 21st: Westerly, Misquamicut State Beach

September 22nd: Newport, Fort Adams State Park

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;September 28th: Northern Rhode Island, North Scituate Village

September 29th: Providence, Roger Williams State Park

Held nationally in more than 600 communities across the country, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. On Walk day, people honor those affected by Alzheimer’s and all other dementia with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity as we fight this disease.

“This is an exciting time in that we now have two FDA-approved treatments for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a great place to share experiences, resources and see that you are not alone in navigating this disease,” says Donna M. McGowan, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter.

&nbsp;The Walk to End Alzheimer’s takes place in 5 locations across Rhode Island this September. The Walks in Rhode Island hope to raise $800,000 in 2024.

More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease in the United States. There are more than 11 million family members and friends providing care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Rhode Island alone, there are more than 24,000 people living with the disease and 39,000 caregivers. 

Be a part of Generation Hope! Start a team, join a team or walk as an individual. Day-of registration for four of the walks is at 8:30 am. The Promise Garden ceremony begins at 10 am followed by the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Registration for the Block Island Walk is set for 11 am, with the ceremony starting at 12 pm. To register for any of the walks online and receive the latest updates, visit alz.org/ri/walk. 

Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s. 

Alzheimer's Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900. 

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Local Event: Alzheimer’s Association Walk

Alzheimer’s Association Walk

Saturday September 28, 2024: &nbsp;JOIN A WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S THIS FALL IN RHODE ISLAND 

Rhode Island, August 8, 2024 – The Alzheimer’s...

Dare to Dream Ranch Announces its 3rd Annual Yellow Ribbon Gala

Continuing its mission of helping veterans and their families feel better and achieve their goals and dreams, the Dare to Dream Ranch in Foster recently announced its 3rd Annual Yellow Ribbon Gala that takes place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick.

This event happens on Saturday, September 28th, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Come hear from clients on how your donations for our services and programs have helped them with their mental health. There will be Quilt of Valor Presentations, which honors veterans who have served, and hear from our Board President, Jon Shelburne, USMC (ret).

There will be a presentation of the 2023 Cory Zaranek Community Service Commitment to Excellence Award—given to the individual or individuals that have shown exemplary commitment to moving their mission forward through their dedicated volunteerism.
 

Founder Karen Dalton said the Ranch aids veterans and their families with emotional challenges like post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, military sexual trauma, mild traumatic brain injury, and stroke recovery. They offer various programs for its clients.

Dalton has been very fortunate with numerous donations and grants over the past several years to continue funding its mission. The increasing need to help more veterans currently exceeds what they would like to accomplish for helping out these groups, she said. 

“We are looking to expand our programs and offer more to support our veterans and their families. We rely on donations, grants and volunteers to make this happen,” she said. 

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 1.7 million veterans are dealing with some type of mental health issue or issues. That is one primary reason why events such as the Gala are important. Monies raised will go toward programs to help provide needed services to help those who served and their supportive families.

Those programs can also open the veterans up to express their feelings and experiences to others who better understand their struggle.

“Veterans tend to open up to other veterans because they have often witnessed the same or similar events as they have,” she said.

Dare to Dream Ranch, a non-profit military organization, now in its ninth year, offers alternative-therapy programs for service members veterans and their families with PTSD, anxiety, depression, military sexual trauma, mild traumatic brain injury and stroke recovery. They work with men, women and military children. Each year, they work with hundreds between all of their programs.

Behind the scenes, they assist with financial challenges, housing and food insecurity issues and more. There are many organizations that offer different programs, but when clients can’t get support, they reach for Dare to Dream Ranch for support. 

This year, they started breeding and raising Australian Shephard puppies as well. We are looking for donors to sponsor a puppy that will be trained as a service dog for mental health for veterans. 

In addition to attending The Gala, companies and individuals are encouraged to either sponsor, donate and/or volunteer.

Dalton is actively seeking donations of gift cards from local merchants, including restaurants, retail, service providers and in-kind services. They offer several sponsorship levels that include various benefits ranging from signage at the Ranch and social media mentions to complementary event tickets.

Tickets for this event as well as further details about Dare to Dream Ranch may be purchased by visiting the Eventbrite link on our website, www.daretodreamranch.org 

Additional information may be found by either visiting the Ranch’s website at www.daretodreamranch.org, or by contacting Ranch at 401-919-2059 or dare2dreamranchri@gmail.com.

Local Event: Dare to Dream Ranch Third Annual Yellow Ribbon Gala 

Dare to Dream Ranch Third Annual Yellow Ribbon...

Saturday September 28, 2024: Dare to Dream Ranch Announces its 3rd  Annual Yellow Ribbon Gala

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Dare to Dream Ranch Third Annual Yellow Ribbon Gala 

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Events and Things to Do in Woonsocket, RI

Saturday, September 28

Local Event

A Wish Come True "Wishes Take Flight" Gala

Local Event

Alzheimer’s Association Walk

Local Event

Dare to Dream Ranch Third Annual Yellow Ribbon Gala

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