Good things happen when a community comes together. This year, East Providence residents joined together in support of higher education for local students. Making phone calls from their homes, volunteers raised nearly $130,000 for scholarships. Since its inception in 1995, more than $2.8 million has been raised for scholarships for East Providence students through the annual phone-a-thon. This has helped thousands of local students continue their education beyond high school.

“With reductions in support at the federal level this year, students who will be entering college or career school or continuing their education next year will face increasing financial challenges,” noted President of Scholarship Foundation of East Providence Joseph Durand. “We thank all in our city, as well as alumni and Townies from across the country, who helped to make this year’s phone-a-thon a success,” he added. All funds raised at the phone-a-thon will be awarded as scholarships this year.

Students from East Providence High School, as well as college students who were past scholarship recipients and their families participated in the fundraising event. Representatives of community groups, East Providence High School reunion committees and board members of Scholarship Foundation of East Providence joined in contacting thousands of East Providence residents.

New scholarships were established through the phone-a-thon this year, including the Changing the Game, Dorothy Foster Pfeiffer Memorial, East Providence High School Class of 1964 Daniel Spaight Memorial, Lisa Medeiros Memorial and Team No Filter Scholarships.

East Providence schools participated in Dress Down Days and made their contributions during the phone-a-thon. Added to additional contributions from school parent teacher groups, administration, faculty and staff, $7,300 was raised at East Providence schools through the phone-a-thon this year.

Eight past classes of East Providence High School contributed to increase the amount they award. Alumni from East Providence High School Classes of 1950, 1955, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1973 and1974, collectively raised more than $18,000 in scholarships. 

Phone-a-thon Chair Louise Paiva recognized the Carter Fund at The Rhode Island Foundation which has supported the phone-a-thon for more than three decades. This year, they matched the first $45,000 in contributions received. 

The Scholarship Foundation also acknowledged the continued support of Nordson EFD. The East Providence company helped to provide postage and mailing services for this year’s phone-a-thon.

Students in East Providence have much to be thankful for. In August, with the help of local residents and businesses, Scholarship Foundation of East Providence administered scholarships totaling nearly $313,000 to East Providence students. Each student received a minimum of $2,000. Scholarships were awarded to 79 East Providence students graduating from public, private, and parochial high schools and 78 scholarships to students who are already enrolled in college, career or technical school. The scholarships were administered on behalf of businesses, civic organizations, schools, reunion committees, PTAs, past recipients, families and individuals in our city, as well as from former Townies across the country. Using a standardized application process, SF of East Providence evaluates candidates anonymously and administers scholarships based on merit and financial need.

“We are happy to be able to increase the amount of our scholarship packages this year,” notes Joseph Durand, president of the scholarship group. Looking back, when the volunteer organization made their first awards in 1969, a total of $1,750 was shared among five recipients. This year, 157 students each received more than the group’s first year total scholarships. “We are grateful to our community for recognizing the need for financial support for higher education for local students, and for their continued generosity,” Durand added. Scholarship Foundation of East Providence has administered more than $5.4 million to more than 5,000 East Providence students.

Mr. Durand recognized 16 new scholarships that were awarded this year, including Alice Perry Martin Memorial, Antonio C. Ferreira Memorial, Antonio Teixeira, Bally’s Twin River Lincoln, Catherine Oliver Memorial, Charles K. Dwyer, EPHS Class of 1963, EPHS Class of 1964 Vincent Spremulli Memorial, Eugene and Christine Johnson, Frank Robert Bellamy Memorial, Joanne C. Kennedy Memorial, Kesner Family Scholarship in Memory of Jean Kesner, Loomis Family Scholarship in memory of Barbara Gibb, Mildred S. Morris Memorial, Raymond Anderson Family and Women in Science Scholarship, New book awards included: EPHS Class of 1964 in memory of Carole Cullen and EPHS Class of 1964 in memory of Cheryl Cooke Lawrence.

President Joe Durand welcomes local residents to join the volunteer organization as a member. Members assist with scholarship application review and distribution, planning annual fundraisers, and maintaining accurate records. To learn more about helping Scholarship Foundation of East Providence, visit www.sfofepri.org or contact pres.sfofep@gmail.com.