To the Editor:
The 2008 Narragansett Bay Workcamp was a tremendous success due to the dedicated energy and support of many volunteers, local businesses, congregations, and social and civic organizations. Fifty-five free home repairs projects were completed for elderly, disabled, and low income Rhode Island families as a result of these collective efforts.
A big thank you is extended to St. Bernard’s Parish [in North Kingstown] who invited the Group Workcamp Foundation to Rhode Island this summer and whose volunteers saw the process through every step on the executive crew and sub-crews, as well as to our Workcamp co-sponsors: Rhode Island Housing and Citizens Bank Foundation through South County Habitat for Humanity.
Thank you to our Group Workcamp Foundation partners who provided the campers, support staff and expertise from start to finish and to the wonderful workcampers who traveled from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Prince Edward Island, Canada, to lend their hands and share in the experience.
Special thanks to our sponsors: AFS (Advanced Financial Services Inc.), Centreville Bank, Nortek, Coastway, Gilbane, Hampton Inn, Employees’ Community Services Association of General Dynamics Electric Boat (Quonset Point Facility), Wickford Lumber and Hardware, Multi-State Restoration, Inc. Thanks to our additional cash sponsors: AAA, Bank RI, DiNardo Landscaping, Feinstein Foundation, Home Instead Senior Care of RI, National Refrigeration, Prudential Gammons Realty, LLC, and Wal-Mart Foundation.
Likewise, thank you to our in-kind sponsors: Allie’s Donuts, Avon Representative – Linda Martin, Belmont Market and employees, Bradford Soap, Brickley’s Ice Cream, Camire’s Shoes, Caster’s Bicycles & Fitness, Champlin’s Seafood, and Coca-Cola. Also, CVS, Channel 10, Dunkin Donuts, Gardner’s Wharf Seafood, Gregg’s Restaurant, Dave’s Marketplace, Eastland Foods, Encore Promotions, Frito-Lay, George Weston Bakeries, The Inside Scoop and Jack’s Ice Cream. Plus: Kent Hospital, Johnson & Wales University, Narragansett Bikes, Necco, New England Institute of Technology, Northeast Beverage, Ocean State Job Lot, Rite Aid, Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, Sam’s Club, Sign*A*Rama, Stop & Shop, South County Tourism Association, Taylor Rental-NK, Warwick Ice Cream and Whole Foods Market.
We could not have done it without the support from our neighboring community parishes and volunteers from: Christ the King, Christian Hill Community Church, Exeter Chapel, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, North Kingstown Town and School Departments, Sign of Life, St. Francis de Sales, St. Mark’s Church, and St. Mary Star of the Sea. And our thanks also go to the Warwick, West Warwick and North Kingstown Senior Centers; West Bay and South County Community Action Centers; and St. Francis Council Knights of Columbus.
A final thanks to our individual volunteers who “Loved Out Loud” by baking, setting-up, picking-up, delivering, counting, visiting, writing, planning, directing, coaching, crafting, decorating, donating, collecting, leading, tracking, inspiring, mapping, cleaning-up, surveying, inspecting, estimating and assisting including the kitchen and custodial staff at Davisville Middle School and all those who prayed for good weather so the work could be done within the short time we had! Our prayers were answered and many needy people were helped…thank you.
Dawn Masterson, Co-Chairperson
On behalf of the Executive Crew of Narragansett Bay Workcamp 2008
