As part of Nonprofit Appreciation Month, the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact at United Way of RI will present its first-ever “RI HOPE” Awards to local nonprofits and volunteers. Each was nominated by a General Assembly member in recognition of their efforts to help others and strengthen their community within that legislator’s district.

Rhode Island nonprofits are the anchors of our communities, and their work touches the daily lives of nearly everyone who calls the Ocean State home. The dedicated volunteers who support them are just as essential, reflecting the spirit of service and the promise of HOPE that define our state.

2025 RI HOPE Awardees – Community-Based Organizations

Honored at 2:00pm Awards Ceremony:

• Hope Nursing Foundation, Cranston – nominated by Representative Brandon Potter
• RI Dream Center, Cranston – nominated by Senator Lammis Vargas
• Bob Houghtaling Foundation, East Greenwich – nominated by Representative Justine Caldwell
• East Providence in Community, East Providence – nominated by Representative Jennifer Boylan
• North Kingstown Food Pantry, North Kingstown – nominated by Representative Julie Casimiro and Senator Bridget Valverde
• Pet Refuge -- North Kingstown Exeter Animal Protection League, North Kingstown – nominated by Representative Robert Craven
• All Star Athletes, Pawtucket – nominated by Representative Karen Alzate
• Books Are Wings, Pawtucket – nominated by Representative Jennifer Stewart
• Electromagnetic Pinball Museum, Pawtucket – nominated by Representative Jennifer Stewart
• The Empowerment Factory, Pawtucket – nominated by Senator Meghan Kallman
• George Wiley Center, Pawtucket – nominated by Senator Lori Urso
• The DaVinci Community Center for Community Progress, Providence – nominated by Senator Jacob Bisaillon
• Hope & Main, Warren – nominated by Representative June Speakman
• The Heart Tree, Warwick – nominated by Senator Peter Appollonio
• West Warwick Senior Center, West Warwick – nominated by Representative Thomas Noret

Honored at 3:30pm Awards Ceremony:

• Tap-In, Barrington – nominated by Representative Jason Knight
• Barrington Farm School, Barrington – nominated by Senator Pamela Lauria
• Benjamin Church Senior Center, Bristol – nominated by Senator Linda Ujifusa
• Bristol Rotary Club, Bristol – nominated by Representative Susan Donovan
• East Providence Historical Society, East Providence – nominated by Senator Robert Britto
• Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need, Charlestown – nominated by Representative Tina Spears
• Tockwotton on the Waterfront, East Providence – nominated by Representative   Jenni Furtado
• Hopkinton Historical Society, Hopkinton – nominated by Senator Elaine Morgan
• Narragansett Senior Association, Narragansett – nominated by Senator Alana Dimario
• Aquidneck Food Pantry, Portsmouth – nominated by Representative Michelle McGaw
• Better Lives Rhode Island, Providence – nominated by Senator Tiara Mack
• Heroes Read, Providence – nominated by Representative David Morales
• Mt. Hope Learning Center, Providence – nominated by Representative Rebecca Kislak
• Olneyville Neighborhood Association, Providence – nominated by Representative Enrique Sanchez
• Thrive Behavioral Health, Warwick -- nominated by Representative David Bennett
• Housing Network of Rhode Island, Warwick – nominated by Speaker Joseph Shekarchi
• Smithfield YMCA, Smithfield – nominated by Senator David Tikoian
• Wood River Health, Hope Valley/Westerly – nominated by Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy

2025 RI HOPE Awardees – Volunteers

Honored at 2:00pm Ceremony:

• Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, Warren Holiday Festival and various community locations – nominated by Representative June Speakman
• Joanne Bonollo, Pawtucket Backpackers, Pawtucket – nominated by Senator Urso
• Leslie Derrig, Conimicut Village Association, Warwick – nominated by Representative Marie Hopkins
• Robin Dionne, Amenity Aid, Cranston – nominated by Representative Brandon Potter
• Maya Lima, Transformative Action for North Kingstown, North Kingstown – nominated by Senator Bridget Valverde
• Matthew McCoy, ESGR, VFW, Mom’s Demand Action, Dorcas International Institute -- nominated by Representative Julie Casimiro
• Ocean State Counseling and Wellness Center and Michelle McGuire, Johnston – nominated by Representative Deborah Fellela
• Ana Rivas, Community Angels Toy Drive/Los Angeles de la Comunidad, Cranston – nominated by Senator Lammis Vargas
• William Rogers, St. Anthony’s Hope Soup Kitchen, West Warwick – nominated by Representative Thomas Noret
• Florette Ruggiero, DaVinci Center for Community Progress and Friends of Providence Animal Care and Control Center, Providence – nominated by Senator Jacob Bissaillon
• Frank Santoro, Barrington Troop 2 Boy Scouts, Barrington – nominated by Representative Jennifer Boylan
• Angelique Stiglic, East Greenwich Soccer Association, East Greenwich – nominated by Representative Justine Caldwell
• Linda Stevens, Pet Refuge -- North Kingstown/Exeter Animal Protection League, North Kingstown – nominated by Representative Robert Craven
• Michele Varrecchia, Lippitt Elementary School PTO, Warwick – nominated by Peter Appollonio
• H. Philip West, The Village Common of Rhode Island, Providence – nominated by Representative Jennifer Stewart

Honored at 3:30pm Ceremony:

• Lorraine Arruda, Hopkinton Historical Society, Hopkinton – nominated by Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy
• Carol Ciotola, Smithfield YMCA Food Pantry, Smithfield – nominated by Senator David Tikoian
• Mary Jo Fidalgo-Tavares, Bristol Rotary Club, Bristol – nominated by Representative Susan Donovan
• Thomas Hoagland, Friends of Canonchet Farm, Narragansett – nominated by Senator Alana DiMario
• Melina Lodge, Housing Network of Rhode Island, Warwick – nominated by Speaker Joseph Shekarchi
• Yuselly Mendoza, multiple organizations, Providence – nominated by Representative Enrique Sanchez
• Nancy Moore, East Providence Historical Society, East Providence – nominated by Senator Robert Britto
• Tony Morettini, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Bristol – nominated by Senator Pamela Lauria
• Kristin Read, Bristol Warren Health Equity Zone – nominated by Representative Jason Knight
• Gloria Schmidt, Battle of RI Association, Portsmouth – nominated by Senator Linda Ujifusa
• William Skaggs, Exeter Food Pantry, The Compass School, Future Farmers of America, Eagle Scout, Exeter – nominated by Senator Elaine Morgan
• Yvonne Marie Smart, Cape Verdean Museum, Pawtucket – nominated by Representative Jenni Furtado
• Doug Victor, Elmwood and South Providence Neighborhoods Crime Watch and Peace and Plenty Community Garden, Providence – nominated by Senator Tiara Mack
• Sharon Waldman, Summit Neighborhood Association and Your Neighborhood Food Pantry, Providence -- nominated by Representative Rebecca Kislak
• Conley Zani, Common Fence Point, Portsmouth – nominated by Representative Michelle McGaw

For more information, please contact Nancy Wolanski at nancy.wolanski@unitedwayri.org.