Scholarship Foundation Phone-A-Thon Tops $125,000

In 1995, a small group of Scholarship Foundation of East Providence volunteers and local high school students initiated a new project to raise funds for scholarships. Gathering at a local business, EFD, over the course of three nights they made calls to East Providence residents and raised just over $13,000. Thirty years later, in a phone-from-home event, the amount raised in this year’s annual phone-a-thon was more than $125,000. Since its inception, more than $2.5 million has been raised for scholarships for East Providence students through the annual phone-a-thon.

“We are so grateful to residents of East Providence and to Townies across the country who have made this year’s event such a success,” notes Scholarship Foundation of East Providence president Joseph Durand. “Phone-a-thon contributions have helped thousands of local students continue their education beyond high school,” he added.

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.

Fourteen new scholarships were established through the phone-a-thon this year, including the Alice Perry Martin Memorial, Antonio C. Ferreira Memorial, Antonio Teixeira, Bally’s Twin River Lincoln, Bonnie Lynn Baker Oliver Memorial, Catherine Oliver Memorial, Charles K. Dwyer, East Prov. High School Class of 1964 Vincent Spremulli Memorial, Frank Robert Bellamy Memorial, Joanne C. Kennedy Memorial, Kesner Family Scholarship in Memory of Jean Kesner, Loomis Family in Memory of Barbara Gibb, Millie Morris Memorial, Raymond E. Anderson Family and the Women in Science Scholarship. New book awards included: East Prov. High School Class of 1963, East Prov. High School Class of 1964 Cheryl Cooke Lawrence Memorial, East Prov. High School Class of 1964 Carole Cullen Memorial and Podiatry Specialists of Rhode Island Book Award.

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

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, more than $7,000 was raised by faculty, staff and parents at East Providence schools through the phone-a-thon this year.

Ten past classes of East Providence High School contributed to increase the amount they award. Alumni from East Providence High School Classes of 1949, 1950, 1955, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1974 and 1985 collectively raised more than $19,000 in scholarships.

The Scholarship Foundation acknowledged the continuing support of Nordson EFD. The company provided postage and mailing services for this year’s phone-a-thon.