Scholarship Foundation of East Prov. Phone-a-thon Tops $136,000

East Providence students have many reasons to be grateful. This year, individuals, families, groups and businesses from throughout the city joined together to support higher education for city residents. In February, volunteers of all ages made phone calls from their homes to raise funds during Scholarship Foundation of East Providence’s annual phone-a-thon. They received more than $136,000 for this year’s scholarships. Since the phone-a-thon was initiated in 1995, the volunteer scholarship group has raised more than $2.9 million to help local students continue their education beyond high school.

“Financial assistance for higher education is important in this uncertain economy,” notes Joseph Durand, President of Scholarship Foundation of East Providence, Inc. “We thank everyone in our community, as well as Townies from throughout the country, who supported this year’s phone-a-thon,” he added. All funds raised through the phone-a-thon will be awarded as scholarships this year.

Phone-a-thon volunteers included students from East Providence High School, as well as students currently in college who were past recipients and their families. 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 Antonio Santos and Maria Santos-Gonsalves Memorial, Isabelle Marot Memorial, East Providence High School Class of 1969 Jeffrey Buckett Memorial, John and Gabrielle Dovale and Patricia Anthony Memorial Scholarship. In addition, a new book award will be given in memory of Karen L. Prevatt.

East Providence schools participated in Dress Down Days and made their contributions during the phone-a-thon. Added to contributions from school parent teacher groups, administration, faculty and staff, nearly $5,000 was raised at East Providence schools through the phone-a-thon this year.

Nine past classes of East Providence High School contributed to increase the amount they award. Alumni from East Providence High School Classes of 1955, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1973, 1974,1978 and 1985 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 $50,000 in contributions received.