A Heartfelt Thank You from Efforts For Ernie Committee

The Efforts For Ernie Chartier Committee would like to express their gratitude to the community of Narragansett and beyond for the amazingly generous outpouring of support and donations received from so many on March 6 at the pasta fundraiser at Amalfi's. 

March 6 happened to be a very special day both in our community and in the Chartier family – it was Ernie's birthday! There was hardly a dry eye in the house when Emily Chartier called her husband live from the event and the entire crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to him over speakerphone! 

Once again, the caring community of Narragansett rose to the occasion to help one of their own and succeeded in raising more than $20,000 (and counting!) to help this beautiful family rebound and rebuild from Ernie's tragic car accident that left him paralyzed this past December! 

If there was ever any doubt that the spirit of goodwill is alive and well in this world, rest assured it is! Last month a family from Connecticut was visiting the Narragansett Elementary School and overheard the staff talking about the Chartier family and their situation.

A few days later, this family sent the Fundraising Committee a letter saying how incredibly touched they were by the Chartiers’ heartbreaking story, but  also how impressed they were in feeling the strong sense of community spirit that was radiating amongst so many to help the family. 

"This is a community any family would be blessed to be a part of," the letter concluded… Along with a donation of $5,000!   

Congratulations to a community that is not only generous in donations but in abundant kindness and spirit as well.  

The following letter was submitted to Patch.

Dear Friends, 

On behalf of the Chartier Family, we wish to extend our sincere thanks for the incredible outpouring of community support for the recent Efforts for Ernie Pasta Dinner.

More than 400 people attended the March 6 event and we were able to raise more than $20,000 for Ernie and Emily to use toward the purchase of a vehicle, and to do some home modifications. The spirit of community and generosity that was so evident on that day reminds all of us of the truly special nature of the Narragansett community. 

We would like to acknowledge our sponsors and those who so generously supported our efforts. Special thanks go to all the Narragansett school families, superintendent of schools Katherine Sipala, the principals and staff of each school, the PTOs of NES, NPMS and NHS, The Lions Club, The Sweeney Family, Belmont Market, Tase–Rite, Jim LeDonne of Amalfi Fine Catering and The Village Inn, Uli Gallman, Steve Pezza, John Cone of Coca Cola, Narragansett Patch, The South County Independent, and the numerous individuals who contributed to our silent auction items. 

Also a very special thank you to all of the ladies who joined us at the elementary school to help assemble the raffle baskets and those who came early to help set up on the day of the event. Your generous contribution of good will, good humor, and time is deeply appreciated. 

Ernie is scheduled to return home within the next month and because of all the community love, Ernie, Emily and Ethan will have an easier transition as they face the new challenges that await them. We will keep everyone posted about how we can support them once they get settled. 

There are no words to adequately describe the gratitude our committee feels and we thank everyone that has supported our Efforts for Ernie from the bottom of our hearts!! 

The Efforts for Ernie Committee

The Committee Would Like to Thank The Following Businesses and People:

 Jim LeDonne of Amalfi Fine Catering

 The Village Inn

 Wes Lessard of Tase- Rite

 Belmont Market Place

 Narragansett Lions Club

 Katherine Sipala and Administrators

 Narragansett High School

 Narragansett Pier School

 Narragansett Elementary School

 Narragansett Schools PTO

 John Cone of Coca Cola Company

 Newport Blues Café & Newport Inns

 Marybeth Shepherd

 Blessed Beginnings

 Andrea Tomlinson

 Riverdance

 Newport Vineyards

 Karen and Jay Swoboda

 Patty Boynton

 Vanessa Miller and Guy Schaeffer

 Uli Gallman

 Mark Lapham

 B&M Catering

 Liberty Rental

 West Bay Gourmet

 The Newsholme Family

 Newport National Golf Course

 Todd and Karla Flaherty

 Barbara Thompson

 American Mussel Harvesters

 Pancho O’Malley’s

 Charlie O’s

 Arturo Joe’s

 Spain of Narragansett

 Newport Restaurant Group

 Catarina’s Italian Village

 Coast Guard House

 Block Island Ferry

 Lennon Schroeder

 Kyle Wilson

 Steve Pezza

 Steve Pinch

 Elliot

 108 Salon

 Betsy Wiggins

 Durkin Family

 Cathryn Jamieson Salon