5 Things You Need To Know Today: Feb. 14

There's more to February 14 than just Valentine's Day. Here are five things you should know today.

Autumnfest Steering Committee announced

The new elected officers for the 2011 Autumnfest celebration are as follows: Chairman: Tim Paul, Vice Chair: Rachel Arruda, Secretary: Donna Desrochers, Treasurer: Tony Orlando.  To learn more about this year's Autumnfest, visit www.autumnfest.org.

FRCA thanks volunteers

Family Resources Community Action recently hosted two volunteer recognition breakfasts  to honor the nearly 70 community and 50 staff volunteers who donated more than 1700 hours of their time to support various holiday programs sponsored by the agency including the Northern RI Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, Adopt a Family, Holiday Baskets and the Children’s Holiday Hope Fund.

During the 2010 Holiday Program Season FRCA completed more than 1100 Adopt a Family Applications, coordinated the donation of more than 625 food baskets, provided gifts for 80 children through various giving trees, distributed more than 1900 toys as well as hat/mitten sets and collected more than 22,000 dollars through our Salvation Army Kettle campaign to support local families and individuals in need.

Special recognition was given to community volunteers William Decesare, Bob Gelinas  and Gail Ballou for their extraordinary efforts in support of the Kettle Campaign as well as to Cindy Roy for her dedication to support numerous holiday programs. Staff member Emidio Rosa was recognized for his time, commitment and effort to ensure a successful Kettle Campaign and Deb Grasso, FRCA Holiday Programs Coordinator was thanked for her leadership in coordinating another successful holiday program season.

For more information on how you can get involved to support the programs and services offered by Family Resources Community Action please contact Elena Marchand at 401-235-6083 or email emarchand@famresri.org. Information about FRCA is also available at www.famresri.org

Enroll for YWCA Spring Session

Classes for Spring Session at YWCA Northern Rhode Island begin Feb. 20. Classes are held for six weeks and include Aerobic Dance, Bellydancing, Vinyasa Yoga and Zumba. The center also offers many children's programs includng childcare, preschool, art, physical activities, and gymnastics. For adults, they offer volleyball leagues, women’s clubs, women's workout room, and wellness programs.To register, visit 514 Blackstone Street or to view the complete brochure online, visit www.ywcanri.org.

Joe Andruzzi to chair Pints for Life walk

The Rhode Island Blood Center’s inaugural walk, Pints For Life, will be held June 12 in downtown Providence, raising awareness of the specific challenges of blood collection during the summer. Many walkers will pledge to donate blood during the summer as they join co-workers, friends and family in a family-friendly walk from the Providence Donor Center to the Rhode Island State House. There will be two walk routes, a 1K and 3K,  to accommodate various levels of walkers and all will culminate in a celebration on the State House lawn.     

Former New England Patriot lineman Joe Andruzzi is the honary chair this year. Andruzzi had his NFL career cut short when he was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma and required several blood units during his treatment. He has since been a strong advocate for blood donation. 

For more information how individuals or organizations may enter the walk, or otherwise contribute, visit the Pints for Life Walk web site at www.ribc.org/pintsforlifewalk for Life or call 1-800-283-8385.

Spread the love

Don't forget the flowers today! Browse our directory for a list of local florists and check out our list of city restaurants for some last minute dinner plans . Happy Valentine's Day!