Pawtucket Foundation’s Annual Meeting Highlights 2017

Pawtucket Foundation’s Annual Meeting Highlights
and Date Set for April 25th Awards
Celebration  

 

The Pawtucket Foundation held its 17th Annual Meeting and revealed the Foundation’s 2018 honorees at The Guild, 461 Main St, Pawtucket, RI.  The event celebrated what Executive Director Jan Brodie called a "year of cautious optimism and renewed energy and spirit in the cities’ future.” She added, “This is a critical time to not lose the momentum we have built in the past year”.

Incorporated in a lively networking reception, the meeting got underway with co-chairman of the
Pawtucket Foundation, Kevin Tracy, welcoming a crowd of business and community members including Pawtucket mayor Donald Grebien and Central Falls Mayor James Diossa.  Grebien offered opening remarks expressing the value of the City of Pawtucket's collaboration with the Pawtucket Foundation in driving economic development in the City.

Each year, The Pawtucket Foundation recognizes organizations and individuals for their efforts and
commitment as key members of the Pawtucket community.  Three specific awards are handed out
including the Heritage Award, which recognizes an outstanding long-term commitment to the City of
Pawtucket and its residents, the Special Distinction Award, which honors outstanding contributions in a particular aspect of the community, and the Person of the Year award, that recognizes an individual who significantly contributed to enhancing the quality of economic and community life in Pawtucket.

The Awards Celebration will be held on Wednesday, April 25th, 2018 at the Pawtucket Armory Arts
Center, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket. Kevin Tracy, Dan Sullivan, Jr and newly appointed Secretary, Linda Dewing announced this year’s honorees.  Receiving the Heritage Award will be Dupuis Energy, a Pawtucket business since 1898.  “Dupuis Energy,” said Tracy, “celebrating their 150 th year of bringing warmth and energy to Rhode Island, they are committed to providing excellent service and being an active part of the community.

Designers and producers of living art performances based on historical and mythological beings, TEN31, will be presented the Special Distinction Award.  “TEN31,” added Dewing, “is a company truly committed to bringing art to life in downtown Pawtucket, we wanted to recognize them for their
commitment, leadership and inspiration to the Armory Arts District and Pawtucket.”  Finally, the Person of the Year award will go to Jeremy Duffy and Devin Kelly of The Guild for their commitment to revitalization, creating jobs and being good community partners.

Also covered at the meeting were changes to the Foundation's Board including renewing 3-year terms for Kathleen Bartels, Eric DaRosa, Patti DiCenso, Michael Gazdacko, Mark House and Dolph Johnson, filling a 1-yr Term with Charles Clifford and Ethan Sluter and adding new Board Members Jim Alden and Nick Steffey to 3-year terms.  Slate of Officers: Co-Chairs, Daniel Sullivan and Kevin Tracy; Co -Vice- chairs, Mark House and Michele Roberts; Secretary, Linda Dewing; Treasurer, Dave Fontaine. Moving to the Foundation’s Advisory Committee are John Gregory, Morris Nathanson and Albert Pereira.


Sponsorships for the Awards Celebration are available by contacting Christine Sullivan at
csullivan@pawtucketfoundation.org or 401-725- 4400. Raffle tickets to win either a Collette Shades of Ireland or Iceland's Magical Northern Lights tour are priced at $50 per ticket, and winner need not be present at Awards Celebration to win.

For more information about The Pawtucket Foundation call (401) 725-4400, email
info@pawtucketfoundation.org or visit online at www.pawtucketfoundation.org.
For more photos, see Pawtucket Foundation Facebook & Instagram pages.