East Bay Community Action Program honoring Portsmouth resident

East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) will honor Portsmouth resident, Paula Bradley, with a 2024 Vision Award at its 19th Annual Seaside Gala on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the Wyndham Newport Hotel. Bradley is being recognized for having served on the Advisory Council to the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for more than 30 years.

EBCAP’s Vision Awards are presented to individuals and organizations that have made a profound impact on the agency, the lives of its clients, and the surrounding community. As a young woman, Bradley initially worked for EBCAP’s RSVP. She then later joined the RSVP Advisory Council. Bradley has also served as a member of EBCAP’s Board of Directors. For almost 30 years, Bradley has been the Senior Field Representative for U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s office. In this role she helps Rhode Islanders in accessing federal and state programs geared toward seniors.

“Paula makes things happen for people," said Kim Wetherald, East Bay Community Action Program’s Director of Volunteer Services. “If we have a client, volunteer, or person that just can’t get through the red tape, we refer them to Paula. By working with Senator Whitehouse’s office, she acts and finds a solution. She is an advocate for the older adult population and a voice for many.”

The following community members will also be honored as EBCAP 2024 Vision Award recipients: United Way of Rhode Island of Providence, RI, for its annual 401Gives event that has helped EBCAP raise over $75,000 for its Backpack Feeding Program; Carol and David Bazarsky of Newport, RI, founders of the Bazarsky Family Foundation which provides ongoing support to EBCAP’s Baby Steps Program; Hope & Main, a Warren, RI business that has provided more than 1,300 prepared meals to our Head Start and East Bay Recovery Center families since 2021.

Additionally, Marvin L. Abney, Rhode Island State Representative and Chair of the House Committee on Finance, will receive EBCAP’s 2024 Public Service Award for his advocacy on the housing crisis, supporting business development, and equitable funding for education. In addition, he has been a key supporter of EBCAP's early childhood education programs.

The Premier Sponsor for EBCAP’s 19th Annual Seaside Gala is Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. Tickets for the gala are on sale now on EBCAP’s website, www.ebcap.org. For more information contact Maggie Laurianno, Director of Communications and Development, at 401.847.7821 ext. 1539.

The fundraising portion of EBCAP’s 19th Annual Seaside Gala will feature an online auction, offering a variety of dining, hotel stays, travel, family fun, sports tickets, and more. Auction items are available for preview now at biddingforgood.com/EBCAP. The top auction prize is a 7-day Holland America Line Cruise for two people to either Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Canada/New England. The auction opens on May 30 and closes on June 13. All are welcome to register and bid.

East Bay Community Action Program is a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation that provides a wide array of health and human services to the residents of Rhode Island’s East Bay, including the municipalities of East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Little Compton, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport, and Jamestown.

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