East Bay Community Action Program honoring United Way of Rhode Island

United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) will be recognized by East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) with a 2024 Vision Award at its 19th Annual Seaside Gala on June 13, 2024, at the Wyndham Newport Hotel. UWRI is being honored for its annual day of giving event, “401Gives,” which has raised millions of dollars for local nonprofits across RI since 2020.

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. UWRI has not only supported EBCAP, but hundreds of other RI nonprofits over the years. In 2020, UWRI launched “401Gives,” a 24-hour online fundraising event for RI nonprofits. Through 401Gives, EBCAP’s Backpack Feeding Program has raised more than $75,000 in the last five years to provide food on weekends for hundreds of elementary school-aged children.

“United Way of Rhode Island has created something truly special with its 401Gives event. This groundbreaking approach both fuels vital funding for Rhode Island non-profits and magnifies their important influence within communities," said Maggie Laurianno, East Bay Community Action Program’s Director of Communications and Development.

The following community members will also be honored as EBCAP 2024 Vision Award recipients: Carol and David Bazarsky of Newport, RI, founders of the Bazarsky Family Foundation which provides ongoing support to EBCAP’s Baby Steps Program; Paula Bradley of Portsmouth, RI, for more than 30 years of service to EBCAP’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program’s Advisory Council; and Hope & Main, a Warren, RI business that has provided more than 1,300 prepared meals to EBCAP’s 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.

-End-