🌱Patriots Kraft Donates $40k To RI Charities + PVDFest Is On

Hello, neighbors! Karena Garrity here with your Thursday edition of the Providence Daily.

First, today's weather:

Breezy with periods of rain. High: 48 Low: 45.

Here are the top five stories in Providence today:

1. Taking it full circle, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft donated $20,000 to Man Up, Inc. and another $20,000 to Youth in Action. Both organizations are Rhode Island based charities. Kraft joined Gov. Dan McKee in a news conference Tuesday to present the checks. McKee said the funds were made possible by the Rhode Island charity license plate program, which has allowed Patriots fans in Rhode Island to show off their team support with Patriot-themed license plates. (Providence Patch)
2. Making a political splash, Ashley Kalus, a businessperson who has never before sought political office, announced Tuesday that she is seeking the Republican nomination for governor of the Ocean State. She reportedly moved to Newport last May from Illinois. She has listed her priorities as education, strengthening the economy, creating jobs, affordability, health care, the opioid crisis, infrastructure, affordable housing and taking care of the state's most vulnerable residents. (U.S. News & World Report)
3. Celebrating the creative community of Providence, PVDFest is on and in-person this year. Organizers say this year's event will be special after being held virtually for the past two years. Mark your calendars; the event is scheduled for June 10-12. (Turn to 10)
4. Brown University's Amy Nunn, professor of behavioral and social sciences and medicine, and Philip Chan, associate professor of medicine and behavioral and social sciences, co-founded Open Door Health in southwest Providence in March 2020. It is Rhode Island's first LGBTQ-focused health clinic and it is celebrating its two-year anniversary. (The Brown Daily Herald)
5. Early Wednesday morning, a gunshot was fired into Rhode Island Hospital’s neuro-stroke facility on the seventh floor. There were no reports of injuries. Providence police are investigating the incident. (GoLocalProv)

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Today in Providence:

• Story Time with Ms. Toni - Providence Community Library (10:30 AM)
• Cradle to Crayons: Group Two - (Baby - Age 3) (11:00 AM)
• PVD Young Makers Grab & Go - Providence Community Library (2:00 PM)
• PVD Young Makers: Open Studio - Providence Community Library (3:00 PM)
• Arts & Crafts - Providence Community Library (3:00 PM)
• Kids Science Lab! (Grades K+) - Providence Community Library (4:00 PM)
• Math in the House! - Providence Community Library (4:00 PM)
• Make-It and Take-It Crafternoons! - Providence Community Library (4:00 PM)
• Spanish & English Homework Help! - Providence Community Library (4:00 PM)
• Learn ITALIAN: intermediate 1 - Providence Community Library (5:00 PM)
• Why Poetry? Writing Workshop Series - Providence Community Library (6:00 PM)
• Parent University: Where and how to seek help with Rent Relief and food insecurity programs (6:00 PM)
• Chess Club - Providence Community Library (6:30 PM)
• Queer Umbrella - Providence Community Library (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Rhode Island State Police: "We recently began the 2022 Recruit Training Class at the State Police Training Academy in Foster. We look forward to welcoming these new Troopers to our ranks this summer." (Instagram)
• Providence College: "Congratulations to the 2022 recipients of the MLK Vision Awards.(Instagram)
• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: "Building bridges both figuratively and literally! Shoutout to the Rhode Island New England Mountain Bike Association (RI NEMBA) for their stewardship and partnership with DEM!" (Facebook)
• Providence Performing Arts Center: "Oh what a beautiful mornin'/ Oh what a beautiful day." What a beautiful day indeed because OKLAHOMA! has opened at PPAC! Performances run until Sunday, March 27." (Facebook)
• Providence Animal Rescue League: "The next drawing for our Monthly Donor March Madness is this Friday, March 25! We invite you to #GetInTheGame and help us reach our goal of adding 22 new monthly donors to our Monthly Donor Club!" (Facebook)
• Crossroads Rhode Island: "We’re so excited to be a part of 401Gives! You can support individuals and families experiencing homelessness by visiting 401Gives.org and donating to Crossroads Rhode Island on April 1." (Facebook)
• Providence Children's Museum: "Curious about WaterFire Providence? Come join us on April 2 to learn more!" (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a URI graduate and I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my small town community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.