LETTER: Spirit of Giving Alive in Tough Times

To the editor,

Narragansett is known for its beaches and ocean views, but over the past Thanksgiving and winter holidays it has shown its generous heart. 

So very many people worked and contributed to the Thanksgiving Food Drive and the Holiday Food and Gift Drive, sponsored through Narragansett Housing and the Narragansett School District. We were able to provide food baskets for more than 100 families and gifts to more than 200 children.

It all started in October, securing donations from the community by way of food drives in the schools, and those amazing Boy Scouts who !

The generosity was like a wave rolling through town, with the coordinated efforts of the Sprague Fund, the Narragansett Lions Club, Narragansett teachers and staff members, St. Mary’s Star of The Sea Church, Arturo Joe’s and the Narragansett Housing Authority all offering to buy gifts for our students through sign-ups. The Gingerbread Kids also posted Giving Trees to allow members of our community to join in the Holiday Spirit. 

Then it came time to start organizing and putting the holiday baskets together with lots of help from Paula Pelland, Desiree Dugan Photography, the Narragansett Police Department, Fit Moms R.I. and town employees.  Donations were received from the Lions, Belmont Market, Cumberland Farms, Champlin’s, Crosswynd Traders, Narragansett High School Honor Society students, the Narragansett High School Student Council, the high school’s Tech Ed students, VFW, Stop & Shop and community donations through the Festival of Lights Celebration and the Narragansett Senior Citizens. 

The combined efforts of all these people and more ensured that our children in need awoke Christmas morning to presents under the tree and meals on their tables. So thank you to all who helped bring the holidays home to the needy in Narragansett. This community should be proud of its citizens. “God Bless you, everyone.”

Sincerely,

Peg Fair, Judy Frank, Gail Hovanesian and Christine Lennon