From left to right, East Providence Police Sgt. Sandra Bonvehi, K-9 Nick, Clerk Alyssa Cadoret, Clerk Susan Lusignan, SRO Shaileen DeOliveira, Clerk Lee Taylor, Clerk Lauri Warzycha, Clerk Kimberly Nelson, Administrative Assistant Karen Bernardino, Maria Gemma Corcelli (Gloria Gemma Foundation), Dispatcher Fran Newman, Chief Michael Rapoza, Maj. Andy Benoit, and Capt. Maari Stainer Beltrami, all gathered to present the funds raised by the East Providence Police Department’s Breast Cancer Awareness Patch fundraiser. (Photo Courtesy East Providence Police Department)
EAST PROVIDENCE — Human connections fueled a recent East Providence Police initiative, raising money to support breast cancer research and awareness.
“Breast cancer has touched all of us in the Department in some way,” said East Providence Police Department (EPPD) Administrative Clerk Kimberly Nelson. “It has touched wives, mothers, sisters and friends. I’m so proud to be part of an agency that knows we all need the community as much as it needs us. The support we receive is immeasurable.”
Nelson worked with East Providence Police and Fire Dispatcher Fran Newman to spearhead the Department’s Breast Cancer Awareness Patch fundraiser.
“The men and women of the EPPD are so much more than coworkers, I consider them family,” Newman said. “Everyone participated wholeheartedly in the Pink Patch fundraiser. We support each other and our community when the chips are down, unconditionally and we laugh together when times are good! Cancer doesn’t discriminate. Our bonds don’t either. EP STRONG!”
Several years ago, a team of East Providence Police personnel designed a commemorative EPPD pink patch, and the Department determined that all patch-sale proceeds would be donated to a breast cancer charity. The patches were sold starting in October, which is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Once we sold out of the latest run, I connected with all the women in the Department to find out which charity meant the most to them, so we could send the money where we thought it would do the most good,” Nelson said. “Fran Newman spoke up, knowing that one of the officers had a special connection to the Gloria Gemma Foundation.”
Newman’s friend, East Providence Police Detective Jason Nogler’s wife, Samantha, is Gloria Gemma’s great granddaughter.
“Through Jason and Sam, I’ve learned more and more about the Gloria Gemma Foundation,” Newman said.
On Wednesday morning, March 25, Maria Gemma Corcelli, Samantha’s grandmother and Gloria’s eldest daughter, met with members of the command staff and the women of the East Providence Police Department to accept their donation to the Foundation. The presentation was scheduled for March as part of the Department’s celebration of Women’s History Month.
Click here to learn more about the Gloria Gemma Foundation.
“Kim and Fran did an amazing job and really brought this initiative to life,” said East Providence Police Chief Michael Rapoza. “This was our second run of the patch though due to its popularity. So many of our citizens, and so many of our loved ones, are affected by cancer. This is a reminder that they’re always in our hearts. I hope this fundraiser helps the Foundation make someone’s life a little easier.”
###
Several years ago, a team of East Providence Police personnel designed a commemorative EPPD pink patch to help raise breast cancer awareness. (Photo Courtesy East Providence Police)
The East Providence Police sold pink patches to raise funds for the Gloria Gemma Foundation, part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to raise breast cancer awareness. (Photo Courtesy East Providence Police)
A team of East Providence Police personnel designed a commemorative EPPD pink patch to help raise breast cancer awareness. The Department sold the patches starting in October of the past several years, raising money for the Gloria Gemma Foundation. (Photo Courtesy East Providence Police)
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.