Two leading Rhode Island philanthropic organizations demonstrate commitment to children with gifts to strengthen programs and support educational opportunity 
1/5/12 – Providence, RI – A grant received just before Christmas from the CVS Caremark Charity Classic to support academic and after-school programs, and this year’s selection as one of the charities benefitting from the Charity Classic tournament gala auction in June, combined for a gift of more than $100,000 that will directly benefit the students at The San Miguel School of Providence.
One of 64 charities to benefit from the CVS Caremark Charity Classic, San Miguel proudly joined in the recent check presentation press conference announcing the distribution of close to $1.2 million raised by the annual tournament. San Miguel fifth-grader Niko George (above) and Executive Director Brother Lawrence Goyette, FSC, shared the podium with CVS President and CEO Larry Merlo and PGA Tour Professionals/CVS Caremark Charity Classic co-hosts Billy Andrade and Brad Faxon.
In his address, Niko noted his personal gratitude for the important support that comes from the CVS Caremark Charity Classic. “Being at San Miguel means so much to me, and I know it is because of caring people like everyone who helps with the golf tournament that I can be at San Miguel,” said Niko. “It feels like I have been given a gift. Thank you for helping me to be part of the San Miguel family!”
“Giving back to our local communities is at the heart of the Charity Classic’s mission,” said Eileen Howard Boone, tournament chairwoman for the CVS Caremark Charity Classic. “Our passion for enriching our community only gets deeper when we hear stories of need and outcomes of success like those at the San Miguel School. We are so pleased to be able to support this great organization, especially during these tough economic times.”
The CVS Caremark Charity Classic is Rhode Island’s largest charitable sporting event and hosts some of the best PGA and LPGA professional golfers in the world. Funds generated by the tournament, launched in 1999, are distributed to area nonprofit organizations that provide vital funding to a range of programs serving children, families and people in transition throughout Southeastern New England. San Miguel School students have participated in the annual event as volunteers and junior reporters. The tournament is an important service opportunity for students, reinforcing the value of giving back to the community.
The new year will also bring improvements to technology in San Miguel’s classrooms thanks to a grant from The Champlin Foundations. A recent gift of $23,170 will improve computer access and reliability with purchase of a terminal server and new classroom computers.