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JANUARY 2003
Patricia Barrett
Kingston, Rhode Island
For more than 20 years, Patricia Barrett, 83, has been a regular
volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program run by the Seniors Helping Others organization of South County. Until the last year, she and her late husband, Robert, brought meals to people all over
Narragansett and South Kingstown. Now she drives the northern Narragansett route with her 103-year-old mother, Barbara Damon, as her copilot. While her primary duty is bringing meals to people in
need, Patricia also checks up on her elderly clients, calling their families or even the police if she spots trouble. She also brings a bit of friendship to many, staying to
chat for a few minutes or offering a ride when needed. This Community Hero has touched the hearts of many during more than two decades of service.
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Travers deGroot
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Travers deGroot is a Community Hero at only 17 years old. One
Friday night in October, as he was driving home from a friend's house, Mr. deGroot saw a car in front of him drift over to the opposite side of the road and hit a stop sign and telephone pole
head on. The driver had apparently fallen asleep at the wheel. Without a second thought, Mr. deGroot was out of his car and rescuing a 13-year-old girl who was trapped in the passenger seat.
Next, he and the driver of the car pulled a 15-year-old boy from the back seat. Within minutes, the car was engulfed in flames, but thanks to the courageous help of Mr. deGroot, all three passengers survived.
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FEBRUARY 2003
Patrick Harrington
Cranston, Rhode Island
Patrick Harrington, a bartender at Twin Oaks restaurant in
Cranston, was on his way home from work when he noticed a car accident on the side of the road. Mr. Harrington stopped at the scene and found an off-duty firefighter tending to one of the
passengers. He then ran to the burning debris to reach the driver of the vehicle and cut his seatbelt, which would not disengage. Both men were able to free the driver—just before flames engulfed
the vehicle. Although the driver later succumbed to the injuries he sustained during the accident, his family was grateful that Mr. Harrington was there to save him
from the terror of being trapped in the burning vehicle. Mr. Harrington's nomination came from the off-duty firefighter, Armand Niquette, a hero in his own right.
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Debra Lamoureaux
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Debra Lamoureux, a Pawtucket resident, was nominated for her
extended dedication to her community. Ms. Lamoureaux' community involvement began with her daughter and the other children in her neighborhood, for whom she hosted numerous craft
and swimming parties. She was involved in her daughter's school and Girl Scout troop, and even founded The Friendship Club for girls who wanted to help the community. Ms. Lamoureaux has
continued to increase her involvement in the community even now that her daughter is older. The Friendship Club has grown into a women's club that works
with Hasbro Children's Hospital and area nursing homes, soup kitchens, and shelters to bring cheer to those in need. Ms. Lamoureaux also knits hats and scarves to
donate to shelters and assembles rosaries for church mission groups. Through years of dedication and involvement, this hero has made a great impact on her community.
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MARCH 2003
Janie Lupica
Providence, Rhode Island
 At nine years old, Janie Lupica has captured the attention of the
staff at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with her fundraising efforts. Miss Lupica has made it her mission to raise as much money as she can to help fight the disease that threatens her little brother Will's
life. She's always looking for new ways to raise money, and has even asked her friends to make donations instead of giving her birthday gifts. Her dedication and resourcefulness have led to more
than $1,200 in donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This generous and compassionate young person is a true Community Hero.
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Martin Nager, DMD
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
 Dr. Martin Nager has quietly become a hero to hundreds of people
in need since he began working with the Traveler's Aid Society in 1992. On a monthly basis, Dr. Nager has provided periodontal, preventive, and surgical services to homeless individuals who would
not otherwise have access to dental care. He also gathers resources from colleagues to increase the availability of services to the homeless, and was instrumental in establishing and funding the
Traveler's Aid Web site. Dr. Nager is president-elect of the Rhode Island Dental Association and lectures nationally on periodontics. His time and expertise in the
field of dentistry are valued greatly by the Traveler's Aid Society and its clients.
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APRIL 2003
Sandra Hope MacKenzie, RN
Jamestown, Rhode Island
A registered nurse, Sandra Hope MacKenzie has used her medical
training and skills to improve the lives of hundreds of people both in Rhode Island and in South America. She volunteers as a nurse at a free medical clinic in Providence that offers care to those without
means to pay for medical care. Last year she traveled to Honduras to provide specialized medical care for residents of areas in which no medical care is available. Before her trip she collected eye glass
donations to bring with her. While she was in South America, she also helped deliver food to residents of Nicaragua. She is currently organizing a fundraiser for a
10-year-old Honduras boy who needs physical therapy and a specialized wheel chair with all-terrain tires. Mrs. MacKenzie plans to return to Nicaragua this spring to continue her volunteer work.
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Mary O'Rourke
Wakefield, Rhode Island
Mary O'Rourke has been a mentor with Big Sisters of Rhode Island
for 10 years, and has mentored two Little Sisters during that time. She has maintained an active relationship with Amanda, her current Little Sister, for six years. Amanda was only 12 years old
when Ms. O'Rourke met her, and now that she is 18 and ready to embrace adulthood, Ms. O'Rourke is still a positive role model in her life. Ms. O'Rourke also helps out with the administrative functions
of Big Sisters, including fundraising and media relations. Her dedication to mentoring has made her a hero not only to her Little Sisters, but also to the entire Big Sisters organization.
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MAY 2003
Sarah Abrahamson, RN
Smithfield, Rhode Island
Sarah Abrahamson is a home care nurse for the Roger Williams
Medical Center, and last December was at an assisted living facility making her rounds when she heard someone yell, "Call 911!" Ms. Abrahamson ran to the scene to find a 79-year-old woman lying on
the floor, not breathing. Ms. Abrahamson immediately initiated CPR and ultimately saved the woman's life. Ms. Abrahamson admits that as a home care nurse, she rarely uses lifesaving skills. But when
she found herself in the situation, the instinct and knowledge just kicked in. At last report, the woman she saved was doing just fine. Congratulations to Ms. Abrahamson for going above and beyond the call of duty.
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Lisa Procter
East Providence, Rhode Island
 Lisa Procter is a Community Hero because of her selfless giving to
those in need. A wife and mother of three, Ms. Procter has been providing an elderly support/care service for the past 16 years. She dedicates her time to any person in need to assist with
caregiving, housecleaning, shopping, or simply conversation for those who cannot leave their homes. She is not paid for the time and effort she gives her "clients" and is so dedicated that when
her car broke down recently, she either walked or rented a car to get to her clients. Ms. Procter is truly a humble and caring Community Hero.
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JUNE 2003
Edwin Boger, PhD
North Providence, Rhode Island
A recently retired professor of biology at Worcester State College
in Massachusets, Dr. Edwin Boger has also staffed the Epiphany Meal Site in Providence every Saturday for more than 18 years. He began as a volunteer and has become head chef at this
organization, which serves nourishing meals to 75 to 125 clients and families in need. He is also a member of the Providence Pantry Board and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank subcommittee,
and has been involved with the Seamen's International Maritime Ministry for more than 10 years. An active member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Providence, Dr. Boger has made community service an important part of his life.
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Claire Witkos
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Claire Witkos has been described as an "angel" who brings the
warmth and joy of music to Newport Hospital's Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center every Monday morning. She personally encourages all rehabilitation patients to join her in the dining room
of the facility, where she sings, plays the piano, and leads a sing-along with tunes to touch those of all ages. The music encourages patients to interact with others and helps them reach
their goals for functional, cognitive, and spiritual well-being. Ms. Witkos' faithful appearance each week offers the opportunity for patients to take their minds off their illnesses and focus on having fun.
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JULY 2003
Marc Boisvert
Johnston, Rhode Island
 Marc Boisvert, a police officer in the town of Johnston, serves as
facilitator of the Johnston Police Explorer Post #405, a youth program that helps young people become responsible, caring adults who contribute to the community. While exploring a career in law
enforcement, post members each commit 200 hours per year to service in their community. Officer Boisvert has served as facilitator to the post for more than six years, acting as a mentor
and role model to many young people, and helping them improve the quality of life of Johnston residents. Young post members can rely on Officer Boisvert to provide
support and assistance whenever they need it. His dedication has made him a hero in his community.
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Joan Zompa
Providence, Rhode Island
 Joan Zompa is a woman on a mission to improve the lives of those
around her, especially people who live in Providence's West End. Ms. Zompa is director of the St. Vincent DePaul Ministry, an outreach ministry of St. Charles Parish. In this role she oversees a
soup kitchen that feeds more than 200 people every week, and coordinates a food pantry, free medical and counseling services, and clothing donations. She involves everyone in the
community—parishioners or not—in events and programs such as a summer barbecue, holiday gift giving, and a summer program for children. Ms. Zompa makes
a special effort to get to know and personally advise some of the most needy members of the West End community, and in doing so has made a difference in the lives of many.
View The Press Release
AUGUST 2003
Sister Ann Keefe
Providence, Rhode Island
Sister Ann Keefe is determined to bring about change in our
community. She has been instrumental in founding many community organizations, including Taming Asthma, an organization that provides free asthma care and education to uninsured and
underinsured individuals in Rhode Island. When Sr. Ann was told that asthma affects the minority community disproportionately, her answer was "let's do something." She did, and the program has
operated for nearly five years, treating 500 patients per year, on a total budget of only $3,000. Sr. Ann also helped organize Providence CityArts for Youth, the
Community Boating Center, Family AIDS Center for Treatment and Support (FACTS) Nursery, and the Institute for the Study of Practice of Non-violence. Her dedication has changed our community for the better.
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Diane Sangermano
Greenville, Rhode Island
In 1997, Diane Sangermano volunteered as a visiting resource for a
girl living at Greenville House, a residential care facility for abused and neglected girls. Since then, she has "adopted" all the girls at Greenville House and Farnum House, a similar facility also in
Smithfield. With her own funds and a matching grant from the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts, Ms. Sangermano has arranged for on-site drama classes through All Children's Theatre
for all the girls. Recently, the girls gave a theatre performance at the Village at Waterman Lake, the retirement community where Ms. Sangermano works. She has
also provided the girls with ballet tickets, and is looking into a dance program for them. Ms. Sangermano's support has helped the girls develop confidence,
communication and social skills, cooperation, discipline, and empathy. She is their Community Hero.
View The Press Release
SEPTEMBER 2003
Stuart Giannini
Lincoln, Rhode Island
For more than 15 years, Stu Giannini has been a friend to the
students, staff, and families of Meeting Street, an organization that helps children with disabilities and developmental delays. Mr. Giannini has served in multiple roles to assist Meeting Street with
many projects, his talent being film and media production. He helped to produce several promotional videos, and most recently revived the Meeting Street Telethon, a fundraising and publicity
event that had become prohibitively expensive. Mr. Giannini sought community sponsors and produced the entire show himself, making the 2003 telethon the most successful yet.
Rita Marsella
Johnston, Rhode Island
Rita Marsella is a Community Hero not for any one particular act,
but because she has generally made helping others in need an integral part of her life. Ms. Marsella is a skilled tennis player who donates much of her time to give lessons to disabled and elderly
members of her community. She is a nurse whose quick thinking and medical knowledge have led her to save six lives with CPR, and she is also a volunteer for the Community Police of Johnston. As a
Eucharistic Minister for her church, she has helped bring communion to residents of nursing homes and hospitals who are unable to travel. Ms. Marsella's help and
support for members of her church and her community have made her a hero to many people. |
