Washington Trust and Rhode Island Monthly announced that “Corey T” a photo taken by Eric Wertheimer, of Wakefield, R.I., is the recent winner of the I Luv RI photo contest and will appear in the April 2012 issue of Rhode Island Monthly Magazine.
“I have been here long enough to appreciate how much the fishing village of Galilee means to the state… as an industry, as part of our history, and as a favorite location for the seasoned tourist. The storm clouds help to magnify the true beauty of the area; the vessels, and the landscape, accentuated by the lighthouse across the way. This is Rhode Island!” said Wertheimer.
To enter your photos, please visit www.rimonthly.com/iluvri
Washington Trust held a “Community Skate Day” as part of its 12th Annual Peanut Butter Drive on Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 12:00 PM until 2:00 at the Washington Trust Community Skating Center in Westerly. Each person who donated a jar of peanut butter, or made a five dollar donation, received free admission to the Skating Center. All donations benefit the Jonnycake Center of Westerly. Free refreshments were provided courtesy of McQuade’s Marketplace and Bess Eaton. Free raffle prizes were also awarded throughout the afternoon courtesy of Washington Trust.
“The Community Skate Day is a great way for families to donate peanut butter to help their neighbors and have some fun at the same time,” said Joseph MarcAurele, Washington Trust Chairman, President & CEO. Washington Trust will donate all of the peanut butter and money from this event to the Jonnycake Center of Westerly. To find out more about the peanut butter drive, please visit www.peanutbutterbank.com
Washington Trust hosted a “Sports Fun Day” at the Warwick Mall on Saturday, March 10 from 12 to 2 p.m. as part of the Bank’s 12th Annual Peanut Butter Drive to benefit the local Rhode Island food banks. This free, family-friendly event featured sports mascots from area colleges and WEEI Sports Radio personality Mike Adams. Yawgoo Valley Ski Area’s mascot Shredder also made an appearance this year. Many local Rhode Islanders came out to donate a jar of peanut butter and then meet and have their photos taken with their favorite sports mascots, including: “Samboni” from the Providence Bruins, “Paws” from the Pawtucket Red Sox and “The Anchorman” from Rhode Island College. Mikey Adams from WEEI Sports Radio and the WEEI Street Team engaged peanut butter donors in trivia games and raffles throughout the day. A special thank you to everyone who attended the event. For more information on the peanut butter drive, please visit www.peanutbutterbank.com.
Washington Trust and Rhode Island Monthly announced today that “Prospect Park” a photo taken by Bara Mouradi, of East Greenwich, R.I., is the recent winner of the I Luv RI 2012 photo contest and will appear in the March 2012 issue of Rhode Island Monthly Magazine. “In this photo, the statue of Roger Williams seemingly warding off the leaden clouds speaks to the history of the man who founded Providence as a haven from religious persecution,” said Mouradi.
To enter your photos, please visit www.rimonthly.com/iluvri
Washington Trust recently received an Excellence award, in the Community Relations/Cause Marketing category, from the Southeastern New England Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA/SENE) for the Bank's I Luv RI social media campaign. Introduced in July 2011 on Facebook and the Internet, www.iluvri.com, I Luv RI is the Bank's ongoing initiative to promote Rhode Island businesses and celebrate all that's great about the Ocean State.
"We are thrilled with the success of the I Luv RI campaign and honored to be recognized for our efforts to help support Rhode Island businesses, events, and causes," said Joseph J. MarcAurele, Washington Trust's Chairman, President & CEO. "In just over six months, I Luv RI has already attracted more than 10,000 Facebook "likes", with an average of 160,000 post views, and more than two hundred and fifty business coupons."
Visit www.iluvri.com for more information.
With Rhode Island's hunger rate at an all time high, Washington Trust is conducting its 12th Annual Peanut Butter Drive through the month of March, with butter donations going directly to local Rhode Island food pantries. The Bank will also host a series of I Luv RI events to collect peanut butter donations. Jars of new, unopened peanut butter can be dropped off at any of Washington Trust's 18 branch locations or at the following I Luv RI March events:
"Rhode Islanders have been hit hard by the challenging economy and families are struggling to feed their children," said Joseph J. MarcAurele, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Washington Trust. He added, “Over the past ten years, we’ve fed millions of Rhode Islanders but the need still exists. We’re encouraging everyone to donate just one jar of peanut butter, which can make up to 16 sandwiches.”
For more information about the 12th annual peanut butter drive, or to get involved, please visit www.peanutbutterbank.com.
Washington Trust and RI Monthly today announced that Timothy Hiebert, of Providence, R.I., has been selected as the second winner of the I Luv RI’s 2012 photo contest. Hiebert’s stunning shot of the Providence River “I-Way” Bridge entitled, “Nocturne”, has been published in the February 2012 issue of Rhode Island Monthly Magazine.
"I shot 'Nocturne' during a winter walk from my Fox Point neighborhood across the old I-195 bridge in Providence, at a time when intrepid pedestrians could still roam on it at will and discover some of the best views in the city. The scene attracted me because it reflected at once the staid historic legacy and the pulsing youthful energy of Providence," said Hiebert.
To enter your photos, please visit www.rimonthly.com/iluvri
Washington Trust and RI Monthly are pleased to announce that Katie Gendreau, of Bristol, R.I., has been selected as the January 2012 winner of the “I Luv RI” photo contest. Katie’s breathtaking photo “Rough Surf at Sunrise” depicts the waves crashing over the Beavertail State Park coastline in Jamestown. The photograph, which appears in the January 2012 issue of Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, was one of more than 350 entries in the monthly photo contest.
“The ‘I Luv RI’ campaign was designed to celebrate all that’s great about the Ocean State,” stated Elizabeth B. Eckel, Washington Trust’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. “This photograph truly represents one of the Ocean State’s most beautiful spots and one of the many reasons Rhode Island is such a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.”
“As a landscape photographer, I am endlessly inspired by Rhode Island's beautiful coastline. I shot ‘Rough Surf at Sunrise’ on a very dreary November morning at Beavertail State Park. There was a storm offshore and the surf was as high as I've ever seen it; waves were pounding the rocks and all I could hear was the constant thundering roar of the ocean. It was one of the most exhilarating and dramatic scenes I have ever witnessed,” said Gendreau.
To enter your photos, please visit www.rimonthly.com/iluvri
Washington Trust helped brighten the holidays for nearly 40 families and hundreds of children in need in Rhode Island and Southeastern Connecticut. Bank employees “adopted” families through local nonprofit organizations and churches and purchased hundreds of gifts including: clothing, toys, games, and gift cards. Non-profit organizations provided Washington Trust with sizes, ages, and wish lists for local families in need and Bank employees donated “anonymously”.
This year, the Washington Trust company support these organizations:
Nine year old Riley Whitehead of Rumford, RI, was selected as the Super Fan of the Bank’s “I Luv RI” contest. Riley, son of Ellen and Michael Whitehead, received 4 courtside seats to the sold-out University of Rhode Island vs. Providence College basketball rivalry this Friday, December 23rd at the Ryan Center. They will also joing Washington Trust and 100 other fans for an “I Luv RI” pre-game pizza party.
Riley won the contest by posting a photograph of himself, dressed head-to-toe in Rhody Ram apparel, on the Bank’s “I Luv RI” Facebook page. Riley’s parents are proud URI alumni who passed along their love for the University to their children.
Joseph MarcAurele, Chairman, President and CEO of Washington Trust, was recognized for his corporate citizenship for his 40-year commitment to the local community on November 17th at the 11th Annual Providence Business News Business Excellence Awards.
MarcAurele has served on a number of boards, including the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council and the Urban Collaborative Accelerated Program.
"He is a down-to-earth gentleman who inspires people at all levels to do what's right and help in any way... whether it's with time, talent or money," his BEA nomination said while highlighting his charitable donations and volunteer efforts.
Representatives from Washington Trust presented “The Washington Trust Team Leadership Award” to two high school seniors at the annual Westerly High School vs. Stonington High School Thanksgiving Day football game. The 2011 award recipients were Arrow Johnson of Stonington High School and Alexander Santangelo of Westerly High School.
The seniors were selected by their coaches because they serve as good role models, leaders, and are loyal sportsmen. They are both held in high regard by their coaches and peers, and have created a legacy of hard work, both on and off the field. They are dedicated to their team mates, continually possess and maintain a positive attitude, and exhibit team spirit.
“Washington Trust is pleased to recognize these future leaders from our community,” said Joseph J. MarcAurele Chairman, President and CEO of Washington Trust. “Arrow and Alexander’s commitment to excellence and display of leadership has not gone unnoticed.”
Barbara Perino, Executive Vice President of Operations and Technology, and Paul Nunes, Vice President and Wealth Management Officer, presented the players with a trophy at the post game award ceremony.
The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation recently donated $12,000 to local food pantries in the communities the Bank serves in Rhode Island and Southeastern Connecticut season. Washington Trust employees also donated hundreds of canned goods and non-perishable food items to the pantries for local families in need during the upcoming holiday season.
Bank employees delivered $1,000 checks and items for Thanksgiving baskets to the following organizations:
“Washington Trust understands the struggles many families are facing this year,” said Joseph J. MarcAurele, Washington Trust Chairman, President and CEO. “We hope that our contributions will make the holiday season a bit easier for those in need.”
"This is an incredibly busy time for our food pantry and it is the community donations that really make the difference in keeping the food on our shelves,” said Elizabeth Pasquilini, Director of the Jonnycake Center in Westerly. “The 300 items of food collected by Washington Trust will feed as many as 85 people this Thanksgiving."
Children's Friend, a leading provider of child welfare, family support, mental health, and child development services recently held their 9th Annual "Investing in Our Children Luncheon". The event raised funds for the agency's innovative and effective programs that aid Rhode Island's most vulnerable children. At this year's luncheon, Washington Trust was awarded the 2011 Friend of Children Award. Peter Miniati accepted the award on behalf of Washington Trust.
"While this economy has taken its toll across the country, Rhode Islanders have been hit harder than most. This year, we are serving a record number of individuals - more than 30,000 people - and increase from 17,000 just three years ago." sad David Caprio, President and CEO of Children's Friend. "Thanks to the generous support we are receiving today, we can continue to make a difference in children's lives."
Washington Trust President and CEO Joseph J. MarcAurele, joined by five Washington Trust executives, on Monday served lunch to more than 200 hungry women, men and children at McAuley House.
The volunteerism – during national “Hunger Action Month” – was part of the “Lunch on Us at McAuley House” program. The program invites organizations to financially support the Providence meal site, and to send its employees to serve lunch and witness firsthand the impact they make. Washington Trust this month made a $5,000 donation to McAuley House, enabling the nonprofit to continue providing basic human needs.
“Without support from partners like Washington Trust, women, men and children in Rhode Island would go without food, clothing or shelter,” said Executive Director of McAuley Ministries, Donald P. Wolfe. “We are able to do this vital work because of friends like them.”
This is the second year in a row that Washington Trust has supported “Lunch on Us at McAuley House.” More than a dozen Washington Trust executives volunteered over a two week period.
The Providence Bruins are excited to start their 20th season and they will be celebrating all season. On Tuesday, September 20th they introduced the 1st annual Black & Gold Game which sold out the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Members of the Boston Bruins and the Providence Bruins shared the ice for an exciting intersquad scrimmage. The Dunkin’ Donuts Center will also host the 20th Anniversary Bruins Alumni Game. The Providence Bruins Alumni Game will feature some of the most popular players from the 20 year history of the P-Bruins. For more information on these and other Providence Bruins games, please visit their website www.providencebruins.com.
Join Washington Trust and the Providence Bruins as they kick of their 20th season on Friday, October 7th. Be one of the first 1000 fans and receive a complimentary “clapper” from Washington Trust to make some noise and cheer on the PBruins!
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Washington Trust employees visited Block Island Septemeber 10th and 11th to celebrate Block Island's 350th Anniversary. The weekend was full of events for the whole family! The annual Run Around the Block 15K Road Race took place on Saturday, September 10th. Runners took a scenic route around block island, taking in all of the beautiful sights and sounds. The weekend ended with a concert at The Sullivan House. Visitors enjoyed the sounds of the Beantown Swing Orchestra and Block Island's very own Booze Beggars, while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. All proceeds from this concert went to benefit the Block Island Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad.
Block Island will be celebrating its 350th Anniversary through the end of the year. The tourism council will be hosting special "350" events throughout the year, running all the way to December 31st 2011. To see the full list of special events click the title above or visit www.blockisland350.com.
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On September 9, 10 and 11th, thousands of people came together to celebrate Family, Fun and Entertainment at the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce's annual "Taste of Mystic". Over 30 local restaurants lined Cottrell Street, in Historic Downtown Mystic each offering a unique and delicious taste of their specialty. Patrons could enjoy some of their favorite foods while taking in the views from the Mystic River.
In addition to the delicious food, there was live entrainment provided by local musicians such The Cartells, Kevin Crandell Band, High Times, Flowers and Kain and Mind Body and Soul and Eight to the Bar.
Washington Trust volunteers sold tickets which were used to purchase food among the various vendors including The Bridge, Mystic Pizza and North End Deli.
Washington Trust celebrate their 211th birthday with a fun-filled day at the acclaimed Roger Williams Park Zoo; a Rhode Island gem. It was a great day shared with the African elephants, giraffes, zebras, snow leopards, red pandas, moon bears, gibbons, penguins and much more in the beautiful park setting. The Washington Trust star mascot was at the zoo taking pictures with all of his fans! Children participated in a scavenger hunt while enjoying one of the oldest zoo's in the country.
Friends of Washington Trust received $2 off adults and $1 off children for up to 4 people in a party. And what is a birthday party without birthday cake! Each of the Washington Trust braches served cake and refreshments to customers throughout the day. All week long the Bank is celebrating with raffle prizes in the branches. Stop by today and enter to win!
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The beautiful beaches? Historic landmarks? Fantastic restaurants? Washington Trust wants to know! As the nation’s oldest community bank, we ♥ Rhode Island because it’s the place we’ve called home since 1800. And as we celebrate what’s great and special in Rhode Island, we welcome you to join us. Visit our website, iluvri.com, and like us on Facebook to share your favorite Rhode Island photos, best places, trivia, and more. You’ll also find updates on local community events, special discounts from Rhode Island businesses, and more!
Washington Trust recently launched the I ♥ RI campaign to show our commitment to promoting local businesses and to help grow Rhode Island’s economy. We have already partnered with many terrific Rhode Island businesses and organizations and would “luv” to have other local businesses join our efforts to celebrate what’s great about the Ocean State.
If you would like to participate, please contact marketing@washtrust.com for more information.
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Washington Trust and FirstWorks will once again partner to present The Rising Stars of FirstWorks – a FREE summer lunchtime concert series. The weekly series kicks off on Thursday, July 14 and will take place each Thursday at noon through August 4. The series celebrates the diverse talents of the region’s most inspiring young performers and renews Washington Trust and FirstWorks’ shared commitment to community and artistic excellence. Each forty-minute outdoor concert will be held at noon at the Washington Trust financial district branch, located in downtown Providence at the intersection of Westminster and Orange Streets.
Now in its third year, The Rising Stars of FirstWorks will open with The Laotian Dance Troupe of the Laotian Community Center of RI on July 14. The Laotian Dance Troupe will present a rich and colorful performance that focuses on the Kinnaly, one of the loveliest mythological beings that dwell in the Himmapan Forest. The Kinnaly, also known as “Daughters of the Sky God”, often escape their father's celestial playground, descending to Earth to enjoy simple pleasures such as bathing in the river. “Kinnaly”, the song of the same name, depicts this particular bathing scene before the runaways fly back to the heavens.
Napua O' Polynesia – "Flowers of Polynesia" dancers, drummers and musicians will perform both Kahiko (Ancient) and Modern hula on July 21 in a cultural tour of the music and dance of Hawaii, New Zealand, Tahiti and The Philippines.
On July 28, Music One will perform a showcase featuring students’ original compositions and arrangements. Music One’s innovative program is designed to support and educate youth by cultivating their talents in original music and multi-media projects while providing mentoring, leadership development and empowerment for making positive change.
The series will conclude with RPM Youth Voices on August 4 in a spiritually uplifting and culturally enriching musical performance featuring gospel, jazz and blues.
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Washington Trust is sponsoring the traveling panel exhibition The Many Faces of George Washington which will be hosted by the Newport Historical Society in July 2011.
The Many Faces of George Washington will be a centerpiece of the Newport community’s Fourth of July celebration, which will also feature the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Colony House—the same place where it was originally read in July 1776.
Through color graphics of paintings, photographs and iconic objects from the Mount Vernon collections, the exhibition presents the many different faces of George Washington’s leadership as a general, statesman, farmer and visionary entrepreneur. The exhibit will be placed into the 1739 Colony House, which hosted George Washington during several visits to Newport during and after the Revolutionary War.
The exhibit is scheduled to be opened for viewing at the Colony House in Newport every day from June 25th – July 9th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. During those times tickets can be purchased at the Colony House for $6. In addition, the exhibit will also be viewable during the last week of June and through the month of July for those who sign up for the regularly scheduled Colony House / Wanton Lyman Hazard House tour, offered every Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:30 AM. Tickets for the tour are $12, however during the exhibit run, for just the Colony House portion the price is $6. Tickets for Colony House / Wanton Lyman Hazard House tour are sold at the tour departure point, the Museum & Shop at the Brick Market, 127 Thames Street, Newport, RI (401) 841-8770.
For additional information on The Many Faces of George Washington Traveling Panel Exhibit please visit Newport Historical Society’s website at www.newporthistory.org or contact NHS at (401) 846-0813.