On June 8, 2009, more than 200 business and government leaders from around the state celebrated a momentous year for national service at City Year Rhode Island’s Red Jacket Breakfast at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Approximately $30,000 was raised at the event, which honored the accomplishments of City Year Rhode Island corps members serving children and communities.
The keynote speaker, United States Senator Jack Reed, has played an integral role in the national service movement and was a co-sponsor of the recently-passed Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. In 1993, Senator Reed helped bring the City Year Red Jacket to Rhode Island. His belief in expanding City Year outside of Boston has helped City Year corps members to ambitiously work to build stronger communities across the country. In the Ocean State, these young leaders serve as tutors, mentors and role models to middle school students during the school day, as well as lead after-school programs, school vacation camps and a Saturday service initiative for students.
In his remarks, Senator Reed stated, "With our rights and freedom come responsibilities – indeed, it is our collective duty as Americans to ensure that those less fortunate among us have access to life’s necessities. We make ourselves better by engaging in service that gives back to our communities and makes our society better, through teaching, mentoring, and tutoring children, building housing for the homeless, cleaning up rivers and streams, and addressing the medical needs of the ailing, to name a few."
The event was sponsored by Bank of America, CVS Caremark, Advanced Financial Service, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Hasbro, Textron, Pawtucket Credit Union, and Sodexo.
Photography was donated by David Dadekian Photography. Pre-event advertising was provided by Providence Business News.