Peter Cunha

David Louis Cunha Foundation Grants A Little Boy’s Wish For A Pool .

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On Tuesday, December 10th, David’s Foundation had the true pleasure of donating $ 4,000.00 to a young man whose only wish was to have a pool that he and his family could all enjoy together. Ethan is four year boy with a congenital heart defect that is very similar to what David was born with. Ethan was born with a single ventricle, and has gone through multiple open heart surgeries.  He and his family have faced many challenges in his four short years. Many sleepless nights for sure. But like David, Ethan has a winning personality and is full of life !! Ethan has a tough road ahead of him, but he is a fighter in every sense of the word, and a true lover of life. He reminds us so very much of our David….right down to his rosy cheeks !
Ethan will receive his brand new pool in the Spring time….thanks to your caring and kindness. YOU make all of what David’s Foundation accomplishes possible. As always, thank you so very much for your steadfast support.

David Louis Cunha Foundation & Noah Strong !

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On Wednesday, November 6th, David’s Foundation had the honor of visiting Noah Antunes & his Mom, Amy at their home in Smithfield. Noah is battling Burkitt Lymphoma, a form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Making the trip with us was our dear friend and David’s Foundation’s greatest supporter Ann Sabbagh from Seacoast Mortgage Corporation.  What a wonderful young man Noah is....it was a pleasure for all of us to meet and spend time with him. Noah is destined for great things. We would like to sincerely thank Ann Sabbagh & Maria Sangiovanni for their most appreciated support of David's Foundation. Ann & Maria made it possible for David's Foundation to support Noah Strong by making a generous donation. Keep fighting, Noah...we know you will ! We also know there is an angel in your corner.

David Louis Cunha Foundation 2nd Annual Softball Tournament – A Great Time & Success For A Worthy Cause !!

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On Saturday, September 28th, David’s Foundation held its 2nd annual softball tournament. It was an opportunity for David’s friends & family to get together & have fun & enjoy each other’s company in remembrance and honor of Dave. Through the wonderful generosity of the participants, $ 1,000.00 was raised for the family of baby Mickey Mollis to help with medical expenses.   Mickey is a little boy who was born with a rare disease called severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome, which is known as SCID.  Mickey was in need of a bone marrow transplant to fight this disease. We are so very happy to say that after a very long stay at Boston Children’s Hospital, Mickey is home and doing well now.

Our most sincere and heartfelt Thanks to the following – Shamus Anderson & Jorge Demelo  & Sam Perry for making this event happen again this year. Thank you to Joyce Perry & Jill & Arthur Patrie & Joan Costa & Ann Marie Barone & Lainey Dionne for all of your most valued help. Thank you to Riley White who graciously covered the cost of our T-shirts. And thank you to all of Dave’s friends ! Dave had & has the very best friends in the world. We know your buddy is always with you guys and sending you his love. Thank you all for your kindness & caring. Please stay tuned for more info and pictures !

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David Louis Cunha Foundation’s Annual Visit to the Edward Madden Open Hearts Camp.

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On July 27th, the David Louis Cunha Foundation made its third annual trip to the Edward Madden Open Hearts Camp in Great Barrington, Massachusett…s, in the Berkshires. As you may remember, this camp hosts children who have undergone all types of open heart surgeries…including heart replacements. During the entire Summer, the camp welcomes kids from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine. In support of this camp and the special work they do with these wonderful children, David’s Foundation was most happy to be able to donate $ 3,500.00 to sponsor fourteen children for a two week stay. It was David’s Foundation that donated this money, but it was YOU who made it all possible.
Along with Kevin Flaherty and his expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, David’s Foundation was able to donate this year a total of $ 7,000.00 to this truly amazing place. To visit this camp and spend time with these extraordinary children, is an experience that one does not forget. The children were truly content and excited to be there…and there was no hiding their camaraderie with each other. Though these children have many other friends at home, at this camp they share a common bond among each other…a bond that most others cannot begin to understand the depth of. There were no feelings of awkwardness, no feelings of uneasiness or embarrassment…just feelings of acceptance and and friendship. You are all most welcomed to join us when we return to the camp next Summer. It will surely make a lasting impression on you.
Thank you all so very much for your continued amazing support. We cherish your kindness and caring. YOU make everything possible.

Kevin Flaherty Takes The David Louis Cunha Foundation Along With Him On His Expedition To The Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa !

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Dear Friends, As previously posted, on July 12th, Kevin Flaherty and two of his friends began an expedition to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. On July 18th, they reach Uhuru Peak, 19,341 feet above sea level. Kevin dedicated this amazing journey to his dear friend David and David’s Foundation.
In support of this journey and in recognition of David’s Foundation, Kevin humbly appealed to family & friends for small donations. On August 24th, Kevin presented a check to David Zaleon, director of the Edward Madden Open Hearts Camp, for the amount of $ 3,500.00 !! As you may be aware, Open Hearts Camp hosts children who have undergone open heart surgeries…as David did. The meet up took place at the Smithfield Youth Memorial in Deerfield Park. This donation will sponsor (14) children to attend camp for two weeks !
We heartfully thank Kevin for his kindness and caring. Kevin, you are extraordinary and we know David is so very proud of you.

David Louis Cunha Foundation 5th Annual Fundraiser – A GREAT SUCCESS !!!

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On June 22, 2019, the David Louis Cunha Foundation held its 5th Annual Fundraiser.  Over 380 friends and family gathered at the Smithfield Elks Lodge to celebrate and honor the life of David with an evening of remembrance, music, food, and fun.  The event was highlighted with performances by music group RugBurn and Lainey Dionne, as well as a barbecue dinner with food throughout the night, fantastic live & silent auctions, and countless raffles.

The event was a GREAT SUCCESS !!!  David’s Foundation raised over $ 37,000.00 !!!  THANK YOU to all of our wonderful friends and family for your truly extraordinary support.  David’s Foundation’s mission is to positively impact the lives of children living with terminal and life-threatening medical conditions.  And ALL that we are able to accomplish is due to YOUR caring, kindness, and support. YOU make it all possible. Please stay tuned for more news about the fundraiser.

David Louis Cunha Foundation 5th Annual Fundraiser !!

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David Louis Cunha Foundation 5th Annual Fundraiser !

Saturday, June 22nd, 2019.

Smithfield Elks Lodge, 326 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI.

Barbecue Dinner / Plus food throughout the evening !

Doors Open at 4:00 PM .

Live Musical Entertainment by -

Smithfield’s Own Lainey Dionne 4:30PM and                              RugBurn 8:00 PM to Midnight.

Fantastic Live & Silent Auctions

and Many Great Raffles !!

Tickets $ 30.00 Per Person.

Contact: Cheryl & Peter Cunha (401) 419-2100 / dlcf2015@gmail.com

 

David Louis Cunha Foundation 2019 Scholarships

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 DAVID LOUIS CUNHA FOUNDATION  SCHOLARSHIP 2019

This scholarship was created in the loving memory and honor of David Louis Cunha, a 2012 graduate of Smithfield High School, and will be awarded to students who have excelled in community service.

David Cunha was born on January 1, 1994.   Though David lived with a congenital heart defect, he was vibrant, courageous and FULL OF LIFE.  With his infectious smile and wonderfully outgoing personality, he was a friend to all.  David was and continues to be a true inspiration to all who knew him.

David was a 2012 graduate of Smithfield High School and a member of The National Honor Society.  He was a junior at Rhode Island College majoring in Mass Media Communications.  David worked for the Rhode Island State Senate for six years and dedicated much of his free time to numerous non-profit organizations and community service.   David had a warm and giving heart and a strong and admirable character.  He had countless friends and family who loved him dearly and continue to do so now even more.  David passed unexpectedly in January, 2015.  The David Louis Cunha Foundation was created in David’s loving memory and honor and to continue his commitment to helping others less fortunate than he.  Helping children was a cause close to David’s heart.

The David Louis Cunha Foundation will award scholarships to selected applicants who meet the following criteria:

  • Be a graduating Smithfield High School senior accepted for the 2019-2020 school year to an accredited university, college, junior college, technical school, or other educational institute.
  • Exemplifies David’s compassion and commitment to helping others through community service, good citizenship, and respect.

Each applicant must submit a list of present and past community service activities, along with a short essay.  For the essay, please choose one or two of your activities and address how others benefited from your involvement, and how these experiences contributed to your personal growth.

Applications must be postmarked or submitted no later than Friday, March 15, 2019.  Applications will be reviewed by a scholarship committee appointed by the Foundation. Scholarships will be announced at Smithfield High School Honors Night. Scholarships will be dispersed to recipients upon enrollment verification.

Please complete the following and return it along with your typed activity sheet and essay to the mailing address given below.  Please remember applications must be postmarked no later than  Friday, March 15, 2019. 

Submit online, or Print and mail to: David Louis Cunha Foundation Scholarship c/o Mr. & Mrs. Peter Cunha  563 Log  Road Smithfield, RI  02917

    Student Information

    University, College, Junior College, Technical School you will be attending or have applied to:

    Community Service Projects

    Essay

    Directions: Your essay will be graded based on this rubric. Consequently, use this rubric as a guide when writing your essay and check it again before you submit your essay.

    Essay Criteria
    Printable Application

    2018 Comes To An End – Thank You All For Your Wonderful Support !

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    Dear Friends, 

    Since its inception in 2015, the David Louis Cunha Foundation has been privileged to provide over $ 38,500.00 in donations to Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts children in need.  In 2018, David's Foundation was able to proudly donate $ 15,050.00 to these children.  And all we do is made possible by YOU.

    Thanks to your kind generosity and most valued support, David’s Foundation was able to accomplish the following in 2018:

    On January 1st, to commemorate David’s 24th birthday, the David Louis Cunha Foundation donated an additional $ 1,750.00 to the Edward Madden Open Hearts Camp to purchase a much-needed new AED (Automated External Defibrillator) along with three sets of adult & child pads, and backup batteries.  An AED is used to react to and treat sudden cardiac arrest.  This AED is crucial to the operation of the camp and the well being of the campers.

    • February – Monster Tough 4 Davis Fundraiser. A donation of $ 500.00 was given to the Monster Tough 4 Davis Fundraiser in Warwick.  The fundraiser was for Davis McLarnon, a three-year-old boy who was  diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  Funds went towards medical bills for the family.
    • May - Scholarships to Smithfield High School. Two $1,000.00 scholarships were awarded to two graduating seniors who excelled more than any of their classmates in community service.
    • July - A Wish Come True / Warwick, RI. A donation of $ 3,000.00 was given to sponsor a young boy’s wish for him and his family to visit Disney World.  Davis is a four year who has been battling a form of brain cancer for quite some time now.  But he was well enough to visit Disney and stay at Give Kids The World Village, the same place David, Cheryl & Peter stayed twenty years ago.
    • July – Open Hearts Camp. A donation of $ 2,000.00 was given to Open Hearts Camp to sponsor eight for a two-week stay.  This camp hosts cardiac children who have undergone open-heart surgeries, many of who have received heart transplants.
    • August – Children’s Wishes / Warwick, RI. A donation of $ 2,000.00 was given to help sponsor a young girl’s wish for her and her Mom & Dad to visit Disney World in Florida.  Four year old Violet was born with cancer, Infantile Fibrosarcoma.

    And this past Christmas season, David's Foundation was most pleased to have been able to donate $ 3,800.00 to the following groups & agencies who specifically help children…children who do not experience the joys of Christmas that most do…children with no homes or who are away from their homes for good reason…children who are in great need of some Christmas kindness.

    Adoption Rhode Island
    Banner Of Love
    Christmas Is For Kids
    Friends Way
    Layla’s Dream Toy Drive
    Saint Michael’s Parish Outreach
    Smithfield Rotary Club
    Tannerhill House

     

    The David Louis Cunha Foundation once again wishes to heartfully and most sincerely thank you for your caring, kindness and support...support in so many ways.  We welcome 2019 as another year we are blessed to be able to reach out and help children.  As always, if you should know of a family or children’s agency or group who you believe David’s Foundation could help, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We ALL make a wonderful team.  And all we do, is always in the LOVING MEMORY AND HONOR OF OUR DAVID.