Peter Cunha 
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:
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
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.
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.
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.
Hello Everyone,
The 4th Annual David Louis Cunha Foundation Fundraiser was a HUGE SUCCESS !
After all expenses were paid, the event raised over $ 33,000.00 !!
A MOST SINCERE AND HEARTFELT THANK YOU to all of you for your support. We have so much planned for this Christmas season and 2019 promises to be an exceptional year for David’s Foundation. We will be able to reach out to and aid more children in need than ever before. And all that David’s Foundation will accomplish, and has accomplished these past four years, is due to your caring and your continued support. Thank you all once again so very much, and look for more good news to come.
The David Louis Cunha Foundation would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following for their support of our 4th Annual Fundraiser.
Our Sponsors:
Ann Sabbagh & Seacoast Mortgage Corporation
BankRI
Anthony DiPaola & FGX International
Anonymous
Todd & Susan Harris
Jeffrey & Lisa Popper
William & Maryann Tsonos
Jim & Maggie Busam
Mark & Peggy Plociak
Mark & Denise Meiklejohn
Wendy Gongoleski – Birthday Fundraiser
La Famiglia
Peter & Mary Jane Theroux
Marie Puleo Flaherty & RE/MAX 1st Choice
Smithfield Elks Lodge #2359
Hydro Air Hughes
Fred & Jean Uttley & Ann Marie Bobola (In loving memory of Mrs. Anna E. Clinton)
Sodexo
Flood Ford of East Greenwich
Local Union 226 LIUNA
Pawtucket Credit Union
Our Live Auction Winners:
Tracy & Ed Pendergraft
Shirley Grande
Janet Schott
Pete Sangiovanni
David Boucher
Alan Goldberg
Kelly Waiter
Donna Perry
Our Silent Auction Winners:
Alan Goldberg
Andrew Pallozzi
Anna Murphy
Carole Stiles
Chantal Faucher
Dan & Pam Greene
David Boucher
Donna Andreozzi
Edward Murphy
Erin & Jorge DeMelo
Evan Perry
Gary Smith
Jennifer Perry
Joseph Tommasiello
Julie Georgio
Karen Aiello
Larry Dionne
Lisa Tommasiello
Lorraine Peloquin
Luigia Solda
Lynn Paton
Michelle Clark
Muriel Lombardo
Paula Pallozzi
Peter Perry
Russell Norton
Shawn Kaiser
Shirley Grande
Our Fundraiser Committee:
Jill Patrie
Deborah Gatto
Lisa Tommasiello
Wendy Gongoleski
Marissa Ricciardi
Teri Rozzero
Some Very Special People For Their Most Valued Help –
Pattie Saracino
Joyce Perry
Mary Mullen & Odds ’N Ends Marketing
Julie Latessa
Donna & Peter Perry
Linda DePalma
Donna DePalma
Deborah Gatto
Lydia Muccino
Paula Pallozzi
Ed Pendergraft
Tracy Pendergraft
Lainey Dionne
John Morris
Amanda Cordle
Donna Rodriguez
Bryan Sawyer & The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer
Resource Foundation
Erin DeMelo & Sugar Mama’s Sweet & Treats
Adam Mercer & Tapped Apple Winery
The Original Italian Bakery
Michael Cerio & Cerio Communications
John Tassoni & The Smithfield Times
Our Volunteers For The Event:
From The Elks Lodge:
Carole Stiles
Keith Stiles
Rick Natalia
Maureen & Dave Tessier
Tim Chilinski
Debbie Tomasso
From BankRI:
Lynn Paton
Sandra Pacheco
The Following Special People & Businesses For Their Contributions To Our Live and Silent Auctions:
Mark Mercurio & Go East Promotions
Peter & Karen Aiello
John Mazzocca
Marianne Lund & Berkshire By The Sea Resort
Steven Ricciardi & Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel
Cavanaugh Construction / David & Deneene Boucher
Alan Hochman & Alan Hochman Tours Inc.
Providence Biltmore Rhode Island
Debbie Richard & A Wish Come True
A.C. Jewelers
Arline McHugh
Barbara Fontaine
Bekah Berger / Cumulus Media
Beth Peltier
Crystal Lake Golf Club
Debbie Gatto
Diamond Hills Vineyard
Donna & Peter Perry
Donna DePalma
Gamm Theatre
Heather Pascale
Jill Patrie
Kassie Randall
Kim Longo
LaGondola Providence
LaSalle Jewelers
Laurel Lane Country Club
Linda DePalma
Lydia Muccino
Mandy Cabral
Marie & Tom Flaherty
Mary Leveille
Mystic Aquarium
New York Yankees
Newport Playhouse
Pamela Leach
Paula Duffy
Paula Pallozzi
Pedro DeJesus
Peter Aiello
Providence Bruins
Providence Performing Arts Center
Rachel Walsh
Rhode Island Philharmonic
Southwest Airlines
Trinity Repertory Theater
Village Paws
Zach Silva & '47 Brand
Thank You to you all...our friends and family. May God Bless you for your kindness and caring.
On February 22nd, 2018, the David Louis Cunha Foundation had the honor of donating $ 500.00 to the Monster Tough 4 Davis Fundraiser held at Saint Timothy’s parish in Warwick. The fundraiser was for Davis McLarnon, a three year old boy who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. To make matters worse, the tumor was metastatic and cells were found in Davis’s spinal fluid. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Davis and his family. We have been told that he is a very strong and resilient child. Like most children seem to be when faced with a severe illness, Davis is a real fighter! As you can see, the fundraiser was a huge success. Money raised will go towards medical bills and daily living, since Davis’s Mom has not been able to work spending all of her time with him at the hospital as he goes through his treatments.
Thank you all for your wonderful support of David’s Foundation. If you should know of a family or group that you believe David’s Foundation could assist, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
The David Louis Cunha Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established on January 13, 2015, upon the sudden passing of David Cunha. The Foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to families with children living with life threatening medical conditions. David’s Foundation also reaches out to children in general who are in need of some compassion and assistance in their daily lives and to local groups and agencies that are committed to help those children. Lastly, the Foundation awards scholarships to Smithfield High School graduating seniors who have excelled in community service and embody a generous heart, as did David.
Since its inception, the David Louis Cunha Foundation has provided over $ 24,500.00 in donations/grants and scholarships to deserving Rhode Island and near-by Massachusetts children.
In February of this year, David’s Foundation had the honor of donating $ 500.00 to the Monster Tough 4 Davis Fundraiser held at Saint Timothy’s parish in Warwick. The fundraiser was for Davis McLarnon, a three year old boy who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Funds will go toward medical bills for the family.
For the remaining of this year, we will proudly donate an additional $ 14,000.00 to children in need.
But for now, if you would, please review what David’s Foundation has been able to do so far with the wonderful support of our community, friends and family.
In 2017, thanks to the generosity and steadfast support of our community and so many friends and family, David’s Foundation donated a total of $ 14,100.00 and was able to accomplish the following:
Also, during the 2017 Christmas season, David’s Foundation was able to donate a total of $ 2,850.00 to the following local agencies to 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 were in great need of some Christmas kindness:
We are also most pleased to announce that on January 1st, 2018, 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.
David Louis Cunha Foundation /2016 Donations:
Christmas Season 2016, the David Louis Cunha Foundation was able to donate over $ 2,000.00 to the following local agencies to specifically help children.
Sponsors
Fundraising Committee
Volunteers
Friends of the David Louis Cunha Foundation,
Part of David’s Foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to families with children living with life threatening medical conditions. But David’s Foundation also reaches out to children in general who are in need of some compassion and assistance in their daily lives and to local groups and agencies who are committed to help those children.
As we have entered the last two months of the year with the holidays not being too far off, David’s Foundation appeals to you for your assistance. If you should know of a family or group/agency that you believe the David Louis Cunha Foundation could assist, please let us know.
We will gladly consider any suggestion. We are greatly indebted to all of our wonderful family and friends who have supported us for these last three years and we are always very conscious in how and who we donate our funds to. That being said, any suggested family or group/agency will be carefully reviewed for consideration.
Thank you all so very much for your continued support…and please help David’s Foundation successfully continue its mission.
Please use the form below to provide us the contact information we need to start this Christmas Giving process. ALL information submitted will be kept proprietary to the DLC Foundation and NO recipients will be contacted without prior consent from you.
We would like to distribute to every recipient we receive... but, could use your help. If you or your company would like to make a year end donation to our Holiday Gifting Program, please visit our "Donations" page.
Many companies have a "matching gift" program which would double your contribution! The David Louis Cunha Foundation is a 501(c)3 and all donations are tax-deductible.
Click here to donate
Join Rhode Island's own Steve Smith and the Nakeds and the DLC Foundation family for a great 2nd Annual Fundraiser on August 27, 2016! Smithfield's own Lainey Dionne will also perform. Enjoy all of our BBQ favorites and take a chance on winning wonderful raffle and auction items.
A great night out for a great cause!! Don't miss the opportunity to bid and win some great Live and Silent Auction Items including:
Tickets purchased online will not be mailed but your name will be on the prepaid reservation list at the event. To purchase tickets or make a donation online, just click on the links below.
To purchase tickets in person or for more information, please contact Cheryl or Peter directly.
Cheryl's Cell # 419-2100
Peter's E-mail Address [email protected]
If you can't make the event but would like to donate to the DLC Foundation, simply click here.
Donations in $10.00 Increments
$10.00
Donations in $100.00 Increments
$100.00
Donations in $1.00 Increments
$1.00
Need directions? Elks Lodge No 2359
On Monday, May 30th, the David Louis Cunha Foundation presented graduating Smithfield High School Seniors Angela Gattinella and Paige Howard each with a check for $ 1,000.00 - Angela & Paige are the very first David Louis Cunha Foundation Scholarship recipients. These annual scholarships will be awarded to graduating Seniors who exemplify David's compassion and commitment to helping others through community service, good citizenship, and respect. Congratulations Angela & Paige. And a special "Thank You" to our good friends Joyce Perry, who joined us at the presentation, and to Nick Patrie, who presented the scholarship awards. No doubt David is smiling and sending all of us his love.
