Peter Cunha

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 / [email protected]

 

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. 

     

     

     

    THANK YOU !! The 4th Annual David Louis Cunha Foundation Fundraiser – A HUGE SUCCESS !

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    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. 

    “All we do is always in loving memory and honor of David”

     

     

    2018 David Louis Cunha Foundation Scholarships!

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    Congratulations to Hannah Dauray and Lily Caswell – 2018 recipients of the David Louis Cunha Foundation Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to Smithfield High School graduating seniors who have excelled in community service and embody a generous heart, as did David. Winners are chosen by a panel of some of David’s former teachers from the high school and middle school. This year there were thirty two applicants. Hannah and Lily both received $1,000.00 to put towards their first year of college. Thank you again to all of our wonderful supporters…and a special Thank You to Nick Patrie for his service in representing David’s Foundation. All we accomplish is always in the loving memory and honor of David.

    David Louis Cunha Foundation Assists Monster Tough 4 Davis Fundraiser.

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    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.