Scholarships and Wishes

Hello Friends,

On Thursday, June 6th, 2019, David's Foundation had the true pleasure of donating $ 4,000.00 to A Wish Come True in Warwick, RI to help sponsor a young boy's wish. Five year old PJ, his brother, Joe, and his Mom & Dad will be vacationing at Disney World in Florida. PJ will get to meet and spend time with all of the Disney characters, including his favorite, Mickey Mouse ! 😃

PJ was born with SCN1A seizure disorder / epilepsy. PJ has had multiple seizures, sometimes everyday, for the past five years. Heartbreakingly, it is a condition he will not outgrow.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Ferreira and Justin Gorgone – 2019 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. And coincidently, also as David, both Elizabeth & Justin deal with congenital health conditions. Winners are chosen by a panel of some of David’s former teachers from the high school and middle school. This year there were eighteen applicants. Elizabeth and Justin both received $1,000.00 to put towards their first year of college.

Thank you again to all of our wonderful supporters. Summer is our busy season ! Please stay tuned for more great news from David’s Foundation.

Hello Friends of the David Louis Cunha Foundation !

On Thursday, August 10, 2017, David's Foundation had the pleasure of donating $ 5,000.00 to A Wish Come True to sponsor a young boy's wish. Domenic, his Mom & Dad and sister will be vacationing on Block Island for one week in August. They will be staying in a beautiful farm house with lots of land, a view of the ocean, and many farm animals to make friends with 🙂. Domenic is a nature buff so he will be in his glory. As David was, Domenic is a cardiac child, and both he AND his sister have had to battle serious health conditions all of their lives...and continue to do so. We found Domenic and his Mom & Dad to be most gracious and genuinely nice. Their lives are challenging and worrisome to say the least...but their family love keep them strong. David' Foundation is very pleased to be able to reach out to this family. And we are able to do so because of YOUR support and caring. Thank you all so very much...YOU who support David's Foundation make it all possible.

July 31, 2017

To: David Louis Cunha Foundation
From: The Edward J. Madden Open Hearts Camp
Re: $2,500 Donation
Federal Tax ID #: 111-962-110

Dear Cheryl, Peter, Donna, and Peter

When you first got in touch with the camp I was immediately struck by the poignant nature of your foundation and what you were giving back to the broader community in David’s memory. After spending some very meaningful time with you and hearing the stores about David’s innate gifts and unique nature I am even more honored that you chose to bestow this generous gift on our program.

I just can’t communicate enough how much we appreciate the gift, the value of the message behind it, and the legacy that David has left. I enjoyed spending time with you all immensely and I have nothing but admiration for your extension of love through your foundation and your personal connection.

We will put this donation to excellent use as a scholarship fund for families…particularly families from Rhode Island, as I know that’s a goal of your mission. The kids that get to experience a little bit of what you witnessed during your visit here will be massive beneficiaries of your support and the experience we can offer them in the Berkshires.

Here’s to new friendships, generosity, kindness, and tremendous legacies.

Our Deepest Thanks and Much Love,

David Zaleon
Executive Director, The Edward J. Madden Open Hearts Camp

Open Hearts Camp

Hello Everyone, 
Some great news from the David Louis Cunha Foundation ! 
This past Saturday we visited the Edward Madden Open Hearts Camp in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in the Berkshires. This camp hosts children who have undergone open heart surgeries...many of who have received heart replacements.

During the entire Summer, there are children who come from RI, MA, CT, ME, and a few from outside of New England. We went on the high recommendation of David's Cardiologist, Dr. Patricia Rompf.

Now as you may know, David's Foundation is EXTREMELY careful on who the foundation donates to...we truly do our due diligence. We choose to help smaller organizations and families who are in TRUE need of assistance. With what we learned on our own about this camp along with Dr. Rompf's recommendation...we set off thinking that David's Foundation would sponsor eight children for a two week stay at the camp.

Well, we were so impressed with the wonderful and caring staff, the happiness of the children, and the beautiful location for these children to experience...we decided to sponsor ten children...and will do so again next year...if not more.

We found these children to be 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 dept of. No feelings of awkwardness, no feelings of uneasiness or embarrassment...just feelings of acceptance and and friendship.

After a tour of the camp, lunch with the kids, discussion with the director & staff AND the children, when we left to go back home, we were so happy that David's Foundation connected with these folks.

We believe that there are exciting possibles for the the David Louis Cunha Foundation and the Open Hearts Camp in the future. As always, thank you so very much for your continued wonderful support. YOU make everything possible.

David's Foundation is able to sponsor these ten children to experience this great camp because of YOU. Look for more great news from the David Louis Cunha Foundation coming soon...and THANK YOU again !

Congratulations to Alyssa Ricci and Nicholas Squillante – 2017 awardees 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.  Alyssa and Nicholas both receive $1,000.00 from David Louis Cunha Foundation – thank you all again for your wonderful support… all we accomplish is always in the loving memory and honor of our David.

Hello Everyone,

Great news from the David Louis Foundation!  David’s Foundation will be sponsoring 8 children to attend the Open Hearts Camp in Great Barrington, MA for two weeks this summer!!  We are looking to sponsor five children from Rhode Island and three children from Nearby Massachusetts.  The Open Hearts Camp is a non-profit summer retreat which hosts children who have undergone the rigors of open heart surgery or have received a heart transplant.  Please check out their website at OpenHeartsCamp.org and you will see what a wonderful place this is.  All of this is made possible through your generosity, support and caring.  I have said this many times and I will continue to do so… YOU are the FOUNDATION… You make it all happen.  Thank you all so very much and look for more great news coming!