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Distributed March 25, 2004
Contact Kristen Cole

As Rebuilding Together, formerly called Christmas in April, marks its 10th anniversary rehabilitating homes and community buildings throughout the state, volunteers from Brown University will pitch in to refurbish one of the largest Boys and Girls Clubs in the city. The project is sponsored by Brown.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Faculty, staff and students will hoist paintbrushes, hammers and shovels to refurbish the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club at 90 Ives St., Saturday, April 24. Sponsored by Brown University, the project is organized through Rebuilding Together Providence, formerly known as Christmas in April.

Volunteers will meet at the Olney Margolies Athletic Center at 8 a.m. and carpool to the club, one of the largest branches of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence. This is the 10th year Rebuilding Together has undertaken projects in Rhode Island. Volunteers will receive a T-shirt that will gain them entrance to the organization’s late afternoon celebration at Waterplace Park in downtown Providence.

“Brown is an integral part of the community and a long-time partner in Rebuilding Providence. I am pleased that this year we are able to work on a project right here in Fox Point,” said Brown President Ruth J. Simmons. “The Boys and Girls Club is so important in this community, and this is just one more facet of the relationship that we have built with the club.”

The private not-for-profit youth agency has operated without interruption for the last 89 years and has been housed in its present location for the last 28. It offers a broad array programs for boys and girls ages 6 to 17. More than 400 local children are members, and many use the club daily. The facility also houses the Fox Point Senior Citizens Center, a branch of the Providence Ambulatory Health Center, and a branch of the Providence Public Library.

Brown has a longstanding relationship with the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club. Last spring, a road race in memory of David Zucconi ’55 raised funds for the club, and students frequently donate their time to the club. Most recently a group of 40 student athletes staged a Halloween haunted house for the neighborhood children.

Among the projects are slated for April 24:

• child care room: painting, replacing the ceiling tiles, removing old cabinets and installing a new coat rack; 
• computer room: installing new carpet;
• gymnasium: painting the doors and office;
• women’s locker room: painting and replacing the ceiling tiles;
• kitchen: removing wall cabinets, installing shelving, painting;
• common areas and restrooms: painting the stairway and restrooms, installing new coat racks;
• outdoor landscaping.

Brown’s project will be led by longtime volunteer Robert W. LaVigne, manager of structural trades, and Michelle M. Ross, administrative assistant in the Department of Psychology and member of the Staff Advisory Committee (SAC).

“It’s amazing what you can accomplish with a little organization and a group of people in one day,” said LaVigne, who has volunteered each of the last 10 years.

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