Reports from the Campaign Trail:
It Takes a Village to "Raise the Roof"

Since the public announcement of “The Campaign for the Black Rep” on April 9, 2002, campaign leadership and volunteers can boast groundbreaking support garnered from top officials and corporations across the state. Exactly one year ago, Chairman of the Board, Michael Van Leesten, joined campaign co-chairs Neil Steinberg (President/CEO, Fleet) and Fred Butler (Vice President/Corporate Secretary, Textron) to launch a comprehensive campaign to raise dollars in support of the renovations and operational priorities of the PBRC.

In the quiet phases of the campaign, stewarded largely by Van Leesten, dollars were raised in the form of city bond funds from city council members Balbina Young, Ron Allen, Kevin Jackson, and Patricia Nolan. The largest of all allocations was awarded by the executive branch through the leadership of former mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci. Those funds were used to support the $700,000 cost to purchase the new facility downtown.

Shortly after the company opened its new doors to the public, campaign volunteers (comprised of several business and community leaders) rolled up their sleeves and went to work. The exemplary commitment displayed by members of the corporate community in support of the Black Rep proved beneficial and rewarding. Most noteworthy in 2002 is the hands-on, daily support of employees of Fleet Bank.

Steinberg and staff provided sound counsel and service, not just for the ambitious goal to raise $3million for the Black Rep, but also to share business advice with PBRC staff. Among the outstanding businesspeople from Fleet who continue to participate are Director of Employee Listening, Vladimir J. Stevens; Small Business Loan Officer, Daniel J. Price; and Vice President of Small Business, Laura DiSano. DiSano also currently serves as a board member of the PBRC.

What is even more praiseworthy about this campaign is the fact that all of the volunteers involved from the corporate sector apply the same level of hands-on commitment to its success. KPMG Managing Partner, Patrick Canning, who serves as the campaign treasurer manages to extend critical support and reviews campaign progress regularly with staff.

It is no suprise that even in difficult economic times, campaigns like the Black Rep’s continue to thrive - because at the root of it all lies true philanthropic deeds, supported unanimously by all parties involved. The mere fact that large national corporations like Fleet, Amica, The Providence Journal, KPMG, and many others have forged strong ties with members of the arts and nonprofit sector like the PBRC is a testament to the meritorious support that the Campaign for the Black Rep has accomplished in its first public year.

In essence, it certainly does take a village, or a group of committed stakeholders and investors, to uplift and execute ambitious goals. The PBRC has been fortunate and appreciative of this gift. The board of directors, staff, and campaign steering committee look forward to more successess and achievements throughout the duration of the campaign.

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