BAY VIEW ACADEMY TEAM HONORED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GLORIA GEMMA BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Paws for a Cause raised $6,500 for the Gloria Gemma Flames of Hope 5K

East Providence, RI – On Sunday, November 10th, Bay View Academy’s Paws for a Cause team, a group of students, teachers and family members who participated in the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundations’ Flames of Hope 5k Walk, were honored as top fundraisers at a reception at Whiskey Republic (Providence, RI). Paws for a Cause raised more than $6,500 in support of Gloria Gemma, making them the seventh highest fundraising team overall (out of more than 200).

This is the second year that Bay View Academy’s Paws for a Cause team participated in the Flames of Hope 5K. The team of over 150 students, teachers, staff and family members, was the second largest team to participate this year.

Paws for a Cause fundraising effort began in advance of the October 13th Gloria Gemma 5K with a Breast Cancer Awareness week at the Academy. It included bake sales, t-shirt and novelty item sales and pink sporting gear worn at Bay View Bengal’s athletic events. Paws for a Cause, so named as a nod to the Academy’s mascot, the Bengal tiger, is moderated by athletic trainer and physical education and health teacher, Helen Malone (North Attleboro, MA). Helen attended the Top Fundraisers Thank You Brunch, joined by Bay View Paws for a Cause members and top supporters, Stephanie Brown (Senior, East Providence, RI), Shelley Hobson (Senior, Rehoboth, MA), Alexa Raposa (Freshman, Johnston,RI) and Victoria Allienello (Freshman, Johnston).

Alexa Raposa (Freshman, Johnston, RI) and Hannah Cabral (Freshman, Tiverton, RI) were the top fundraisers for Paws for a Cause. Stephanie Brown, Shelley Hobson, Jacqueline Parente (Senior, Bristol, RI) and Yanice Grajales (Sophomore, Providence, RI) were the main student organizers of the fundraising efforts and the push to register participants for the walk. Jacqueline, Yanice and Hannah were also invited to the Thank You Brunch but were unable to attend.

Club moderator, Helen Malone, is already making plans for next year. She says, “The Paws for a Cause team would love to have more members next year, so keep the Sunday of Columbus day weekend open and join our team!”