The Lions Roar...serious and fun information from the Westerly Lions Club

The following letter appeared as a letter to the editor in the February 2009 SO RhodeIsland magazine.

Don't forget the Other Jonnycake Center

Since our move a year and a half ago, The Bradford Jonnycake Center, now located in downtown Wsterly at 23 Industrial Drive, has been in a constant state of growth. Our new faciltiy has allowed us to expand the services we offer: GED classes have been ongoing for a few semesters now, and our first round of life skills and computer classes are scheduled to begin in a few weeks. We have also physically expanded, pushing out walls in the thrift store to increase our reail space and adding commercial-sized refrigerators and freezers to our pantry.

Unfortunately, we have also seen the number of clients we service growing anf growing. Some major employers in the area have shut their doors, and others are scaling back on hours so that families that were once getting by are now having trouble making ends meet. Since August, we have seen a 400% growth in requests for financial assistance, and right now, one out of every three clients walking through our doors is new. It is becoming ever more challenging to meet the needs of the community, and we need volunteers now more than ever before. We depend on volunteers to keep every aspect of our operation afloat, from social services to the pantry, and the thrift store.

If you are motivated to help your neighbor and would like to join a dynamic and enthusiastic team that is making a difference in southwestern Rhode Island, then I urge you to consider a volunteer opportunity with us. There are a lot of great volunteer positions in our organization available for people of all ages and skills, listed on the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island website. To find out more information on the Bradford Jonnycake Center of Westerly, visit www.freewebs.com/jonnycake.

Mark Berado

President, Bradford Jonnycake Center of Westerly

Robert P. Christina Sr., 72, husband of Rose Marie (Cofone) Christina, of Yankee Drive, Westerly, died Feb. 3, 2009, at The Westerly Hospital.
Born in Westerly, he was a son of Mrs. Rose (Chiaradio) Christina of Westerly and the late Angelo Christina.
Bob had been employed for 39 years at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, retiring as Inventory Control Supervisor. He had also worked as a mail courier for 10 years at The Washington Trust Company.
He was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church, where he also served as an usher, for over 40 years.
Bob was a U. S. Army veteran actively serving from 1957 to 1959.
He was a graduate of LaSalle Academy, Class of "54".
He was a member of the Westerly Lions since 1978, Westerly Lodge of Elks, B.P.O.E. #678, the North End Social Club, the Westerly Democratic Town Committee, the Columbus Day Parade Committee, the Mount Carmel Society, a former member of the Westerly Licensing Board, a former member of the Westerly Housing Authority Board, and a former member of the Westerly Italo-American Club.
In addition to his wife and mother, he leaves a son, Robert P. Christina Jr. of Providence; two daughters, Robin Lamphere and her husband Chet and Lisa Chiaradio and her husband Bob; a brother, John Christina and his wife Sandra, all of Westerly; five grandchildren, Rachel Lamphere, Meagan Lamphere and Taylor Lamphere, and Hannah Chiaradio and Jonathan Chiaradio; three brothers-in-law and six sisters-in-law; several aunts and uncles; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High St., Westerly. There is no procession from the funeral home to the church. Burial will be in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly.
Family requests in lieu of flowers that contributions in Bob's memory be made either to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 111 High St., P.O. Box 556, Westerly, RI 02891 or to The Bradford Jonnycake Center, P.O. Box 273, Westerly, RI 02891.

This information was provided by The Westerly Sun