Our Mission

"Our mission is to provide the underprivileged and at risk youths of Rhode Island the opportunity to attend various live sporting events. Our focus will be on children between the ages of 7-17 coming from low economic status.

Spectate, Educate, Participate

This 3 tier approach will keep the youths off the streets, away from drugs, and show them that athletes portray leadership, friendship and teamwork. It is our vision that these youths will model these attributes in their own lives.

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RISH Bowling Nights are Here! We host a Pizza and Bowling night every 1st Tuesday of the Month. Contact your RISH coordinator if you wish to attend send an email to Nicole Bourget

Upcoming Events

• 5/19 Tour of Fenway Park
• 6/2 Track & Field Clinic
• 6/28 Pawtucket Red Sox
• 7/21 Annual Outing/Barbecue w/special guest speaker, Chris Herron

See our Events page for more details.

If you wish to attend any events, please contact Nicole Bourget

In Memory of Linda D’Onofrio

In 2011, Rhode Island Sports Heroes, lost their Vice President Linda DOnofrio to a battle with cancer. Linda touched many kids by enriching their lives through our programs. She was very dedicated and committed to helping kids have fun and putting a smile on their faces. We will have memories of Linda the rest of our lives and many kids will never forget what she meant to RISH. The Officers and Directors of RISH will miss her energetic ways in making sure that our events were successful. God Bless, Linda!!!!

News

RISH attends 2012 opening day at Fenway Park

RI Sport Heroes brought a group of kids to Fenway Park on Opening Day. Thanks to Dunkin Donuts for providing the Dunkin Dugout to RISH. Pictured below is a framed T-Shirt given to RISH as a thankyou from "Lighthouse For Youth". Thanks to all the supporters of RISH for making this event happen.

RISH hosted a baseball clinic at Bombsquad Baseball Clinic in South Kingstown, RI

RISH held a Snow Tubing Event on Saturday, February 11th, 2012, at Yawgoo Valley, in Exeter RI

30 kids enjoyed a morning of snow tubing and hot chocolate. Based upon the smiles on the faces, the event was a great success. We will do it again next year.

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Chris Herron To Be Guest Speaker at the Annual RISH Outing/Barbecue

RISH is pleased to announce that Chris Herron, former NBA star and subject of the ESPN documentary, "Unguarded", will be a guest speaker at our annual outing on July 21st (Camp Westwood, Coventry, RI).

Chris Herren, a basketball legend from Fall River, Massachusetts, realized his dreams by playing for the Celtics in the NBA, only to lose it all to addiction. Drug-free since June 4, 2008, and alcohol-free since August 1, 2008, Chris has refocused his life to put sobriety and family above all else. In 2009 Chris launched Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren, a basketball player development company which provides customized, superior basketball training through private training, clinics and camps.
 
Off the court Chris continues to share his story with audiences in the hopes of reaching just one person and making a difference in their life. Chris formed The Herren Project to educate at-risk populations on addiction and help others in taking the first steps toward recovery and a life of sobriety.

We are excited to have Chris Herron as our special guest speaker. Please contact Nicole Bourget to register your group for the outing.

RISH Bowling and Pizza Night was held on January 10, 2011, at Mac's Bowlaway in West Warwick, RI

Over 50 kids enjoyed a free night of bowling and Pizza.

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RISH Receives a Grant from The Henry & Ruth Blaustein Rosenburg
Foundation

Rhode Island Sports Heroes would like to thank the Trustees of “The Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation, Inc. for selecting us to receive $15,000 grant.  This grant will be used for the Organization’s upcoming 2012 costs and activities.

It is a great honor to receive this grant for the third year in a row.  Through grants such as the one received from the Rosenberg Foundation, RISH continues its vision of enriching the lives of many kids throughout Rhode Island.

Basketball Hall of Fame

On November 5, 2011, RISH Hosted a trip to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. Over 50 kids and their chaperones had a great time.

About Us

Rhode Island Sports Heroes is a nonprofit (501.3c) organization based in Coventry, R.I. The organization is focused on making a difference in the lives of local area youth by engaging them in professional sporting events and having them participate in various athletic activities. Founded in September of 2004, the organization has reached out to thousands of Rhode Island's less fortunate youths and made a difference in their lives.

For additional info or to become a part of RISH, send an email to info@risportsheroes.org

Officers (click on name to contact):

Lou Tager - President
Nicole Bourget - Vice President
John D'Onofrio - Treasurer
David D'Onofrio - Secretary

Members (click on name to contact):

Tom Bauman	Jim Orenberg
Dave Bedard	Chip Rapecis
Dawn Belrose	Kristen Ricciardelli

 

RISH provides services through the community based upon a "3 tiered" initiative

Spectate

Educate

Participate

Some of the ways we have worked towards our initiative include:

Spectate: We have brought children to Professional and Semi-Pro Sporting events. We have attended Boston Red Sox, Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston & Providence Bruins games, Boston Celtics Games, URI & Brown Athletics events and more.

Educate: We are currently working with local community groups to build educational programs and activities. This includes programs such as Martial Arts, Dance, Lacrosse clinics and more.

Participate: Some activities we have put together include, bowling nights, deep sea fishing, ice skating, field days, snow tubing, outings, and more.

Please check our Events page on a regular basis to see what is being planned.

"We need more opportunities like this Celtics event to get the kids out of the city!"
-- Terry Thompson, House Coordinator for the Wayward Group Home

"These kids have a value asset to participate in a professional venue!"
-- Jamal Perry, Counselor of Shelter Programs

"Being a new employee for the Shelter programs, I had a great time with the kids!"
-- William Parmee, 8th Street Counselor for Shelter Programs

"Could not wait to come to this event!"
-- Tyron, a youth in the Shelter program

"Can't wait to try and meet one of the Celtics Players"
-- Isiah, a youth in the Shelter Program

"These Sports programs, professional games and meeting athletes are making these kids lives more exciting. The kids look forward in attending games and seeing the action live"
-- Lou Tager, President of Rhode Island Sports Heroes!