EAST PROVIDENCE – The Rotary Club of East Providence/Seekonk held its annual installation luncheon event last week at Davenports Restaurant.
The group elected 2026-2027 officers and board members, inducted new member Rhonda Lapham, executive director of FeedRI in Rumford and a resident of Douglas, Mass., and bestowed “Above and Beyond” awards to several members and others in attendance.
East Providence Mayor Roberto DaSilva presented each of the incoming board members with certificates of recognition from the city. Much to his surprise, the mayor, who usually bestows awards to others, was presented by Rotary Club President David Kent with the first “Above and Beyond” award at the luncheon for his continued and ongoing support of the club’s service and community activities.
Other “Above and Beyond” awardees included Betty Galligan, a Riverside resident, Lori DiPersio, also of Riverside, Elise Strom, of North Attleboro, William Francis, of Rumford, Sue Axelrod, of Barrington, and Rotary District 7950 Gov. Nicole Brien, of Woonsocket.
Brien thanked those who served in leadership positions during the previous year, and presided over the installation of the incoming officers and board members as follows: President Bart Axelrod, of Barrington, President-Elect Vanny Nhem, of East Providence, Vice President Valerie Perry, of East Providence, Secretary Lori DiPersio, of Riverside, Treasurer Scott Haggerty, of Rumford, Immediate Past President David Kent, of East Greenwich, and Directors Alicia Alexander, of Pawtucket, Betty Galligan, of Riverside, Patty Lyons-Bousquet, of East Providence, Mary Roda, of Rumford, and Elise Strom, of North Attleboro.
Immediate Past District 7950 Gov. Sharon Johnson, of Scituate, inducted Lapham into Club membership.
A non-denominational blessing with a peace theme was given by Riverside resident and member of Bridgepointe Christian Church Tom Fredericks, and a moment of silence was held in honor of Rotarian Steve Propatier, a Seekonk resident who recently died
The Rotary Club also presented five local charities with check donations, as follows: Aldersbridge Communities of East Providence, Doorways Food Pantry of Seekonk, East Bay Community Action Program of East Providence, Good Neighbors of Riverside and Rumford, and Tap-In of Barrington. Rotary District 7950 Assistant Gov. Paul LaFleur, of Bristol, assisted with presenting to the charities.
Visit www.epseekonkrotary.org for more.
