The memory of Jim Pagano will always be a part of the Cranston community. His family is making sure of that.
The Pagano family has announced the establishment of the Lt. Jim Pagano Charitable Foundation in memory of Jim Pagano, a 17-year veteran of the Cranston Fire Department who was killed in 2008 at his child’s birthday party. The Foundation will raise money to fund character-development programs for children in kindergarten through grade 12, in academics, athletics, cultural education and physical/behavioral wellness. The concept for the foundation’s mission arose from the need to reach out to the neighborhood children who witnessed the tragic event on May 18, 2008.
On Aug. 13, the family will be hosting the inaugural Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation Golf Tournament to raise funds for the foundation. The tournament will be held at the Alpine Country Club. The registration fee is $150 per golfer and includes a golf cart, lunch and dinner. Guests can purchase tickets to the dinner for $45 each.
There will be two hole-in-one prize opportunities with vehicles provided by Inskip’s Warwick Automall, among other tee contests and raffles. Sponsorship opportunities are available. The tournament will host 144 golfers from around the state and guests for dinner. The goal is to have 250 guests in total at the dinner, which begins at 6 p.m.
“Our son was a devoted family man and sports enthusiast, as well as an active supporter of the Cranston community. He was very passionate about the social, physical and psychological development of his children, as well as their participation in team sports and academic achievement,” said Rose Pagano, Jim’s mother, in a press release. “Our hope for the foundation is to assist children in achieving Jim’s noble passions and values; to help them develop as individuals and thrive as adults. It’s an opportunity to turn tragedy into triumph, senselessness into purposefulness, and to honor the memory of a fine human being.”
The tragic and senseless event of Jim Pagano’s death touched the hearts and minds of many in the state of Rhode Island and was widely covered in local and national press coverage. Due to the ensuing coverage in the news media, awareness of the story is always fresh. As the family tries to turn a tragedy into triumph, they are grateful for the overwhelming support already given to the Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation and believe the inaugural golf tournament will be a huge success both at the event and in generating media awareness. It is an opportunity for community citizens to come together for a valuable cause and make sense of something so senseless either as a participant in the tournament or as a sponsor.
At this time, the foundation is seeking sponsors for the golf tournament. There are many opportunities available, including, Corporate Foursome ($600); Individual Golfer ($150); Tee Sponsorship ($100); Bronze Sponsorship ($1,000); Silver Sponsorship ($1,500); Gold Sponsorship ($2,000) and Presenting Sponsorship ($2,500). Raffle and auction items are also accepted.
“As dedicated to his family as Jim was, he also enjoyed sporting events with his many friends. The foundation, and the golf tournament specifically, give us an opportunity to combine Jim's love of sports with his admirable values. In my son's memory, through the foundation we are determined to make a positive difference in the lives of children in our community,” said Jim’s father, Anthony Pagano.
The mission at the Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation is to make charitable grants to individuals or organizations that improve the quality of life for children, and foster character building and a strong foundation for their future. By funding programs in academics, athletics, music and wellness, the foundation hopes to develop future heroes and leaders who will in turn do the same in their communities.
“I miss my brother terribly; his strength, his passion for life and his friendship,” said Jim’s sister, Lisa Pagano. “The foundation is a wonderful way for us to keep his spirit alive and give back to the community Jimmy loved. Jim is a hero in our minds. The foundation was created to build future heroes and leaders amongst our children. I think he would be thrilled with our mission.”
For Rose Pagano, it’s the least they can do.
“So many people and organizations supported our family through an extremely difficult time. It's time now time to start to give back and the foundation will allow us to do that. We know that is what Jim would have wanted,” she said.
For more information, contact Lisa Pagano at 447-9505 or e-mail lisapagano1@verizon.net. You may also visit www.jimpaganofoundation.com. Please make checks payable to Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation and return to Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation, 2012 Charity Golf Tournament, 9 Everbloom Dr., Cranston, RI 02920.
