Hope for holidays event benefits Gotta Have Sole

By MERI R. KENNEDY

Posted 12/27/18

On Dec. 22, Rep. Robert Lancia (Dist. 16) and his wife Maryann, hosted their annual Hope for the Holidays at Panera Bread.

Thanks to all the great friends who came out to support our 4th Annual …

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Hope for holidays event benefits Gotta Have Sole

BRINGING SMILES: Pictured are Danny and Lori Lowinger, Mrs. Claus. Francici Perea Brito (2018 Miss Hispanos Unidos), and Maryann and Rep. Robert Lancia. They are standing behind silent auction baskets.

(Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

NEVER TOO YOUNG: Learning that they are never to young to give back, sisters Elena (age 8) and Ceci (age 2) Capaldi donated sneakers during the Hope for the Holidays event at Panera Bread in Chapel View.

(Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

Posted Thursday, December 27, 2018 2:16 pm

By MERI R. KENNEDY

On Dec. 22, Rep. Robert Lancia (Dist. 16) and his wife Maryann, hosted their annual Hope for the Holidays at Panera Bread.

Thanks to all the great friends who came out to support our 4th Annual Hope for the Holidays to benefit Gotta Have Sole Foundation. Also, a special thanks to Bahjat Shariff, franchise owner of Panera Bread at Chapel View in Cranston, for his hospitality and complementary coffee and treats, said Rep. Lancia.

Together they raised approximately $500 in goods and services. Gotta Have Sole seeks to gather donations of new sneakers for children in need. Founded by Nicolas Lowinger of Cranston when he was 12 years old, the Foundation asks others to purchase a pair of brand-new sneakers in their own shoe size to be donated to homeless children throughout RI through.

Some of the guests and supporters included Francini Perez Brito, Miss Hispanos Unidos, Robin Ferra, Mrs. Claus, Marco Capaldi, Director of the New England Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Arun Chaudhari, Founder and President of the nonprofit Jago World, and Iris Yinette Corporan, Founder and Director of the Dominican Dance Group Grupo Arcoiris.

Even though I will no longer be representing the House seat for District 16 in Cranston, I will continue to host this event. Danny and Lori Lowinger, and their son Nicholas, have been dear friends who my wife Maryann and I will continue to work with them.

For more information on the Gotta Have Sole Foundation visit www.gottahavesole.org.