It may be the most unique gift Hasbro Children’s Hospital has ever received for its ongoing and extraordinary care of children who have been stricken with cancer.

Last Friday morning under a beautiful backdrop of sunny and blue skies, men riding motorcycles pulled in front of the highly-acclaimed hospital as visitor-upon-visitor looked at the uniquely dressed riders as they parked their bikes.

Decked out in black leather vests that featured a logo that read “Goodfellas Motorcycle Club,” the men were greeted by Hasbro’s Senior Gifts Officer/Campaign Manager Michele Brannigan who then walked with the group down a slight incline and into the hospital’s recently upgraded and beautiful garden/playground.

What transpired during the next 30 minutes was the Goodfellas walking around the impressive area where Hasbro officials take patients to enjoy the special setting and various playground apparatus and later listened to Vice President of Pediatrics Tracey Wallace explain about Hasbro’s award-winning missions that are bolstered by extraordinary donations such as the one the motorcycle club was about to present.

Soon thereafter, Anthony “Cal” Calabro, the Goodfellas treasurer, sat in a chair holding a mock check totaling $40,000 and was surrounded by club members and major sponsors whose unique support resulted in the extraordinary donation.

As for the actual bike run, that featured 215 bikes and began at Stefany Harris’ String Bar & Grill on George Waterman Road and extended into Connecticut before returning to One Victory Court in Johnston for the post-run party, the fifth annual event raised a record $20,000.

The additional $20,000 came from the generosity of Johnston resident Bruno Ramieri, who has done previous philanthropic work at Hasbro and offered to match dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 for the Goodfellas event.

“What Bruno did is amazing … mind-boggling as some people have told us … we can’t thank Bruno enough for his unmatched support … his support and generosity is unheard of these days …  it’s overwhelming;  Bruno is A GREAT GOODFELLA; an extraordinary and mighty man.”

To which Brannigan offered: “What the Goodfellas manage to do for Hasbro Children’s Hospital is extraordinary. We were so thrilled to see the number of participants at this year’s bike run. The camaraderie and good spirit everyone brings to this event is so inspiring.

It takes a lot of work to put a fundraiser like this together and the Goodfellas have been doing it for five years and each year it gets bigger and better. Hasbro Children’s Hospital is so grateful for the support the Goodfellas provide to our patients and families who rely on us now more than ever.”

Meanwhile, Chris Josephson who serves as Hasbro’s manager of annual planned giving who actually introduced Ramieri to the Goodfellas, offered: “We are so thrilled that the Goodfellas and Bruno were able to connect and make such an amazing gift together to the hospital.”

He then added: “We held his presentation in our Healing Garden which is an example of a space that was created through smaller gifts from our community. So much of what we do is funded by our friends and neighbors and the and the $40,000 raised through the ride and Bruno’s match will support all sorts of wonderful programming that has a direct impact on the lives of our pediatric patients. Gifts like this support our Healing Arts program, our team of Child Life Specialists and so much more.”

Through it all, Ramieri stood smiling and took his place for the group photo and later in his classy and humble way, said: “It makes me feel exceptionally good and that makes it all worthwhile; it’s very difficult to out this into words and I will continue to help as long as I can.”

The same holds true for Major Donors like Mark Albert AGI Construction, Rosciti Construction, R & A DeCesare Builders, Mike Dee, J.F. Brennan Co., Bob and Jennifer Calabro, Falcone Associates, Michael Barone Construction, Daniel and Jennifer Santos of Danny’s Appliance, Cotoia Electric Company LLC, Polisena Construction, VFW Post 272 of Warwick, of  David Levesque of Brewed Awakenings.