Rhode Islanders Are Thankful for Everything From Beating COVID To a “Return of Hugs” in the Future

James Monteiro

Reentry Campus Program Founder

First and foremost, after catching COVID, I am thankful that I can breathe.....there were a few nights that were scary, to say the least. My mother passed from COPD and we watched her leave earth because of not being able to breathe so I know what it means.

Just grateful right now.  And then for all the "angels"-- people who were there for me and dropped stuff at my door (too many to list) from ginger root, to tea, to soup, to apple cider vinegar, to thermometers to blood oxygen level readers, to prayers...everything.

And then for all my RCP staff who kept the work of educating currently and formerly incarcerated people going forward in my absence without any supervision..... I can go on and on.

2020 was a rough year and without the support of the individuals close to me...not sure if I would have been able to make it.

Gina Raimondo

Rhode Island Governor

Every Thanksgiving, we take time to remember all we have to be grateful for. While we may be celebrating differently this year, that tradition is more important than ever.

I am so incredibly thankful for the thousands of Rhode Islanders who have stepped up during this crisis—the health care workers keeping us safe, the teachers going above and beyond for our kids, the neighbors looking out for one another, and all the frontline heroes showing up to work every day under difficult circumstances.

Despite the hardship, despite the sorrow and fatigue and frustration, we’ve found a way to rise to the challenge and take care of one other. Thank you, Rhode Island. We will get through this together. From my family to yours, have a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving.
 

Reynaldo Almonte

Rhode Island Latino Public Radio

Certainly there are things to be thankful for this year.  As the General Manager of Latino Public Radio I am thankful for the volunteers that continue to make LPR News a media outlet worth following.  During this pandemic the volunteers constantly were and still are producing and bringing up to date information to our community.

The family of LPR is so thankful for the kindness of those foundations, businesses and corporations that believe in us. Our goals were to work together with their support to keep all Rhode Islanders safe and we will continue to do so. Tough times often bring out the best in us and working together just makes the message stronger.

Our community has suffered a lot of losses but it has also brought back the gift of extra family time.  2020 has presented them with more time to connect, to spend time together and enjoy each other. It has also forced people to reflect on their community, professional goals, and a whole lot of self reflection. I hope they learned that we are stronger than expected and still optimistic about the future.

The team of LPR News would like to wish all Rhode Islanders a wonderful Thanksgiving, stay safe and keep healthy!
 

Rose Weaver

Actress, Producer, Community Leader

Despite the pain, the suffering and ignorance in high places, I see glimpses of hope for a better world for all the people rising up before me.

I’m grateful and thankful for our leaders who have the wisdom and dedication to reunite us as a community.

I’m thankful that I have the smarts and courage to do the right thing and listen to the science of this pandemic and protect my neighbors from me and protect me from myself by wearing a good mask everywhere I go. Even to the door to pick up deliveries.

I’m thankful that I have shelter, food, sight, smell, and a generous heart.

I'm thankful that the truth is finally coming out about how Black people really feel and are being heard that Black Lives Matter as much as every living being in this universe!

I’m thankful that I still have love in my heart for mankind, for people from every walk of life.

And I’m thankful that America chose Kamala Harris, a wise woman of color who knows how and when to speak up with clarity and dignity, how to listen and learn, how to admit her mistakes and correct them, and how to fight for all our freedoms written in the Constitution of the UNITED States.
 

Maribeth Calabro

Providence Teachers Union President

Each year at Thanksgiving when asked what I am grateful for my response is my husband, son, my family, my amazing friends, my job, my students, and my Union brothers and sisters.  But, this year I am also thankful for time and resilience.  Time is a precious commodity and I have learned how important it is to make the most of my time with family and friends because we don’t know how long it will be until you can share time together again.  The importance of spending quality time with family and friends has been amplified by this pandemic and pushed us to focus on each other rather than on things. 

I am also thankful for the resilience of the human spirit and the grit it takes for all of us to get through this pandemic.  I am also thankful for all of the community leaders, questioners, limit-pushers and organizers that worked tirelessly this past year, with a renewed sense of purpose, hope for our collective future and for a push towards unity between and among races and ethnicities, to heal the chasm and foster antiracism in every corner of our cities, states and our country. 
 

Iftikhar Ahmad

RI Airport Corporation CEO

I am thankful for my family and friends. I am grateful for our team at the airport and the opportunity we all have to serve our community.

My heart goes out to all the families that have experienced a loss during this pandemic. May they find peace and comfort.
 

Hilary Levey Friedman

Brown University Professor and President of RI NOW

Always - but this year more than ever - I am thankful that my immediate family and friends are alive and healthy.

Professionally, 2020 was the year a book I had worked on for some time came out (Here She Is: The Complicated Reign of the Beauty Pageant in America, released in August by Beacon Press), so I am thankful that project is now complete.

Finally, while the world of politics was far from calm this past year, I am thankful for the results of the November election - both nationally and at home here in Rhode Island (period!).
 

Anthony Sanders

Founder of Be-Woke-Enterprises

Despite 2020 being a tumultuous year I am thankful for a family, resilience, health, life, & Hope.

Although the pandemic has shifted the way many live it’s enabled our family to be closer. We spend more time together & both my sons have started exercising regularly together.

The pandemic has given me a great lesson of resilience. It’s taught me to just keep KEEPING on -- losing two friends this year to COVID19 has taught me life is fragile & precious, and that life can change at the blink of an eye.

After all of the civil unrest in our country, racial divide & hate spewed by some I am hopeful that our country still is a place that believes in what’s right. Experiencing approximately 160 million citizens vote has renewed my hope in democracy & goodness in people.

Joseph Shekarchi

Rhode Island Speaker of the House-Elect

I am very thankful for the good health of my father, 94-year-old Dr. Khalil Shekarchi, and my immediate family. 

I am also grateful and appreciative of the overwhelming support I received from the House Democratic Caucus to be the next Speaker of the House.

Jim Vincent

NAACP Providence Branch President

I am thankful to God for giving me the health and vitality to lead the NAACP Providence Branch during, arguably, the most racially polarized period that our nation has experienced in over 50 years! 

I am thankful that Governor Raimondo has a chance to appoint three women of color: Melissa Long, Maria Ferro Deaton and Elizabeth Ortiz to the Supreme, Superior and Family Courts, respectively, increasing the much-needed diversity of our judicial system and making history with the Long and Ortiz appointments!

Also, I am thankful that the NAACP Providence Branch Young Adults Committee, the Devine Nine and the Rhode Island Coalition of Black Women, successfully, organized a Souls to the Polls initiative providing rides to almost two dozen voters who voted in our national election! 

Thankfully, the nightmare of the Trump presidency will come to an end on January 20!

Finally, I thank our supporters, members and volunteer Executive Committee for remaining steadfast and vigilant against all forms of discrimination, bigotry and hate wherever it rears its ugly head!

Christina Paxson

Brown University President

There is no doubt that we as a community are addressing major challenges: a public health crisis, high unemployment, weakened businesses, stressed nonprofits, a long overdue racial reckoning and a polarized political climate. In this difficult time, I am grateful to the countless people in Rhode Island who are stepping up to confront these challenges with a sense of purpose, solidarity and compassion.

This includes the frontline health care workers who are treating patients in ICUs; our government leaders who are making the hard calls on how best to protect the health and the livelihoods of our citizens; the school teachers who are committed to ensuring that Rhode Island children will not lose a year of education, whether through remote or in-person instruction; and the college students and many others who participated in get-out-the-vote drives this election season.

I could go on, but my point is that, although adversity can bring out the worst in people, it can also bring out the best. This Thanksgiving is a time to recognize and honor the best.
 

Juan Wilson

Founder of JJUANtheBRAND™

During this unusual 2020 holiday season my resilience is being tested. This year in general has been filled with plenty of challenges. My social norms interrupted, revenue streams staggered and the worst part of this year is suffering COVID-19 related losses within my family and friend circles. I recently lost a loved one who played a crucial part in my life. He was an elder cousin but more like a big brother. He was the glue for my entire family and the loss is felt wide. It has been extremely hard maintaining well being in mental and physical health, but I see all of these challenges preparing me for something. I am not sure what, but I have to believe there is a purpose for it all. I am thankful for all the lessons during these trying times.

There is so much going on I am looking forward to our next President and the new administration to hopefully lead us as a country to a better time. My spirit has been scared and almost feels broken the past few years, but I am still optimistic, hopeful and thankful. I am thankful for having woken up another day. I believe the creator still has a purpose for me each day I wake. I am thankful for my family and loved ones in my life.

Thankful for both my business and community projects moving forward in a positive direction. First our Atlantic Records recording artist Raiche breaking onto the Billboard charts and our producer araabMUZIK nominated for a 2021 Grammy for his contribution to the Jay Eletronica album “A Written Testimony”. Second, my community projects Youth Empowerment Society (YESPVD) innovating community engagement with technology and soon the formation of a community foundation coming early 2021 with a primary focus on system change for people of color.

Lastly, 2020 is about to come to an end. I know that the closing of this year does not mean things will be better at the turn of a new year, but I am still hopeful and thankful to reach another year.
 

Ed Iannuccilli

Physician, Former RI Hospital Board Chair, and GoLocal Contributor

I am thankful that I will be able to move forward, to move into December when, after the solstice, each day grows longer by a minute, when the virus' beat will retreat, when the vaccine is introduced, when we can begin to return to normal, howsoever it may be.

Kyle Bennett

United Way of Rhode Island

There are so many things I am thankful for: I'm thankful for my family, my close friends, and a dedicated team of coworkers supporting Rhode Island during this crisis. I'm also thankful for those individuals who have stepped up during the pandemic to provide financial resources, elbow grease, skills-based volunteering and a gentle ear to listen to those who may be isolated or otherwise feeling lovely. I'm thankful for an incoming president who has worked to support working-class households for his entire career. I am grateful for an incoming vice president who will address inequities as she has throughout her career.

I'm also thankful for our local leaders who have worked tirelessly to keep Rhode Islanders safe, keep our environment and economies so beautiful and productive to the best of their ability. Most of all I'm thankful for today, you see it was not promised for me to be here. And since we're all here together it leaves me feeling incredibly thankful.
 

Olivia King

Singer/Songwriter

I would say I'm thankful for the health of my family.

Also -- to still be able to connect with my supporters through Instagram Live Streams when we can’t be doing concerts!

Raymond "Two Hawks" Watson

Founder of Providence Cultural Equity Initiative

In 2020 I’m thankful for my family and loved ones. I’m also thankful for my health because of everything going on with COVID. I have close and extended family members and friends that have been affected, which makes me appreciate more the importance of good health. I’m also appreciative of the State changing its official name. It is about time that we start to authentically reconcile with the State’s history. The support from voters—when compared to just 10 years ago—shows that despite all of the frustrating moments that we see here in Rhode Island, the community is more open to addressing its historical legacy; good and bad.

Lastly I’m grateful for the opportunities that 2021 will bring. PCEI is currently involved in the discussion on an international level regarding the opportunities for cultural tourism and cultural engagement that Providence and Rhode Island have to offer as the world explores ways to respond in a post COVID-19 era. Efforts such as Mayor Elorza’s truth and reconciliation initiative, our developing collaborations with Roger Williams University and the Providence Foundation, the quality of cultural heritage, and the diversity of cultural communities that now call Rhode Island home only further cement our assertion that Providence has the capacity and cultural resources to make its mark as an international cultural tourism destination. From the ongoing discussions that we’ve been having, Providence has a lot to be looking forward to as we start the new year.

Dan McKee

Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor

This year, I am thankful for the immense kindness shown by Rhode Islanders. Throughout this pandemic, we have seen time and time again why we truly are the smallest state with the biggest heart.
 
I am deeply thankful for our health care workers, the hundreds of Rhode Island National Guard members who supported the state’s COVID-19 response, and all who have gone above and beyond in their jobs and everyday lives to keep us safe. I am also grateful for the sacrifice of the servicemen and women who will be away from their loved ones this holiday season—we thank you and we cannot wait to welcome you home.
 
And of course, I am forever thankful for my family. From all of us to all of you: Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Nellie Gorbea

Rhode Island Secretary of State

It’s especially important to remember that even during tough times, there is so much to be thankful for. This year I hope we can all take a moment to be thankful for the healthcare workers and first responders on the front lines of the COIVD pandemic, and the doctors and researchers working on the vaccines that are hopefully on the horizon.

I’m also thankful for our teachers who are working incredibly hard while facing several new challenges each day.

Lastly, I’m thankful for our local and state election officials, whose months of hard work made this year’s election an unprecedented success.

Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott

Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health

I am so grateful for the many blessings in my life, including all the family, friends, and other loved ones who support me each and every day. They are my rocks.

I am also so thankful for the incredibly talented, hardworking public heroes who I am honored to call colleagues at the Rhode Island Department of Health and across state government. They are my – and Rhode Island’s - rock stars. They have been working night and day for the last nine months to keep Rhode Islanders as healthy and safe as possible when it comes to COVID-19.

Ed Brady

Restaurant Owner and Cranston City Council Member

2020 has been a very difficult year for so many. Families have lost love ones, small business owners are fighting for survival, friends have lost their jobs, our first responders are working tirelessly week in and week out to protect us. As we continue to fight through this pandemic for survival I am thankful for the kindness we continue to witness from our community on a daily basis. There have been so many kind people who have stepped up and continue to support others in need.

At the restaurants we have helped feed over 10,000 first responders this year from private donations. We are blessed to have the opportunity to prepare meals for over 250 people and families in need this Thanksgiving. Now more than ever I feel connected to my close family and friends as we unify and support each other to get through this virus. It is difficult to visit and see our high risk friends and family. I miss the little things like having lunch with my grandmother or hugging my mother and will never take those luxuries for granted again. We need to continue to unify, stay positive, and support each other. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Jorge Elorza

Mayor of Providence

I am thankful for the collective sacrifices and impact that Providence residents have made this year to get our community through these difficult times.

Whether staying home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, volunteering to hand out food or masks, or standing up for racial justice -we have stuck together and will continue leading by example.

Allan Fung

Mayor of Cranston

I’m grateful for a million things, including my health and incredible family.  Yet, as I transition out of the third floor office at City Hall, I’m so thankful to the residents of Cranston for trusting me as I led through pandemics, the great floods, and the rebirth of our city.  We took it from a city in financial ruin, to one of the top 50 cities in America for three straight years. 

Ups and downs aside, I’ll forever be thankful to my neighbors here in Cranston for the tremendous privilege of being their Mayor, and for the amazing opportunities the future holds.”

Dr. Michael Fine

Advisor to RI House COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, Former RI Director of Health, and GoLocal Contributor

I'm thankful we got covid and not Ebola.

I'm thankful for my colleagues who are health care workers who are out there every day risking their lives and not thinking too much about how this was all preventable

I'm thankful for everyone who stood together to defend democracy. And a little extra for the too few Republicans of conscience, who had the courage to speak out against tyranny when their careers were on the line.

And I'm thankful for Go Local and your willingness to be an honest broker of the truth.

Gary Sasse

Founding Director of the Hassenfeld Institute at Bryant University

I am thankful for each new morning with its light and hope, love and friends and all God’s gifts.

I am particularly thankful for all those helping us fight the coronavirus and those who developed the vaccine.

I am thankful for new a new beginning in our federal government that I pray will unite America.
 

Robin Garceau

Interior Designer and GoLocal Contributor

This unique Thanksgiving, I am truly thankful for the good health and well-being of my family, friends, colleagues and clients.  This virus gives us all pause; the time to reflect on what is really important, finding the ability to adapt, learning to find calm among the chaos and change the very way we are built.  

For someone who is always out and about, very social, loves to travel and an Italian “hugger”, I have finally found the calm needed to persevere. This Thanksgiving is definitely different, but could be one of the greatest to realize what is ultimately most important.

Wishing everyone Good Health and Happiness on this Thanksgiving Day.

John Ghiorse

GoLocal Meteorologist and Member of RI TV and Radio Hall of Fame

I am very thankful that friends and family have been healthy so far during this pandemic and also for the courage and dedication of all the heroic health care providers and public servants.

I am also thankful that Rhode Island was spared any major weather disasters during this mega-active hurricane season.

Maria Rivera

Central Falls Mayor-Elect

I am thankful for the courage and resilience that the people of Central Falls have shown as we have battled through, and continue to battle through, some of the highest COVID-19 infection rates, per capita, in the country. As we prepare for the holidays, we must think of the people who have lost loved ones to this terrible virus and other crises.

Let us all take a second and pray for them and their families. The times we are living should be a testament to the fact that we have no time to waste. We must continue to spread love and unity and be there for one another. It is in unity that we can overcome pain and sorrow. I am also tremendously thankful for my family and friends and the Central Falls community who have entrusted me with the duty to serve them. I am thankful for the local, state and federal leadership who continue to work hard to provide critical relief to our communities in need. Above all, I am thankful to God who has protected my children when I am serving others. Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless Rhode Island!

Rob Horowitz

Democratic Strategist and GoLocal Contributor

I am thankful for American voters’ wise decision to fire Donald Trump, for principled conservatives, such as Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Mitt Romney and Jonah Goldberg, and most of all, to borrow a phrase from Ross Perot, for my world class daughter.
 

Frank Picozzi

Warwick Mayor-Elect

I am first and foremost thankful for having a happy, healthy and loving family. I have been married to a wonderful woman named Kim for 42 years. Kim has given me two daughters, Jackie and Stephanie who are beautiful both physically and emotionally. I have four grandchildren, Tyler 18, Ben 5, and twins Tommy and Emily who are 4. My family is the most important thing in my life.

I’m also very grateful for having been elected to Warwick as Mayor. I’ve lived in Warwick since I was eight years old. I grew up here, raised my children here and my children are raising my grandchildren here and I’ll live here for the rest of my life. I love my city and it’s residents and I am deeply touched, honored and humbled that my fellow Warwick citizens have placed so much faith and trust in me, and I will never betray it.

Seth Magaziner

Rhode Island General Treasurer

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the thousands of Rhode Island frontline and essential workers who have put their own lives at risk to serve others. From health care workers to grocery and food service professionals, teachers, first responders, the Rhode Island National Guard, and our own Treasury employees among others, our state is blessed by the everyday people who have done their part to keep the state running in the face of this unprecedented global pandemic.

We’ll all get through this together, but we could not get through it without them. This Thanksgiving, all of my thanks goes to our brave frontline workers and their families.

Gary Dantzler

Black Lives Matter Rhode Island

I wish we could remove white supremacy in America and Treat every human being as a human being and loved the world and everything in it no matter what color a person is and also fear God we need to fear God still in America

Kristin MacRae

GoLocal Business Team

This Thanksgiving I’m thankful that me, my family, and our Shih Tzu, Gigi, are healthy, happy and have made the best of what’s been thrown at us this past year.

We are looking forward to celebrating the holidays and ringing in the new year.

John Goncalves

Providence City Councilman

This Holiday season, I'm thankful for our community, our resilience, and our ability to come together during these precarious times.

I want to thank Dr. Julia Carlson for her partnership in helping us mobilize over 120 volunteers for our Ward 1 Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative early on in the pandemic.

I want to thank Helene Miller, P3’s summer fellow from the Swearer Center at Brown, Eleanor Pereboom, and resident Carole Finger for their partnership in the pilot and successful launch of the first-ever 'Produce In The Parks' which made locally sourced fruits and vegetables available to our seniors and residents during the pandemic.

I want to thank our neighborhood association friends, be it Katherine Touafek and all of our friends from the Wayland Neighborhood Association, Victoria Boulis of The Wayland Square Merchants Association, Wendy Marcus, and Vin Bounnano from the Mile of History, FPNA, CHNA for their partnership.

I want to thank the families at Vartan Gregorian,  my alma-mater, and their PTO, and all the children and families of the Ward who showcased an unbelievable sense of resilience during in-school and distance learning and of course the Avenue Concept for their help.

And of course, my council colleagues, the amazing staff, our partners in City and State government, and of course, I'm thankful for the good health of our constituents, friends and, family, which we can't take for granted as this virus continues to affect our communities.

There's a laundry list of people to thank but ultimately I'm incredibly thankful and grateful for the kindness, collaboration, flexibility, resilience, and collective spirit of our community as we strive to eventually overcome this pandemic. We're in this together.
 

Lisa Ranglin

Rhode Island Black Business Association President

2020 has been a tough year. As I mourn the loss of my beautiful mom and hold on tight to the amazing memories of her love. I am thankful for my daughter Shanique who inspires me every day to be a better person. During this time of immense uncertainty due to COVID-19, I want to take a moment to thank our first responders and frontline workers on the battlefield fighting this pandemic on multiple fronts.

As I express my own gratitude for the gifts that have been afforded to me, I want to never forget and to continue to fight for those families who have been left out of resources and opportunities to achieve their fullest potential. Lastly, I’m thankful for the Biden/Harris victory.

Ray Rickman

Founder, Stages of Freedom

I am so grateful for my health and my family. Today is my birthday and I have passed my 70th year on earth and my 42nd year as a Rhode Islander. It now feels like becoming an adopted son of Providence was a good choice. This year using family zooms has brought me into a deeper relationship with my brother and sisters. 

Finding ways with Robb Dimmick to work almost every day on community projects for Stages of Freedom has brought us closed together.  In March a storm flew our entire roof off and Sparrow my wonderful little dog died and I realized that I am even more capable of rebounding than I thought. 

Every day I walk on College Hill or in Swan Point Cemetery. In my historic neighborhood, I now take the time to study a single house each day. At Swan Point I study the trees. I now know both the casual name and proper name of a hundred trees.  This spring the air was cleaner and the Moses Brown parents were not speeding down my street with their children in the back seat. We have more rabbits than ever before on College Hill and skunks and raccoons abound. Robb and I created a morning e-blast to educate people about Covid-19. What could be better in this year of the pandemic. I worked hard to get plantations out of our state name success. I am grateful to have a voice this year on GoLocal and elsewhere to continue my work as an adopted son of Providence.

Josh Fenton

CEO and Co-Founder GoLocal24

It has been a sobering year. We have seen the greatest challenge since our grandparents rose up to defeat fascism around the world. They were the greatest generation.

The speed at which our American ingenuity in global partnership rose to the occasion to develop vaccines to combat the virus has been inspiring.

We have much work and sacrifice daily to do to continue the battle, but I am firmly thankful for the spirit of our nation to be a beacon and a leader in the future to lead in compassion and creativity.

Dominick Ruggerio

Rhode Island Senate President

As always, I am thankful first and foremost for the love of family and friends. I am grateful for the health of my loved ones and for the modern technology that helped keep us connected during these socially distanced times. I am thankful for the countless Rhode Islanders working to get Rhode Island through this crisis, from first responders to health care professionals to supermarket workers, and for all who share a kind word to brighten a neighbor’s day.

On behalf of the Senate, I wish all Rhode Islanders a peaceful Thanksgiving and a joyous, happy and safe holiday season.”

Donald Grebien

Mayor of Pawtucket

With 2020’s Thanksgiving holiday season upon us, it is important to use these unprecedented times to be thankful for everything we have. Now more than ever, we must also take the time to reflect on how we can give back and help those in need. During these difficult times, I am fortunate to have such a loving family, my wife Laureen, daughter Alexa, and son Connor, for their unconditional love, support, and understanding.

I am grateful for all of Pawtucket’s residents, who continue to face the pandemic head on by taking the proper precautions to minimize the spread. I am confident that we will get through this together. I thank them for their commitment and continued support as we move our city forward.

John Crowe

GoLocal Sports Contributor

I am most thankful for my family and friends, especially my wife Laura who literally saved my life by getting me to a hospital when I suffered a stroke earlier this year.