2nd Annual Holiday Toy Drive to benefit the families at Friends Way

Please join us in bringing joy to the children who have lost a family member during this holiday season

(Unwrapped Toys or gifts can be picked up by Maria King, RIFDA Immediate Past President 2025-2026, or dropped off at Nardolillo Funeral Home in Cranston or Narragansett.  Maria will also pick up gifts from any funeral home.)

Friends Way currently serves children from age 3-18.

RIFDA will present all of the gifts donated to Friends Way at their Holiday Party on December 13, 2025, from 12-2pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 111 West Shore Road, Warwick.

Here are the estimated numbers for our participants.

Ages 3-6: 16 boys, 16 girls
Ages 7-10: 28 boys, 16 girls
Ages 11-13; 20 boys, 21 girls
Ages 14-18: 17 boys, 20 girls

Some of the gender norms are hard to find neutral games/toys for, etc.  Please respond by December 5, 2025.

Questions? Contact Laurie Robinson, Executive Director, rifda1@aol.com or 401-523-5107

(left to right) Laurie Robinson, RIFDA Executive Director, Maria King, RIFDA Immediate Past President, Nicole Heywood, RIFDA President, Ryan Loiselle, Program Director of Friends Way, Sophia Baptiste, MEd, Program Supervisor of Friends Way, and Friends Way Volunteers shown with generous RIFDA donations from the Second Annual 2025 Toy Drive.

The next meeting of the RIFDA will take place on

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Trattoria Romana Restaurant
3 Wake Road, Lincoln, Rhode Island

and will be hosted by Maceroni Funeral Home & Cremation Services

We will begin with a social gathering featuring Hors D’oeuvres, compliments of Maceroni Funeral Home & Cremation Services, and a cash bar from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM. The meeting will begin at 6:45 pm.

Sirloin ala Romana $85 pp
Served with shiitake mushrooms sautéed in fresh lemon, garlic, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil

Salmon Florentine  $65.00
North Atlantic salmon served over sautéed spinach with a white wine sauce

Chicken Francese   $55.00
Boneless chicken breast sautéed with lemon, butter & capers

All entrée pricing includes Italian bread, choice of garden salad or pasta fagioli, seasonal vegetables, dessert, and RI sales/food tax and gratuity. If you have a special dietary restriction, please contact us prior to this meeting taking place. (1.50 CEUs). We have many important updates to discuss and, therefore, we will NOT have a guest speaker at this meeting, but the 1.50 CEUs will apply. You can register online or email us at rifda1@aol.com or call/text Laurie Robinson @ 401-523-5107.

• You may register online here
• OR by printing out this order form and mailing to
• Laurie Robinson, PO Box 1223, East Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818
• OR by faxing to (401) 885-7090
• OR by calling Laurie Robinson at (401) 523-5107

Kindly RSVP ASAP or by January 6, 2026 

If you make a reservation and are unable to attend, please contact Laurie Robinson so that we do not have to absorb this expense.

This year’s Annual Wreaths Across America State House Ceremony took take place on Monday, December 8, 2025, in the State Room, RI State House.

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The Wreaths Across America’s ceremony begins a week-long series of events designed to raise awareness and appreciation for the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans and their families.

The ceremony takes place in most of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. and have a particular focus on family during the holidays.

Volunteers conduct the State House ceremonies each year in their respective state capitals. Dignitaries and special guests are invited to speak in honor of our veterans and active military.

These wreath-laying ceremonies are nonpolitical.

Monday, November 10, 2025
Antonio’s Trattoria
1710 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI 02920

This event is hosted by Murphy Funeral Homes
Kindly RSVP by November 5, 2025

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We will begin with a social gathering featuring hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar from 6:00 pm to 6:45 p.m. The guest speaker presentation and dinner meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m. (1.50 CEUs). The Online payment option is currently not working. Please contact Laurie Robinson at 401-523-5107 or email her a rifda1@aol.com

Guest Speaker details to follow.

• Grilled New York Sirloin – 
  Sicilian Spice Rub  @ $72 pp
• Baked Scrod – 
  Baked with Seasoned Cracker Crumbs, Butter and White Wine  @ $55 pp
• Veal Parmigiana –  
  Breaded Cutlet with Mozzarella in a Light Marinara Sauce @ $55 pp
• Chicken Marsala –  
  Boneless Breast with Fresh Mushrooms and Marsala Wine Sauce @ $55 pp
  
• All entree pricing includes salad and dessert. If you have a special dietary restriction, please contact us by November 5, 2025. To pay by credit card, please contact Laurie Robinson at 401-523-5107 (text or call) or email her at rifda1@aol.com. Thank you!
• OR by printing out this order form and mailing to
• Laurie Robinson, PO Box 1223, East Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818
• OR by faxing to (401) 885-7090
• OR by calling Laurie Robinson at (401) 523-5107

If you make a reservation and are unable to attend, please contact Laurie Robinson so that we do not have to absorb this expense.