In less than a week, the newly formed YesWeCan-RI collected over 600 food items for three different human services organizations in honor of the Obama-Biden inspired National Day of Service. The group gathered Tuesday night (January 20) at Trinity Church’s Aldrich Hall in Scituate to commemorate Obama’s Inauguration and to celebrate the community’s rapid and generous response to the new president’s call to service.
Over 600 food items collected in first YesWeCan-RI project
David Goldsmith, one of the founding members, told the group that Obama, “Has a big job ahead of him, and he can’t do it alone.” If the members of the fledgling organization have anything to say about it, he won’t have to. The energy and enthusiasm with which the group has embraced its community service mission was evident, as group members shared their experiences watching and participating in the day’s Inaugural events.
Another founding member and Scituate resident Dr. Michael Fine attended the Inauguration in Washington, and flew back in time to share his experiences with the group Tuesday evening. Fine said the energy and optimism that emanated from the event helped him transcend any struggle with the cold and the crowds. “I didn’t even feel it,” he said of the frigid temperatures. “They reported there were about two million people there. My estimate is that there were three, four, even five million people there, and the energy in the crowds was indescribable.” He said, “People hugged one another, groups broke into chants, ‘Obama!’ or, ‘Yes We Can!’ It was incredible to be a part of it.” He noted that hearing Aretha Franklin sing the national anthem and watching Pete Seeger perform added to the magic of a day he won’t soon forget.
Fine raced home to share his experiences with a gathering that included newly elected State Representative Michael Marcello and Director of Public Works Allison Nugent. Nugent said she was thrilled to be part of an event that benefits her department and the people of Scituate. The gathering also included youngsters who listened as older members of the group reminisced about John F. Kennedy’s administration and the feelings of hope and optimism that are coming back to life with the election of Barack Obama. “I was 16 years old when JFK was elected, and 19 years old when he was killed,” one member told the group. “I can remember how the people of America came together with a sense of purpose and a feeling of hope when he was president, and how it just seemed to die when he did. Well, I feel like we have that back now. It’s been a long time in coming, but it’s back.”
Well, it’s certainly back among the members of YesWeCan-RI. The food items that were collected will benefit the Rhode Island Food Bank, the Trinity Church Food pantry, and other service groups. Buoyed by its success and the promise of greater things to come, the group will plan other benefits in the near future, and will encourage others to join them in their mission. To find out more about participating or becoming a member, visit www.YesWeCan-RI.org.
