The Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation has awarded $27,000 for worthy individuals and programs that support character development including youth sports organizations and college scholarships. Grants are currently being disbursed and will fund programs throughout the year.

“Everyone who knew Jim knew of his love for good sportsmanship and the joy of healthy competition as functions of important character-building, and we are thrilled to award these grants to our Cranston sports community in his memory,” stated Lisa Pagano, president of the foundation. “We have been so blessed to have such generous community support honoring Jim’s legacy over the past few years. It is truly gratifying to join together with friends and family each year and give back to the organizations he loved, and recognize deserving seniors on their way to college.”

The foundation has granted CLCF Football & Cheerleading $2,500 for hardship scholarships and new safety helmets. CLCF GALS (Girls Athletic League for Sport) Softball Program received $5,000 on their league’s Opening Day, which will be used towards equipment such as new pitching machines, batting T’s, home plates, pitching rubbers, bases and a Sliderite Schutt for teaching proper slide technique. Another $5,000 was awarded to Cranston Western Little League towards the installation of a new lighting system at Santamaria Field, adjacent to the premier Michael P. Varrato Field which already has a lighting system. This will increase the number of games and practices during the baseball season. Additionally, earmarked for disbursement are two grants for programs currently in development, a Cranston West Freshman Basketball Program ($5,000) and the YMCA Flag Football Program ($2,500).

Again this year, the foundation awarded five college scholarships to graduating Cranston seniors at CHSW, CHSE, and the NEL/CPS schools. This year’s recipients, each receiving $1,500, include David Cushman, Noah James, Thea Vargas, Gabrielle Johnson, and Bryanna Melo.

The fifth annual Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation Charity Golf Event will be held on Aug. 8 at the Alpine Country Club, and is sponsored by Sports Illustrated Golf Magazine, Cranston Fire Fighters, and the Cranston Herald. Registration and sponsorship information can be found on the website at jimpaganofoundation.com.