BURRILLVILLE – A dinner on Monday, April 26 put on by the Burrillville Lions Club raised funding to support scholarships for at least three seniors graduating with the Burrillville High School Class of 2021.
The scholarship dinner, the first of its kind organized by the club, was held at Serio’s Pizzarama on Church Street.
The event was held in place of the club’s scholarship breakfast, which in past years took place annually at Burrillville Middle School. The event was cancelled in 2020, and changed this year to create a safe and efficient fundraiser amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns.
All money raised at the dinner will be used to provide college scholarships for qualifying Bronco graduates. The scholarships, which in recent years are typically $500 each, have been given out nearly every year since the club’s inception in 1947.
The dinner’s success came, in part, thanks to management and staff at the Pascoag restaurant. Serio’s owner Jim Ponte provided use of the facility, which is closed on Mondays, free of charge. It was business as usual for several restaurant staff members including Serio’s waitress Florence Stevens and her husband Lion Newt Stevens, who helps out with business’s catering and volunteer efforts.
Lion Scott Blanchette, who also fills in at the restaurant, donated supplies for the fundraiser. His daughter Meaghan Blanchette, another employee at Serio’s and member of the club, also worked at event, along with his wife Lion Brenda Blanchette.
Other members of the Lions handed out pasta dinners to hungry visitors, or helped with other aspects of the well-attended fundraiser.
The club, which has the simple mission, “we serve,” evaluates scholarship applicants, in part, on their record of community service. Burrillville seniors interested in applying should contact the high school guidance department for more information.
Editor’s note: Publisher Sandy Seoane is also a member of the Burrillville Lions Club.
