2nd Annual Walk to Support the Samantha Lynn O'Gara Foundation

I recently was accepted as a Branch Council member for my local YMCA, West Bay. One of the board council members I've had the pleasure of meeting is Noreen Bourassa. She is the branch manager at Coventry Credit Union on Post Rd here in North Kingstown and serves on several other local committees that support positive community opportunities. Noreen is also the grandmother of the late Samantha O'Gara.

Paula Jacobsen, District Executive Director of the West Bay and Kent YMCA, mentioned the Samantha Lynn O'Gara Walk via email stating "Please join me and consider participating and/or supporting Noreen’s annual walk for the Samantha Lynn O’Gara Foundation. Helping to keep her grand-daughter’s dreams alive. One family, one Y- we’re all stronger together when we support one another!"

Noreen was kind enough to further Paula's comments with this short message about what the foundation means to her family and the community in which Samantha thrived in.

"Last year we raised money ( $ 5,000.00) and are in the process of building a tree house in her memory at the impossible dream in Warwick. Samantha went to Tollgate High School and would volunteer at the impossible Dream. I am hoping the tree house is completed by this year’s walk. The proceeds from this walk will go toward scholarships to students from Tollgate that are taking early childhood education. ( that is what Samantha was studying in Florida). The walk starts from the Coventry High School parking lot and goes into Wood Estates. It is not a very long walk. There are no hills and it is mostly flat. The foundation was set up to help children. It is all about helping children in any way we can.

If there is anything in particular you would like to know please feel free to contact me, my work phone is 392 2427. My family appreciates all of the great people ( like yourself ) who have offered to help to make Samantha’s name stay alive and her love for children a reality."

-Noreen A. Bourassa