Wiley family members toast the memory of George Alvin Wiley, June 18th 2008

“Thank you Henry Shelton and the George Wiley Center for advancing George’s vision of welfare rights, economic justice and eliminating childhood poverty. For the family, the George Wiley Center keeps the memory of George alive: We are inspired by it. For all these 35 years, you have kept the fire burning, and it continues to burn with hope for the possibility of change in November 2008.”
- Shirley Green Wiley, George's sister.

Governor Bruce Sundlun, Milt Stanzler and the Honorable Alton W. Wiley Sr.

Thanks to our guests of honor: Former Superior Court Judge W. Alton Wiley Sr. and Mary Lynn and Nick Kotz, authors of A Passion for Equality:  George Wiley and the Movement.

Thank you for your generosity, for traveling to Rhode Island, spending time with us to honor George Wiley and supporting us through this event as we carry on the legacy of George Wiley.

Biographer Mary Lynn Kotz addresses those gathered at Local 121 in Providence to celebrate the life of George Alvin Wiley.

The Wiley Center would like to thank the sponsors of this celebration:
BankRI, Burton Boltuch, Esq., John A. Glasson, Esq., Local 121, Donna Benoit & Robert McConnell, MetLife Auto & Home, Karen and Robert Morrow, Terry MacFadyen and Jean Rosiello, Mary and Michael Schwartz Fund at The Rhode Island Foundation, Susan Ross and Donald Tufts, Committee to Re-Elect U. S. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Rev. Donald W. Whipple, Whole Foods Market at University Heights and Shirley Green Wiley.

Wiley Center Board Members, Richard Walton, also the evening's emcee, Betsy Florin, Board President and Alice Gross share a moment.

Also many thanks are due to…
Senator Joshua Miller, our host, for his gracious donation of the Speakeasy at Local 121 for this reception.
Donald Tufts for his inspiration and urging to hold this event.
Alton J. Wiley, Jr., Esq. for contacting the Wiley Family members.
MetLife Auto & Home, for printing our invitations.
Donna Schmader, for volunteering her time selecting, scanning and editing photos for the night’s slide show.
Alice Gross, Wiley Center Board member, for her role in bringing the legacy of George Alvin Wiley to the forefront of Rhode Island’s rich heritage.
Betsy Florin, Wiley Center Board President and Event Committee Chair, for her tireless work and artistry on the invitations.
And finally, the hundreds of George Wiley Center Members working with a “passion for equality” in our RI Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Poverty.

Henry Shelton, Coordinator of the George Wiley Center shares a laugh.

“I am not at all convinced that white, comfortable, affluent, Middle-class Americans are going to move over and share their wealth and resources with the people who have none.

But I do have faith that if the people who have problems can organize, can exert their political muscle, they can have a chance to have their voices and their weight felt in the political processes of this country — And there is hope!”
As cited in A Passion for Equality by Nick & Mary Lynn Kotz.

Silent Auction Fundraiser — October 24th, 2007 — A Big Success

Phil Edmonds pleases the crowd October 24, 2007 at Rhode Island Community Food Bank which hosted our 2007 Silent Auction Fundraiser.

What Happens When:

1. Three progressive agencies band together to put on a low-cost fundraiser; and
2. Fifty individuals and small businesses donate artisan crafts, theatre tickets, and more; and
3. One hundred people shop consciously as they bid on gifts at a charitable auction; and
4. Two hundred businesses and individuals, concerned about cold and hunger, sponsor an event?

Success happens!

Guests prepare to bid on gifts and art.
Photos by Richard Walton.

Hosted at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank on October 24, 2007 and catered by Amos House’s “More Than a Meal”, George Wiley Center volunteers and supporters gathered for a good time while helping to replenish the community organizing agency's coffers after a tough financial year due, in great part, to a devastating fire.

We thank you all for contributing to our Silent Auction Fundraiser, which netted approximately $35,000, up from about $26,000 last year.

Special thanks to our Sponsors this year, MetLife Auto & Home, Citizen's Bank, and Motley, Rice for their generosity.

Likewise, we also extend our gratitude to our Supporters for this event, Working Rhode Island and Hasbro.

We can not also forget to thank our Major Donors, Loyal Sustainers, Honorary Committee and all the many others who purchased tickets, sent donations, attended the event and bid on the items.

Keep us in mind for next year!

Members Protest at the PUC — May 1, 2008

Pauline Perkins Moyé and A. Johnny outside PUC Hearing

Pauline Perkins Moyé & MET student A. Johnny, members of our RI Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Poverty, Newport Chapter, joined over 100 people outside the Public Utilities Commission office in Warwick.

Eighty-seven individuals exercised their right to a hearing that day before the Commission because May 1st marked the end of the two-week extension we won on the lifting of the Winter Moratorium on utilty shut-offs for proetected customers.

By initiating the hearing process, a pending utility shut-off is temporarily stopped while customers press the Divison of Public Utilities to set-up a truly affordable payment plan with National Grid!