Community Angels Assembles 800 Easter Baskets for Rhode Island Families

Community Angels, a Rhode Island nonprofit, has once again assembled hundreds of Easter baskets for families in need.

According to an NBC 10 NEWS WJAR report, this year, volunteers assembled approximately 800 baskets in three days using an assembly-line approach, driven by a core group of 12 year-round volunteers.

“This is an organization that my late mom, Laura Rodriguez, started, and it's made up of all of her friends from the community, elected officials, corporations, and foundations," said Community Angels President Carol Aguasvivas in a statement shared with NBC 10. “The fact we're able to continue my mother's work, the fact that all of her friends and volunteers and sponsors have been with us most for over 17 years, it makes us very proud and happy to be able to do this work.”

Each year, the baskets include toys, trinkets, and candy for children, along with hygiene and personal care items for teens and adults. The baskets are distributed at open, grab-and-go events for communities.

Donations have grown from about 50 baskets 17 years ago to more than 1,000 baskets annually, according to Aguasvivas.

This year's event will be held on Friday, April 3, at Mi Sueno Restaurant, 1070 Broad St., Providence. The Easter bunny will be in attendance to take pictures. A child must be present with family members to receive a basket.

For Rosa De Castillo, who was the beneficiary of Easter baskets from the organization in the past, volunteering is a way to pay it forward for others.

“For me, it was the sense of community being able to bring some happiness in times of need," said De Castillo in a statement shared with NBC 10. “It's not just about packing and making somebody else's happiness but also our own.”