Giving Thanks to Our Donors and Volunteers

On November 26, two days before families across the country gather for Thanksgiving, WSBE Rhode Island PBS gathered with more than 400 other non-profit organizations and guests across the state to thank outstanding donors and volunteers. As part of National Philanthropy Day, Rhode Island PBS honored Gencorp Insurance Group, and Tia and Ken Scigulinsky for their philanthropy and volunteer service to Rhode Island PBS and its mission.

Rhode Island’s National Philanthropy Day event, held this year at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, has been sponsored by the Rhode Island Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 1987 to honor corporations, small businesses, groups, and individuals who have made a real difference in the lives of men, women, and children in Rhode Island and Southeastern New England.

"We are happy to publicly recognize the dedication and fine work of two of our most generous supporters.  What better time of year to express our gratitude than Thanksgiving?" said David W. Piccerelli, president of WSBE Rhode Island PBS. "On behalf of all the Rhode Island PBS families who benefit from the time and money generously donated by the Padula and Scigulinsky families, thank you."

Since 2005, Gencorp Insurance Group has underwritten business and news programming on Rhode Island PBS. Gencorp has also been a major sponsor of the station’s annual fundraising event, An Evening Uncorked! Each year, the financial and

(l-r) Rhode Island PBS President David Piccerelli with Chad
Bjorklund, Joe Padula, Anne Nicoll, and Bob Padula of Gencorp.

personal support from Gencorp’s Padula family has significantly contributed to the event’s success, and to advancement of Rhode Island PBS’s mission.

Gencorp Insurance Group is a regional, multi-faceted financial services agency serving individuals, business owners, and insurance professionals. Gencorp is headquartered in East Greenwich, with offices in Wakefield and Middletown, RI, and Mansfield, MA. Gencorp's philanthropic commitment to the community is fulfilled through the Gencorp Insurance Charitable Foundation. Among their charitable priorities, Gencorp supports initiatives that offer quality education to children of financially disadvantaged families.  Gencorp’s support of Rhode Island PBS helps provide free educational content over the air as well as online through PBS LearningMedia.

Ken and Tia Scigulinsky of Portsmouth, RI, are true champions of Rhode Island PBS’s mission to engage viewers of all ages through creative educational content development and delivery. Ken retired from the navy in 1979 then worked as a defense contractor for 20 years. He currently volunteers with Junior Achievement, teaching business to fifth graders, and is a mentor at Thompson Middle School. Tia taught history at Rogers High School in Newport, retiring as the department head in 2005. With a deep belief in the value of providing accessible learning resources to all, the Scigulinskys have supported Rhode Island PBS financially and personally for more than a decade. 

Ken and Tia Scigulinsky

"Tia and Ken embrace our organization with unparalleled generosity, warmth and dedication," said Molly Garrison, director of development and external affairs at Rhode Island PBS. "At Rhode Island PBS, we work to educate, inform, enrich, inspire, and entertain our viewers. If you spend an afternoon with Ken and Tia, you learn that they work to do these very things in their daily life," she said.

Tia Scigulinsky served consecutive terms as a member of the Rhode Island Public Telecommunications Authority, the station’s former governing body. Mrs. Scigulinsky currently sits on the Rhode Island PBS Foundation Board of Directors, serving as Board Secretary. She also serves on a number of education-related boards and committees in the community.

During the National Philanthropy Day event, recognition is given to more than 100 Partners in Philanthropy by non-profit organizations who want to honor outstanding volunteers and donors.  Rhode Island PBS is a 2013 media sponsor of the event.