Rhode Island Senate Open championed by late Sen. Ruggerio carries on for 5th year supporting Hasbro Children’s

Fifth annual golf tournament carries forward the charitable legacy of the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio

A Rhode Island Senate tradition championed by the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio has now generated more than $200,000 for Hasbro Children’s.

Senate leaders presented a $30,000 gift to Rhode Island’s only children’s hospital on Aug. 6, representing proceeds from the fifth annual Rhode Island Senate Open golf tournament.

“The Rhode Island Senate Open once again brought people together in support of an important cause, raising critical funds for our state’s children’s hospital,” Senate President Valarie J. Lawson said. “The Rhode Island Senate is proud to support the extraordinary care the hospital provides to children and families across Rhode Island and southern New England. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s tournament another success.”

Lawson was joined at the presentation by Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III, Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian and Senate Chief of Staff John E. Fleming Jr.

Members of Ruggerio’s family also attended, including his son, Charles Ruggerio, and his sister, Lisa Aceto—underscoring the tournament’s continued connection to the former Senate president’s legacy of supporting Rhode Island’s children and families.

Leaders from Brown University Health and Hasbro Children’s thanked the Senate and tournament supporters for their continued commitment to pediatric care.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Rhode Island Senate for this generous gift and for its continued commitment to Hasbro Children’s,” said Sarah Frost, president of Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s and chief of hospital operations for Brown University Health. “Support from our community helps us continue advancing care for children and families today while building a healthier future for generations to come.”

Since the Rhode Island Senate Open was launched in 2019, the tournament has contributed more than $200,000 to Hasbro Children’s.

“This generous donation makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families we serve,” said John Fernandez, president and CEO of Brown University Health. “We are thankful for the partnership of Rhode Island’s legislative leaders and for their continued support of our hospitals, our caregivers and the communities we serve.”

PHOTO ID (for group photo, top, courtesy of Brown University Health): From left: Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III; Charles Ruggerio, son of the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio; Sarah Frost, Chief, Brown University Health Hospital Operations, and President, Rhode Island Hospital; Dr. Sara Ford, Director, Pediatric Cardiology Division, Hasbro Children’s; President of the Senate Valarie J. Lawson; Senate Chief of Staff John E. Fleming, Jr.; Lisa Aceto, President Ruggerio’s sister; Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian; and David Balasco, Vice President, Government Relations, Brown University Health. 

About Hasbro Children’s

Hasbro Children’s in Providence, R.I., a part of Brown University Health, is the premier pediatric facility for clinical care, research and education for Rhode Island and surrounding southeastern New England. A private, not-for-profit institution, it is the pediatric division of Rhode Island Hospital, the principal teaching hospital of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Hasbro Children’s is designated as both a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center and a verified surgical quality partner by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).