The Community College of Rhode Island has launched its annual Season of Giving, bringing together students, faculty, and staff across the state to support local community partners and neighbors in need ahead of the holidays. 

Running from Oct. 19 through Dec. 4, the campaign connects CCRI’s campuses in Warwick, Lincoln, Providence, and Newport with organizations tackling critical issues across Rhode Island, from food insecurity to holiday assistance for families. 

“Season of Giving is one of the most meaningful initiatives we have the privilege of being engaged in,” said Kaitlyn Poland, Co-Chair of CCRI’s Season of Giving Committee. “It brings together students, faculty, staff, and our broader community around a shared purpose: supporting others during a time of year when many families face additional challenges. Not only is it an opportunity to give back, but it's also an opportunity to engage with each other and come together as one CCRI. It's inspiring to see our CCRI community come together to make an impact in Rhode Island beyond the classroom.”  

This year’s effort builds on the significant reach of last year's campaign. During the 2025 Season of Giving, the college collected 885 pounds of food for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank across all four campuses and partnered with the U.S. Marines and The Salvation Army to distribute toys to nearly 600 families.  

“Building on the momentum from last year, we are once again partnering with the Marines for our second annual Toys for Tots distribution week,” said Erin McCarthy Todisco, who co-chairs the Season of Giving Committee alongside Poland. "In the spirit of further collaboration, they will also be joining us for our third annual Good Night Lights event at Hasbro. We are especially excited for a new event this year to honor our beloved Golden Knight, CeCe, with a collection to benefit the Hotel for Homeless Dogs.”  

To spark some friendly competition around the new pet supply drive, the committee has also introduced a "Get CeCe’d" challenge to encourage giving across all four campuses. 

“Someone can secretly ‘CeCe’ a colleague by placing a ‘Get CeCe’d’ flyer in their workspace,” Todisco explained. “The recipient then donates to the Season of Giving campaign, posts CeCe in their workspace, and pays it forward by ‘CeCe-ing’ someone else. It's a lighthearted way to spread joy while supporting a great cause, and we can't wait to see CeCe popping up across campus.”  

Through Dec. 4, students, faculty, staff, and community members can drop off items at the main entrance security desks at any CCRI campus for four collection drives: 

• Toys for Tots: CCRI is collecting new, unwrapped toys, books, and games to brighten the holidays for Rhode Island children. Toy distribution will take place Dec. 14–18 at the Knight Campus in Warwick. 

• Rhode Island Community Food Bank: To help combat food insecurity across the state, the college is collecting nonperishable items (no glass containers). Priority needs include canned soups and stews, pasta, macaroni and cheese, rice, beans, lentils, canned meats and fish, canned fruits and vegetables, tomato products, nut and seed butters, sauces, spices, and condiments. 

• Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Household & Hygiene Drive: Supporting families and individuals in the Newport area, this drive focuses on essential personal care and household goods, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, feminine products, laundry detergent, and dish soap. 

• The Hotel for Homeless Dogs Pet Supply Drive: Held in honor of CeCe, CCRI’s comfort dog, this collection gathers supplies for dogs awaiting adoption. Priority items include dog food, treats, collars, beds, blankets, metal crates, and cleaning supplies such as Mr. Clean floor cleaner and OdoBan. 

Alongside the collection drives, CCRI will host a Blood Drive on Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both the Knight Campus in Warwick and the Flanagan Campus in Lincoln. 

The campaign will wrap up on Wednesday, Dec. 2, with CCRI’s participation in the third annual Good Night Lights at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Joined this year by the U.S. Marines, members of the CCRI community will gather at 8 p.m. at One Blackstone St. (668 Eddy St.) in Providence—with lights signaling at 8:30 p.m.—to shine flashlights and headlights toward the hospital as a message of encouragement for young patients and their families.  

Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to take part in any of the initiatives. For more details on how to donate, volunteer, or request assistance through Toys for Tots, visit ccri.edu/seasonofgiving.