THE PROVIDENCE CENTER HONORS PHILANTHROPISTS RICHARD & SANDRA OSTER AND RICK & CHERYL BREADY

PROVIDENCE, RI (October 18, 2005) – More than 400 people came out to honor philanthropists Richard and Sandra Oster and Rick and Cheryl Bready at The Providence Center’s “Circle of Stars Event,” held on Saturday, October 15 th at The Westin Providence. The event continues the tradition of recognizing and honoring people in the community who have been steadfast in supporting The Providence Center and enhancing the lives of people struggling with mental illness and addiction.

The honorees were joined by Governor and Mrs. Donald L. Carcieri, United States Congressmen Patrick J. Kennedy and James Langevin, Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, Secretary of State Matt Brown, and former Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse.

The proceeds of the event, which raised $358,305 and netted $316,407, will benefit the Charles E. Maynard Fund for the Future, an endowment fund that will help The Center to continue to develop innovative mental health and addiction treatment services for adults, adolescents and children. Since the commencement of the endowment campaign in the fall of 2003, The Center has raised $1,017,407. Dale K. Klatzker, president/CEO of The Providence Center highlighted the need for philanthropic giving to mental health and addiction organizations. “We instill hope in the lives of people who feel that they are invisible, abnormal, not valuable to society. At The Providence Center, we change lives…we save lives.”

The event, emceed by Mark Weiner, was highlighted by a “VIP” reception followed by a dinner, silent auction, tributes and awards ceremony. In describing the Osters and Breadys, Mayor Cicilline noted, “Their generosity has been so extraordinary. They have touched thousands and thousands of people. They have set a standard for the state.”

The Circle of Stars award was presented to Richard and Sandra Oster by their daughter Allison Oster Dessel. Of her parents she said, “My parents are both amazing people. My father has a charm and an aura that make you want to be in his presence. He has that ‘thing,’ that indefinable quality that draws you in and makes you want to listen to hear what he has to say… and I know this is hard to believe, but my mother is more beautiful inside than out. She is a warm, loving and insanely funny person…My parents have always taught us it is better to give than receive.” She went on to describe the numerous efforts of both her parents in providing for people in need. “My parents have always told us that we didn’t just get here, many people have worked extremely hard to give us all that we have today. And with that comes great responsibility, a moral obligation as a member of the human race to give to those in need. We are all experiencing this life together.”

Barrett Bready presented his father and stepmother, Rick and Cheryl Bready, with their Circle of Stars award stating that, “Education is one of my father’s favorite priorities. It takes a rare individual to not only assure that his family had access to education, but also, so too, will future generations to come. Through his generous giving, he has assured for many access to grade school, high school, college and graduate school. What my father has done for education, Cheryl has done for the arts. Cheryl knows first-hand the power that art has in one’s life. Cheryl brings a flair for style to everything she does, making life for those around her more magical. I am very proud of both of them.”

All four of the evening’s honorees praised the vital work of The Providence Center. Sandra Oster stated, “We are not here to honor ourselves, but to recognize and support the ideals of The Providence Center, and to make the community aware of their extraordinary efforts to help the many people they serve. Rick Bready reiterated, “This celebration is not about the Breadys and the Osters, it is about celebrating the incredible work at The Providence Center. The real Circle of Stars is their staff.”

The Providence Center is a community-based, outpatient behavioral health organization, annually serving over 9,000 adults, children, and adolescents who struggle with mental illness, addiction and emotional problems. Since its establishment in 1969, The Providence Center has been part of Rhode Island ’s exemplary behavioral health care system, offering a comprehensive array of treatment and rehabilitation services. For more information call 401-276-4020.