volunteering

Volunteers, interns, and staff staying dry at our Earth Month Cleanup at the WaterFire Arts Center. Photograph by Laura Duclos.

WaterFire Providence’s Earth Month Cleanups on Providence’s Rivers and In the Valley Neighborhood Are a Huge Success

by Kellie Martin
April 25, 2024April 25, 2024
3 min read

On Saturday, April 20th WaterFire Providence hosted 2 two Earth Month clean-up initiatives. Over 60 amazing volunteers came out to the WaterFire Arts Center and downtown to clean up the Valley Neighborhood and to remove litter and debris from the Providence River. On Valley Street, 30 volunteers split up into… Read More »WaterFire Providence’s Earth Month Cleanups on Providence’s Rivers and In the Valley Neighborhood Are a Huge Success

Fire-tenders add wood to a brazier at WaterFire. Photograph by Tom Backman.

WaterFire Impact Stories: Charlie Stone

by Charlie Stone
December 19, 2023December 19, 2023
4 min read

When I volunteered at WaterFire for the first time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. In early 2015 I read a Facebook post that WaterFire was looking for volunteers, and I thought “Hmm…that sounds interesting!” I had been looking for volunteer opportunities, and I had experienced… Read More »WaterFire Impact Stories: Charlie Stone

Announcing A Light In Every Town

by Tim Blankenship
October 3, 2023October 4, 2023
6 min read

A Campaign to Have a Volunteer Representative from all 39 Cities and Towns in Rhode Island WaterFire Providence is announcing A Light In Every Town, a campaign to connect communities across Rhode Island through the power of volunteerism. Presently, WaterFire boasts volunteers hailing from 35 out of Rhode Island’s 39… Read More »Announcing A Light In Every Town

Volunteer Spotlight: Fern Rouleau

by Ryan Devlin
October 16, 2017October 18, 2017
4 min read

If you’ve ever managed to snag a position on the basin, It’s likely you’ve seen the work of Captain Fern Rouleau, a staple of the WaterFire Volunteers who’s been with us since 1996. Since the very beginning, Fern was attracted to the event. Driving her own boat, Fern naturally gravitated… Read More »Volunteer Spotlight: Fern Rouleau

Volunteer Spotlight: Josh Jefferis

by Geoffrey Dion
September 12, 2016September 12, 2016
7 min read

One largely unknown fact about WaterFire: everything we use for the event, except for the braziers, is set up in the morning before most people have risen, and taken down after the final visitors leave. Sometimes it takes until 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning before the last WaterFire truck… Read More »Volunteer Spotlight: Josh Jefferis

Volunteer Spotlight: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

by C.J. Opperthauser
February 9, 2016
4 min read

WaterFire would be nothing without its volunteers, and within that enormous group of hard-working Rhode Islanders are those representing their place of employment. Along with student groups, families, and many dedicated individuals, corporate volunteers help bring the magic to the city of Providence. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode… Read More »Volunteer Spotlight: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

Volunteer Spotlight: Joe and Anne DeFaria

by C.J. Opperthauser
October 22, 2015October 22, 2015
4 min read

When Joe and Anne DeFaria first visited WaterFire, they mostly stayed at the basin and watched the fires burn against the skyline backdrop. They didn’t really venture very far down the river. Now, years later, they are the volunteers who know the ins and outs of Starry Starry Night –… Read More »Volunteer Spotlight: Joe and Anne DeFaria

Volunteer Spotlight: Mark Karas

by C.J. Opperthauser
July 9, 2015July 22, 2015
5 min read

Monday through Friday, Mark Karas helps people plan their retirement through Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. He wears a tie, shined shoes, and glasses. His profession demands the ability to truly understand people, to connect with their needs while representing large financial institutions in the process. [sc name=photo-caption caption=”Photo… Read More »Volunteer Spotlight: Mark Karas

2015 Summer Intern Update

by Chrissy Casavant
July 7, 2015October 10, 2017
8 min read

The WaterFire internship program is in full swing for the summer 2015 season. With positions available in thirteen different areas, this unique program offers an in depth look at a nonprofit organization. Each internship position varies in responsibilities, but each offers a variety of experiences. Here’s what this summer’s interns… Read More »2015 Summer Intern Update

Volunteer Spotlight: John Nickerson

by Laura Duclos
February 10, 2015
3 min read

Fire Feeding, photo by John Nickerson Can you picture those friendly people answering questions, getting folks to smile and enjoy their WaterFire visit? John Nickerson is without a doubt one of those people. As a Rhode Islander John was always a frequent WaterFire visitor and even volunteered on several occasions… Read More »Volunteer Spotlight: John Nickerson