March 29, 2024

EPHS ‘Project Light’ Shines on Volunteers. John Carnevale at it again.

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On Friday January 22nd, the EP Reporter caught up with East Providence High graduate and Townie volunteer John Carnevale, as he gave us a working tour of another project benefitting the EP community. Carnevale was supervising the installation of tens of thousands of dollars worth of lighting and other improvements to the high school girls’ softball field and tennis courts. EPHS softball coach and guidance counselor Rob Traverse, along with his players and other volunteers, had previously raised funds to renovate the tired, weed-strewn practice softball field behind the high school. In so doing, the team no longer has to travel to Pierce Field for their home games. The home field at the high school saves money and logistics in travelling to both home and away games. The refurbished field includes new infield mix, grass and fencing as well as two permanent dugouts. During Friday's tour, Coach Traverse stopped by and was amazed at the Carnevale project. "This project goes out to hardworking Lady Townies of the East Providence High School who have represented our city with class time and time again!," writes Carnevale in a statement to the community. "Thank you ladies for your sincere dedication to your schoolwork and for continuing to be positive role models to your peers. I hope this huge volunteer effort serves as small testament to your leadership, hard work, and limitless potential in the future! Much love!," as he'll often say when talking about his beloved East Providence. Carnevale is a 2000 graduate of the high school where he excelled in academics and athletics. Carnevale went on to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he received a degree in engineering. After working for Raytheon on worldwide projects based out of San Diego, Carnevale has taken a work hiatus and spends much of his time - and own money - on helping his community and other projects around the world. Playgrounds, school science labs, gymnasiums and more have all benefitted from Carnevale and his army of volunteers and donors.

The lighting project has been going on fairly quietly as Carnevale is quick to deflect accolades and praise from fellow Townies. "We must remember, each and every one of us can, and must play a role in rebuilding our communities; so please believe in yourself, your thoughts and vision, and go out and be confident in being a creator and a doer," Carnevale says in his now famous, almost evangelical vernacular. "Our great community of East Providence has had its' ups and downs, but we only want to look ahead, at the positive. We're real Townies and we can do anything together," he said.

Carnevale's focus is much beyond the borders of East Providence, having taken his volunteerism and donations across the world. But he always comes back to EP and Rhode Island. "Rhody Family, over the past few months we have been working hard behind the scenes on numerous projects to continue empowering our state's most critical resource, our beloved students. Embedded deep in every volunteer effort this team embarks on is a real emphasis on the importance of investing in our school systems and our wonderful students, knowing well that this is the single, most critical component in building better communities for us all. Our communities need us all, and most importantly it needs us UNITED."

The Carnevale effort to renovate the tennis and softball area is worth tens of thousands of dollars to the city. On Friday there was big equipment behind the high school that came from a Massachusetts company, Island Lighting, that has a relationship with Carnevale. "I don't think this type of equipment would be readily available to us locally, and we have it all here for free," said the engineer as he worked with the equipment operators to start setting massive light poles.

"PROJECT LIGHT aims to complete the full installation of roughly $150,000 in donated Sports Lighting which we are now installing at the Ladies Softball Field at East Providence High School. Completion of Project Light will allow Lady Softballers across the state to continue their training into the night, build a more dynamic facility resource, and set the stage for incredible tournaments, fundraisers, and instructional camps to come!," he said.

And the project is not just your weekend PTA picnic. Carnevale estimates that the donated vehicles and equipment used on this project are worth about a quarter million dollars. "This project included detailed engineering, material fabrication, management, and two of the most important components in completing each and every one of our projects, volunteerism and unity. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all involved, in particularly Rob Walker and the EP Highway Team, the talented Kevin Croke on the city side, Head Softball Coach Rob Traverse and the amazing donation of millions of dollars in heavy machinery by the truly unselfish team at Island Lighting of Norfolk, Mass!"

"Let's Stand Tall for What's Right, and Stand Together. The first part of this project involves the procurement of the perimeter lighting design layout, fabrication of 7000 - 8000 lb pre-cast concrete lighting foundations, and the drilling of seven 30" x 10' holes for installation. Volunteerism through phase 1 has already saved the School Department roughly $30,000! Phase 2 of this product includes erecting the lighting structures themselves," said the young Townie engineer.

"I stand in amazement in what John has done for our community. He values education above all else and truly supports our students," said Rob Traverse. "The equipment here is unbelievable as is John," said city engineer Kevin Croke. Croke is also the high school head hockey coach. There will be "More on the True Power of UNITY...," promises John Carnevale as he envisions the future of his field of dreams behind his beloved high school.

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