The
Knights of Corte Reais
give to the Community!
By Manuel Luciano da Silva, M. D.
The Knights of Corte Reais, a historical, cultural and social organization created in Bristol, RI, in October of 1964. This year, 2002, instead of giving a scholarship to one or two individuals we decided to give scholarships to many.
The Board of Directors decided to give $250:00 to the Official Portuguese School of Bristol and $250:00 to the Soup Kitchen or Bristol Good Neighbors. The objectives of the Knights of Corte Reais are: to promote goodwill, cultural and social exchanges amongst Portuguese and non-Portuguese speaking people in this community and in this State, and Nation and promote and aid general charitable causes and drives.
Here are two documents describing these two institutions.
The Portuguese Official School in Bristol. Letter from its President, Mr. Gilberto Costa:
October 22, 2002
Dear President of the Knights of the Corte Reais, Mr. Joseph O. Mello:
On behalf of the Escola Official de Bristol for which I am president of, I wish to thank you for your generous donation of two hundred and fifty dollars to our school.
You are one of the few supporters of our school. The Portuguese Government in the past helped us with some financial assistance but, with each change in government in Portugal the Portuguese schools started to get less and less and eventually it got to the point that for the past few years we got absolutely nothing. Our students until recently were using photocopies of pages from old reading books. Had it not been for the Camara Municipal da Lagoa in the Azores, through the efforts of its Vereador da Cultura, Mr. Roberto Medeiros, who recently sent us some up-to-date books, our students would be reading the same old material.
I would like to tell you a little about our school. Our school was founded in 1983 in Bristol, Rhode Island. The number of students each year has varied anywhere from 20 to 50 students. This school year we have close to 30 students. If it wasn’t for the teachers, who make close to nothing teaching, we couldn’t keep it open. They teach for. the love of teaching the Portuguese language. Our students learn to read and write Portuguese and also history, culture and geography. The school is open to any child age 8 to 14 and of any ethnicity. Classes are taught Thursdays and Fridays from 6 until 8 o’clock at Saint Elizabeth’s School, thanks to the generosity of our church. Two years ago we began to teach Portuguese Folklore dance to students, which is part of the extracurricular activities at the school. The students put on several shows during the year for their parents and friends.
In closing, I thank you again for your generosity and support.
Sincerely,
Gilberto G. Costa President
Escola Oficial Portuguesa de Bristol
Mrs. Virginia Davis, Gilberto Costa, Pres. And Joseph Mello, Pres. Of the Knights of Corte Reais
More than 21,000 meals per year!
28
October 2002
To
Mr. Mello
Here’s
our information: Thanks for your patience
Marie
NAME:
Bristol Good Neighbors (Soup Kitchen)
PRIMARY
FUNCTION:
To provide meals, clothing and groceries to those in need. We average 21,000+ meals/year and distribute over 11,500 grocery packages/vouchers.
The Soup Kitchen is in its 13th year of operation and the Food Pantry is entering its 9th year of operation under the aegis of Bristol Good Neighbors. We provide a light breakfast of coffee, juice, muffins, toast, etc. and a nutritious full lunch five (5) days each week.
We distribute groceries through the Food Pantry from 8:OOam-2:OOprn, 5 days/week and also distribute food vouchers for perishable food items such, as milk, dairy products, meats, etc. During the operation of the Soup Kitchen we also distribute clothing and small household items.
We are serving approximately 50 people each day. This group is made up largely of seniors living on fixed income. The majority of our volunteers are senior citizens who also are served lunch.
We continue to see noticeable increases during the last week of each month both in meals served and requests for groceries. At our holiday meals we have served as many as 90. We have seen a decrease in our individual contributions this past year and an increase in the number of individuals and families needing assistance.
Olga Botelho, Vice-Pres., Marie Bordim, Director, and Joseph Mello, Pres. of the Knights of Corte Reais.
December 30 2002