Annual Meeting and Keeper of the Dream


Keeper of the Dream & Annual Meeting Monday, January 19, 2026

This year, the celebration will be held on MLK Day. We are proud to bestow The Keeper of the Dream awards to those who most embody the ideals of Dr. King through their commitment and contributions to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.

Monday, January 19, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

MLK Community Center
20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd.
Newport RI 02840

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

                                                                                  Please RSVP by January 12, 2026 

KOTD 2025 NEW DATE invitation english
KOTD NEW DATE invitation spanish
Congratulations to our 2025 Honorees:
Keeper: Jerry Kirby
Partner: Citizens Bank – Washington Square Branch

Content of Character: Ginny Gilman

Check out these photos from last year’s event!

PRIOR  HONOREES:

2024

Keepers: Dwight and Sue Sipprelle

Partner: Herkworks Architecture

Content of Character: Colleen Walsh and Sarah Maher

2023

Keepers: Bob and Veronique Gerber

Partner: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

Content of Character: Kate Whitney Lucey

2022

Keeper: Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Partner: BedJet LLC and the Aramli Foundation

Volunteers: Knights of Columbus, Middletown/ Newport Council #256

2021

Keeper: Jane Mead Timken

Partner: Blount Fine Foods

Volunteers: Lois and Bob Zawrotny
2020

Keeper: Nancy and Doug Horsey

Partner: Jamestown Community Farm

Volunteer: Betsy Blair and Jim Van Winkle

2019

Keeper: The Point Association of Newport

Partner: BankNewport

Volunteer: Gary Klein

2018

Keeper: Bazarsky Family Foundation

Partner: Middletown Rotary Club

Volunteer: Stephen and Zulekha Ludwig

2017

Keeper: Walter and Eileen Jachna 

Partner: Newport Harbor Corporation

Volunteer: Lisa McWilliams

2016

Keeper: Rena DiMuccio 

Partner: The Waters Edge Flowers

Volunteer: George W. Emerson

 
2015

Keeper: David and Donna Goodrich

Partner: Aquidneck Island 

Stop & Shop Supermarkets

Volunteer: Farouk and Susan Niazy

2014

Keeper: Dr. Susan Walker

Partner: Home Depot Store #4287, Middletown, Rhode Island

Volunteer: Joann Carlson and Peggy Clay
2013

Keeper: David D. Schuller

Partner: Gilbane Building Company

Volunteer: Donald G. Pfeiffer

2012

Keeper: Liz and Emlen Drayton

Partner: Atlantic Beach Club & Pavilion

Volunteer: Liz and Bob Mastin

2010

Keeper: Noreen Stonor Drexel

Volunteer: Rosalind Vaz MacLean

2009

Keeper: The Wilcox Family Foundation

Volunteer: Steven Turilli

2008

Keeper: William and Alison Vareika

Volunteer: George Steele

2007

Keeper: Ronald and Lillian Dick

Volunteer: David and Donna Goodrich

2006

Keeper: Suzette D. Schochet

2005

Keeper: Richard Sardella

*No awards were bestowed in 2011

For more information, please contact:

Alyson Novick, Director of Development
(401) 846-4828 | [email protected]