News

Local business leaders to rappel 12-story building to raise money for providence community library

COVENTRY, RI (September 16, 2021) – Believing that books and knowledge can help a community climb to great heights, two members of a locally owned family business will be raising money for Providence Community Library by rappelling down a building in downtown Providence.

Ryan and Evan Finnegan are taking part in Towering Stories on Saturday, September 25, 2021. During the event, participants who’ve raised at least $800 each will rappel down the 12-story Regency Plaza in downtown Providence. The Finnegan family owns Finetco - the parent company of four lumber yards in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

“Providence Community Library provides the people of Providence with free library resources and learning services. The funds that we raise will hopefully take it to a new level by helping the library pay for books, computers, innovative programming, and many other improvements that are needed,” Evan Finnegan said. “I enjoy helping others who are in need and this was an opportunity that Ryan and I immediately jumped in on. Giving back is very fulfilling and seeing the impact we can have on other people’s lives for the better is what it is all about.”

Supporting events like Towering Stories is part of a long tradition of giving back for Finetco and the Finnegan family. In addition to personal causes, the Finetco Charitable Foundation has supported dozens of charities over the years, including A Wish Come True Foundation, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Special Olympics, Operation Stand Down, Providence Animal Rescue League, and various youth athletic leagues, just to name a few.

“Growing up, being part of our community and giving back has been very important to us and our family and we are very fortunate to be able to help out with different charities,” said Ryan Finnegan, who - along with his brother - are board members for A Wish Come True. “In fact, we held our 14th annual charitable golf tournament Monday, September 13th and all of the money raised will be donated to the many charities the Finetco Charitable Foundation supports.”

To donate to Towering Stories, go to either Ryan’s or Evan’s page.

Coventry Lumber and Every Free Throw Counts Benefits Hope Hospice and Palliative Care Rhode Island

Feb 4, 2020 - On Wednesday, February 5th Coventry Lumber will present Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Rhode Island, the most respected and experienced Hospice in the state, a check for $5000 during the game against Creighton. This donation is made as a result of the number of free throws that were made by the Providence Friars during home games at the Dunkin Donuts Center.

Recently Bill Finnegan, President and CEO of Coventry Lumber, part of the Finetco family of lumberyards explained, "I am proud to once again sponsor the Providence Friars Men and Women's Basketball Teams for the 2019 – 2020 season. Each game brings an opportunity with the 'Every Free Throw Counts' initiative to benefit Hope Hospice and Palliative Care Rhode Island, an organization that provides care to many in our communities. Coventry Lumber will make a donation for every free throw that is successful. To be associated with the Men and Women's Basketball teams is a symbol of the support and respect that Coventry Lumber has for Providence College, Coach Cooley, Coach Crowley and each player that strives to be the best they can and be a part of a winning team."

Come out to the Dunkin Donuts Center and support the Friars, Coventry Lumber and Hope Hospice and Palliative Care Rhode Island.

Honor Roll Awards Returning

By Bill Corey, Providence Journal Sports
Posted Feb 2, 2020 at 6:53
PROVIDENCE — The Providence Journal Honor Roll Boy and Girl awards will resume this year, complete with a new sponsor — Coventry Lumber.

The award dates back to the 1920s and, each year, has honored an outstanding student-athlete based on both athletic performance and academic achievement. The Journal did not name award winners in 2019, after losing the longtime sponsor of the award. But several school officials expressed their interest in continuing the longtime tradition.

Thanks in large part to the efforts of Coventry athletic director Chuck Jones, a committee was formed last summer — including Jones, along with Steven Alves, the 1983 Honor Roll Boy; Chris Cobain, the director of athletics at East Greenwich High School; retired Journal sports writer John Gillooly; Anne Hird, the 1977 Honor Roll Girl; and Mike Hobin, the Westerly High School principal. Nomination forms will be sent to each school district in Rhode Island. The committee will weigh each nominee with the goal of selecting the Providence Journal Honor Roll Boy and Honor Roll Girl by the spring.

The winners will be presented with their awards — and scholarships offered by Coventry Lumber — at The Providence Journal’s annual All-State banquet at the Rhode Island Convention Center in June.

Bill Finnegan, the president/owner of Coventry Lumber and its parent firm, Finetco, said he’s long been familiar with the award, and having had children go through the Coventry schools and involved with sports, he knows the value of the award.

“I think it’s a great cause. These are, hopefully, the leaders of tomorrow,” said Finnegan, noting that the nominees exhibit the traits of hard work and leadership skills. “These are the types of people that business owners want to see walking through our doors.”

Jones, the Coventry A.D., said being chosen as a nominee has long been an honor.

“This says, you are the person we want our future student-athletes to aspire to be like. We acknowledge your commitment as a student-athlete in the classroom, on the field of play, in your school community and in your city or town,” he said.

“This was first awarded in 1927, and then expanded in 1977 to acknowledge a girl, and has become a tradition that needs to continue.”

Giving Back To The Community Is A

Priority At Coventry Lumber

November 2019

COVENTRY, RI - Just as in years past, the employees at Coventry Lumber participated in the distribution of Holiday Thanksgiving meals for the Coventry Department of Human Services to residents that do not have the same resources that many others do. Caring for others in the community has always been important to Coventry Lumber and being a family owned business with many ties to Coventry the level of care and interest for fellow residents is always a priority.

At Coventry Lumber we wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and wish you all the best!

COVENTRY LUMBER KNOWS THAT EVERY FREE THROW WINS WITH THE PROVIDENCE FRIARS

Coventry Lumber and the Finetco Family of Lumberyards is proud to be a sponsor of the Providence College Friars Men and Women’s basketball teams and continue support of the “Every Free Throw Counts” program to benefit Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Rhode Island, the most respected and experienced hospice agency in the state.

When a local business like Coventry Lumber and a renowned college team like the Friars come together to support a worthwhile cause the outcome is always one with stellar results. Following is the official press release from the Providence Friars:

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Coventry Lumber will continue its support of the Providence College Friars through the 2021-22 collegiate athletics season as announced today by Providence College Athletics and its multimedia rightsholder, Providence Friars Sports Properties.

The centerpiece component of Coventry Lumber's involvement – "Every Free Throw Counts" – will remain an integral give-back campaign during basketball season. Concurrent with the renewed three-year term, the women's team officially will be added to the mix. For every successful free throw made by the men's or women's team at home, Coventry Lumber will continue to earmark $10 for Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Rhode Island, the second oldest hospice in the nation and most experienced hospice agency in the state.

"We're proud to work alongside Coventry Lumber and truly appreciate their unbelievable support of the Friars, as well as Hope Hospice," Providence College Athletic Director Bob Driscoll said. "Now that our women's team will be involved with 'Every Free Throw Counts' the next three years, it will be exciting to see the overall funds that will be generated from the initiative for such an important care facility in our community."

The Finetco family of lumberyards, includes Coventry Lumber, E.L. Morse Lumber, Waterford Building Supply, West Haven Lumber and Welco. Each location is dedicated to providing quality building products and exceptional service to builders, contractors and retail customers throughout New England and New York.

PROVIDENCE COLLEGE FRIARS AND COVENTRY LUMBER MAKE A GREAT TEAM!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

COVENTRY, R.I. – Coventry Lumber and Providence College Athletics announced the start of a multi-year relationship focusing on all Providence College Men’s Basketball Games played at the Dunkin Donuts center in Providence.

The relationship between Coventry Lumber and the Friars is more than just a sports sponsorship it is a true philanthropic initiative. For every successful free throw made by the Friars at any home game during the season Coventry Lumber has pledged to donate $10 to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Rhode Island, the second oldest hospice in the country and highly experienced hospice agency in the state of Rhode Island. The Coventry Lumber initiative will provide greatly needed funding for the Providence-based hospice facility, which recently celebrated its 40^th anniversary assisting families and members of the community.

The Friars began their season on November 13 at the Dunkin Donuts center in a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers and have since played four more home games. To date, there is a total of $930 that has already been designated by Coventry Lumber for the Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Rhode Island facility. The next home game is scheduled for December 17.

"We are excited to announce this partnership with Coventry Lumber," said Providence College Athletic Director Bob Driscoll. "We appreciate Coventry Lumber's support of the Friars and their philanthropic efforts to help and aid those in our community.”

“We couldn’t be happier to be able to support Providence College Athletics and align this give-back initiative with the Friars’ men’s basketball team, which has an incredible winning track record, high level of integrity and community commitment,” added Coventry Lumber President Bill Finnegan. “Hope Hospice is a necessary organization to assist in the next phases of life that we all encounter at one point, and we are pleased to help them through our relationship with the Friars.”

“Coventry Lumber is dedicated to making sure the community is a focal point of how they do business, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have them on board as our newest Friars’ corporate partner and are grateful for their support,” added JJ Alberts, general manager for Learfield’s Providence Friars Sports Properties.

Coventry Lumber will continue to support the Providence College Friars and Hope Hospice & Palliative Care as part of their overall commitment to the community. There are ten more home games until the end of the regular season and Coventry Lumber hopes to make a very impactful donation based on each successful free throw. With the Providence College Friars this goal can be achieved.

The Finetco group of companies, which includes Coventry Lumber, West Haven Lumber, Welco and Lenihan Lumber, provides quality building products to builders, contractors and retail customers throughout New England and New York.