Great ideas can come from the most unusual places. And, in the case of Cranston Cares, it was three lifelong friends sitting around talking.

Adam DeCiccio, Ed Brady and Justin Erickson wanted to find a way of implementing Adam’s life motto of “Deeds not Words” into action throughout the Cranston Community.

Brady and Erickson became fast friends on Speck Field where they played little league, at nine years of age. DeCiccio joined their gang at Western Hills, since he was a year older.

“We were always taking about how we can start giving back to Cranston,” said Erickson, the current President of Cranston Cares, Inc.

When Adam passed away in December of 2020, Brady and Erickson knew they had to step up and keep Adam’s dream alive.

Cranston Cares, is a 501c-3 organization that through donations, fundraising and creativity, provide equitable improvements throughout the Cranston community.

The first event that Cranston Cares about was a night of fireworks at the Atwood Avenue ball field on July 4th.

Originally, it was only Erickson out in front, with Brady behind the scenes as he was an elected official at the time.

“We didn’t want Ed to have any kind of conflict. I worked relentlessly to ensure our turkey and toy drives that first year were successful,” Erickson said.

Erickson was focused on where do they store the turkeys, how will they be distributed, will there be enough for those in need, etc.

Erickson credits Adam’s Mom Dawn and Tayla his fiancée and son Gunner for really picking up the torch to carry group to fruition.

Recently, the organization held its first formal meeting and appointed officers and started to plan for the upcoming events.

At the meeting, Dawn announced she was donating a $1,000 scholarship to a senior at Cranston West in Adam’s name, who also is service and community minded.

“Cranston Cares means a lot to myself and my family. To keep Adam’s ‘Deeds Not Words’ life motto going is very heartfelt. The ‘Deeds Not Words Scholarship’ (that is what I want to name it) will be recurring, and hopefully Adam’s son Gunner will present it to the deserving senior at Cranston West,” she said.

In true Cranston fashion, newly appointed Vice President, Ryan Nardolillo also stepped up to offer a matching scholarship at East in memory of his father.

“My father was Robert A. Nardolillo, Jr. It will be recurring every year and its intent is for students to use the funds to follow their career dreams in the entertainment industry as my family true passion was to entertain, and he lived for smiles,” said Nardolillo

Erickson, recently acknowledged Nardolillo for an event he held which raised almost $2,000 for Cranston Cares.

Adam served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. He was a decorated veteran who strove to give back to all veterans and their support organizations.

“I also love the fact that Cranston Cares will allow Gunner to follow in his father’s footsteps helping veterans and families in his hometown of Cranston,” said Dawn.

There is a bench at the Cranston West Field named in his memory.

A few of the projects that Cranston Cares has been involved with are the installation of ADA compliant benches around Meshanticut Lake, assisting at the Praise Tabernacle annual BBQ, a movie night at Atwood Field tied in with Emily’s annual Blanket fundraiser, a school clean up at Stadium Elementary School, a donation to Stone Hill Elementary School and new flower beds for the front of Cranston East High School.

“What they are doing for the community is actually making a difference in our community. What you actually call yourself, it’s what you do. Check out the word itself, community -- common unity, people of Cranston who have something in common to make Cranston better,” said Cranston East Principal, Tom Barbieri.

Erickson is grateful to all businesses and other organizations that help support.

J&R Marketing out of Smithfield, formerly Cranston, has graciously donated its services for the maintenance and operations of the Cranston Cares website. Tito’s Vodka has been a generous and good friend to the group as well.

The group is doing another turkey drive, as well as another toy drive. And, are hoping to do a Halloween costume give away and are planning a gala to truly raise the bar of giving.

“We are carrying on Adam’s legacy and dream, through deeds not words. To provide help and support to all Cranston citizens, making life better. I saw people sitting on the benches at Meshanticut Lake, and thought ‘I was part of that.’ It was a great feeling,” said Erickson.

To learn more about Cranston Cares, or to get involved, visit their website at cranstoncares.org or go to their Facebook page: facebook.com/CranstonCares401.