​It has been just two months since the Rhode Island community lost Don Angelo, and the grief is still fresh for many who knew him. His story—one that moved from a personal essay about his diagnosis to an obituary just a month later—is a stark reminder of how quickly ALS can change a family's life. For Christina Vilardi, Executive Director of ALS Rhode Island, that swift and devastating progression is all too familiar.
"We have lost too many people to ALS this year and over the past few years," Vilardi said. Since joining the organization in 2023, she has witnessed firsthand the toll the disease takes—not just on patients, but on everyone who loves them.
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurological disease that affects a person's ability to walk, talk, and eventually breathe. There is no cure, and treatment options remain limited. According to Vilardi, the disease currently affects approximately 100 Rhode Islanders at any given time, with a typical progression of two to five years after diagnosis. It doesn't discriminate by age, striking people as young as their 20s and as old as their 80s. While 90% of cases are sporadic, the remaining 10% are familial, pointing to a genetic component. Notably, veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS during their lifetime.
ALS Rhode Island is the only organization in the state providing direct care and clinical services to those affected by the disease. The organization operates the state's multidisciplinary ALS clinic and offers an extensive range of support services, including equipment loans (such as hospital beds, power wheelchairs, and speech-generating devices), transportation to medical appointments, and comprehensive care coordination.
"You can call us up at our Warwick office and we'll help with anything that you need," Vilardi explained. "Coordinating your care, working with your neurologist, any questions that you have throughout your ALS journey."
The organization also provides family support groups, respite care, and financial assistance for home modifications, like wheelchair ramps—resources families often don't realize they'll need until they're faced with a diagnosis.
"Families who reach out to us feel at least some sense of relief once they know that they're not alone in this journey," Vilardi said.
That sense of community extends beyond patients to their loved ones. ALS Rhode Island also offers direct support groups and ongoing resources for spouses who have lost partners to the disease.
Supporting this mission is a growing group of young professionals known as the Impact Council, chaired by Peter Ruzzo. Ruzzo met Vilardi about a year ago while looking for a meaningful way to volunteer his time.
"A coworker of mine lost her husband to ALS just a number of years ago, and I thought this was a great way for me to spend some time for a very worthy cause and a very terrible disease," Ruzzo said.
Under his leadership, the Impact Council has worked to bring fresh energy and visibility to the cause. Its flagship initiative has been partnering with local 5K and 10K races, half marathons, and marathons to bring the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge directly to runners crossing the finish line—a natural pairing that helped the group raise a significant amount of money this past summer.
"You just ran a 5K. You're hot and sweaty. You want a bucket of ice," Ruzzo said, explaining the appeal.
This fall, the Impact Council is shifting its focus toward hands-on volunteer work through a new initiative called Care Connections, which pairs volunteers directly with families affected by ALS. The support is often simple but meaningful: yard work, grocery runs, or just spending time with someone in need of company. The group also plans to hand-deliver pies around Thanksgiving and help families with Christmas decorations during the holiday season.
"As a volunteer and not an employee of the company, I said, how can I actually help these people?" Ruzzo said. "It's as simple as doing yard work around the house, helping them with groceries, and even just spending time with the affected members of the community."
The Impact Council has grown significantly over the past year, but Ruzzo emphasized that more volunteers—particularly young professionals—are always needed, especially for the Care Connections program.
Right now, ALS Rhode Island is supporting roughly 80 to 100 people across all of its programs, with about 50 patients currently receiving care through its multidisciplinary clinic. Those numbers fluctuate, but the need for support remains constant.
For those looking to get involved, whether through volunteering, fundraising, or simply learning more about the services available, ALS Rhode Island encourages the community to visit alsunitedri.org or call their Warwick office at (401) 732-1609.
"It's important that you all know that these services are out there," Vilardi said. And for families navigating an ALS diagnosis, that knowledge—and the support behind it—can make all the difference.

​Rhode Island's own hero dog Tyson has added "published subject" to his resume. Sandra Sanford, Tyson's owner, recently sat down with the Rhode Island Wave to discuss "Tyson a Hero Dog," a new book chronicling the beloved pup's most famous rescue.
Longtime readers may remember Tyson from a previous feature after he earned recognition for finding a missing dog in the woods within just one minute — a feat that took searchers nearly two days to accomplish on their own. That real-life story of courage now forms the heart of Sanford's new book, available on Amazon and select bookstores.
"It was a dream of mine to write a book about Tyson," Sanford said. She partnered with retired Captain Joseph Broadmeadow, an award-winning author and publisher, to bring the project to life. "It was my story, but he was able to help us publish the book," she explained. "He created the whole book" — including gathering many of the photographs, some of which Sanford took herself, such as the emotional shot of Tyson right after he found the missing dog, Olive, in the woods.
The rescue that inspired the book took place when Olive, belonging to attorney Ronald Resmini's son's girlfriend, went missing in the woods for two days. "No one could find her for two days," Sanford recalled. "Me and Tyson went right in the woods and within a minute he found her. I was so proud of this boy." Tyson later received an award for bravery and skill, along with a monetary gift from Resmini that Sanford used to treat Tyson for Lyme disease, which he'd contracted during his time searching the woods.
Tyson has since retired from search work. He now lives with a collapsing trachea and a recently diagnosed heart murmur, but Sanford says he remains as sweet and gentle as ever — even serving previously as a comfort dog for Brown University students.
"Tyson a Hero Dog" is more than a heartwarming tale, though — it's also a fundraising effort. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local animal shelters and rescues throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. "We might not be rich, but we're rich in love," Sanford said. "We're rich in the heart." The book is dedicated to the late Judge Frank Caprio, with permission from his family, in recognition of his kindness and compassion.
Sanford said the book is intended for children ages 4 to 10 and is already gaining traction. East Providence Councilwoman Anna Souza, who reads to children during story time events, plans to feature the book at local schools. A bookstore in Newburyport, Massachusetts, has also picked up copies for its shelves.
The back cover includes a photo of Sanford and Tyson taken by photographer Tina Haddad, along with a sketch created by artist Stanley Silver.
Sanford and Tyson plan to attend several upcoming community events to promote the book, including the New England Witches Guild vendor fair and Halloween parade in Riverside on October 17, and Mount Hope-alooza in Bristol on October 11. Sanford said Tyson will even be on hand to "autograph" copies with a paw-print stamp made especially for him.
"Tyson a Hero Dog" is available now on Amazon under author Sandy Sanford, with copies also available at select bookstores including Barnes & Noble.
"We really appreciate everyone purchasing the book," Sanford said, noting it could make a meaningful holiday gift for kids, grandkids, or animal-loving friends. "It's a fun, fun-loving book... a book with a purpose."
For Sanford and Tyson, the book represents more than just a story — it's a way to give back to the rescue community that means so much to them, one copy, and one wagging tail, at a time.

​Providence voters will head to the polls this November to decide between two candidates named Dave: Democrat David Morales and Republican Dave Talan. In a recent interview with the Rhode Island Wave, Talan, a 77-year-old lifelong Providence resident, laid out his vision for the city — one built on decades of community involvement and a detailed plan to overhaul the school system.
A Life Rooted in Providence
Talan's résumé reads like a community activist's playbook. A graduate of Providence Public Schools, CCRI, and the University of Rhode Island, he holds a degree in chemical and nuclear engineering and spent much of his career in computers. But his real legacy, he says, is local: 16 terms as president of the Reservoir Triangle Neighborhood Association, 52 years with the Elmwood Little League, and 12 years on Providence's Board of Park Commissioners, which oversees 120 city parks.
He's also worked inside government as an administrative assistant to two state representatives — one Republican, one Democrat — and currently chairs the Providence Republican Party. Notably, Talan coached Houston Astros World Series MVP Jeremy Peña during his Little League years.
Unlike his opponent, Talan didn't face a primary challenge, meaning he skipped the spotlight that came with the crowded Democratic race. Still, he participated in six mayoral debates, averaging 115 attendees each, plus made appearances at all 11 city council debates.
Reimagining Providence Schools
At the heart of Talan's platform is a plan to restructure the city's school system — one he says could save more than $10 million a year without cutting classroom resources.
His central idea: return to a neighborhood school model. According to Talan, 90 to 95% of Providence children live within walking distance of an elementary or middle school, yet the majority are bused across the city — a practice he traces back to 1960s-era desegregation policies that, he argues, are no longer relevant given today's demographics. He notes that 91% of Providence public school students are now minorities, and even the school with the lowest minority population, Martin Luther King School, sits at 65%.
Talan's proposal would let parents choose to send their children to their neighborhood school by default, while still allowing families to opt for busing if another school offers a specific program or is closer to childcare. He estimates this could cut the number of bused students from 9,000 to around 4,500, saving the city roughly $10 million annually — the same amount Providence raised in taxes last year to cover school costs.
Beyond transportation, Talan points to what he calls a "bloated" administrative office, arguing that while traditional public school enrollment dropped from 24,000 to 19,000 students over 12 years, administrative staff doubled. He also referenced an independent audit by Alvarez & Marsal, commissioned by Mayor Brett Smiley, which found the district was overspending on services outside the classroom — findings Talan says support his own conclusions.
He's also pushing to expand access to charter schools. With seven Providence school buildings set to close over the next two years due to age and construction of new facilities, Talan wants to hand those buildings over to charter operators like Achievement First, Excel Academy, and Southside Charter, which he says are eager to expand and could absorb thousands of students currently on waiting lists.
Reaching Across the Aisle
Talan acknowledges he's an underdog in a heavily Democratic city, estimating he starts with about 15% of the vote. His strategy hinges on winning over Smiley supporters who didn't turn out for the primary, believing many were caught off guard by Morales' upset win. Talan estimates the November electorate could be twice the size of the primary turnout, and he believes if he can capture even half of Smiley's would-be voters, he has a path to victory.
"I agree with [Smiley] on so much," Talan said, noting he found little to criticize in Smiley's handling of core city services like police, fire, and public works.
Where He Differs from Morales
Talan draws sharper contrasts with Morales, particularly on policing, housing, and a contentious November ballot referendum known as Question 7, which calls for the city to divest from companies or countries accused of genocide — a measure Talan says is aimed squarely at Israel.
As a Jewish community leader and member of the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel, Talan called the referendum "offensive" and said Morales' enthusiastic support for it, along with other incidents he characterized as insensitive to antisemitism concerns, will be a defining issue in the race. He said he wants Providence's Jewish population, and Jewish students at Brown University, to "feel safe and welcome."
On housing, Talan opposes rent control, citing its track record of failure in comparable U.S. cities, and instead favors expanding supply through prefabricated housing and encouraging local universities to build more on-campus dormitories, which he says would free up rental units currently occupied by students.
On policing, Talan expressed concern that roughly half of the Providence police force is currently eligible to retire, warning that a Morales administration could trigger a wave of departures the city could not easily replace.
The Race Ahead
With early voting turnout historically low and general election turnout typically double that of the primary, Talan is betting that a broader electorate will favor his more moderate positioning. Rhode Island voters must register at least 30 days before the November election to participate.
"I'm the firewall between Providence becoming a laboratory for socialism," Talan said, referencing comments made by a Morales campaign official. Whether that framing resonates with voters will become clear when Providence heads to the polls in November. https://davidtalan.com/

​For Lynn Wagner, booking a vacation is about far more than selling a plane ticket. As a travel concierge with Avie Travel, and the writer behind the Rhode Island Wave's travel column, she builds entire experiences around her clients' personalities, interests, and travel styles.
"What sets me apart from a travel agent is I just don't sell you a ticket," Wagner said. "It's much more in depth, and I take care of you."
That process starts with getting to know her clients, sometimes over a lunch meeting, before crafting a trip suited to their exact wishes. She checks in throughout the planning process, sends along a small gift before departure, and follows up once travelers are back home to make sure everything went smoothly.
Wagner recently helped a couple book a river cruise along the Rhone River in France, timing the trip carefully around seasonal water levels. "They just had the most wonderful experience," she said, "and all the little extras I recommended, they loved every single one of them."
A Well-Traveled Expert
Wagner's own travels give her an edge many booking websites can't match. She has led clients on trips to Egypt, where one traveler stepped inside a pyramid, and to Japan during cherry blossom season, calling it "a life-changing trip."
She also recently returned from a Netherlands river cruise during tulip season, which included stops in Bruges and Brussels, along with visits to the Rembrandt Museum and Anne Frank House.
River cruises, Wagner explained, offer a different experience than traditional ocean voyages. Trips typically run seven days, though travelers can extend them into 14-day "grand cruises," with the option to add pre- or post-cruise stays. Because river ships dock in towns almost daily, and passengers can always see land, Wagner said the trips are especially popular with nervous cruisers or non-swimmers.
Onboard entertainment tends to spotlight local culture rather than Broadway-style shows. Wagner recalled a French chanteuse performing on one cruise and folkloric dancers in Budapest, along with a nighttime cruise along the illuminated Danube.
Personalized Itineraries, No Internet Rabbit Holes Required
Wagner said many of her clients are executives who don't have time to comb through travel sites, especially now that AI-generated results add another layer of uncertainty. "Do you have to go to three sites to verify your own information?" she said. "A good concierge knows those things."
Her services extend beyond cruises to land tours, including trips to China to see the Terracotta Warriors, and she often works with resources like Ancestry.com to help clients trace family roots during ancestral travel.
Wagner also helps clients navigate current world events. Rather than avoiding travel altogether, she said she guides them toward destinations that make sense for their comfort level. "You have to know the geography," she said, "and that's where I come in."
A Free Service With a Personal Touch
Despite the highly customized planning, Wagner's services cost travelers nothing. She's compensated through her travel partners, meaning clients get expert guidance, upgraded rooms when possible, and detailed itineraries at no additional charge.
"I'm going to take the frustration out of it," she said. "When you walk out of your hotel, I tell you exactly what you need to do... there's no, which way are we going, are we lost."
For Wagner, the reward isn't just a job well done. It's watching her clients experience the world. "When I see that look on people's faces," she said, "that's when I say to myself, that was a good job. The world's a beautiful place."
Readers can reach Lynn Wagner at Avie Travel by calling 401-265-8300, or follow her monthly travel column in the Rhode Island Wave.