PPAC and Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund Announce Recipient of the Outstanding Greeter Grant
Photos: Carolyn Richer, recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Greeter Grant with Karen O'Donnell and Frank O'Donnell representing the Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund. Credit: CORE photographic
Providence, RI –The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), in partnership with the Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund, is pleased to announce that Carolyn Richer, a Portsmouth High School senior, is the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Greeter Grant.
Richer is part of PPAC’s High School Greeter program, where high school students between the ages of 15 and 18 warmly welcome patrons as they enter the Lobby before the start of each show in the Taco and The White Family Foundation Broadway Series. The Outstanding Greeter Grant recognizes a student who is committed to volunteering and displays enthusiasm about greeting.
The Outstanding Greeter Grant was created by the O’Donnell Family and the Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund in honor of Betty Benedetti. Along with being the Senior Marketing Assistant at PPAC, Benedetti served as the longtime Coordinator of PPAC’s High School Greeter program.
Frank O'Donnell, president of Keri's Fund, explained, “Our family knows the value of the Greeter Program, as our son Patrick and daughters Keri and Kayla were volunteer Greeters. By welcoming patrons to PPAC, we noticed an improvement in their social skills, and thanks to Betty Benedetti, all three developed a lasting love for theatre. The Outstanding Greeter Grant is our way of thanking Betty and PPAC for making this program available for students to take part in.”
“We are grateful to the O’Donnell Family for their generosity and for honoring Betty’s legacy through the Outstanding Greeter Grant,” said P.J. Prokop, PPAC Director of Marketing and the creator of the Greeter Program. “The Greeters are often the first people that patrons interact with when they are attending shows in the Broadway Series. This is a wonderful way to recognize a student’s warm, welcoming nature and commitment to the program. Congratulations to Carolyn for being chosen as the Outstanding Greeter this year!”
“I feel honored and was honestly so surprised to be recognized as an Outstanding Greeter,” said Richer. “Thank you so much to the O’Donnell Family and to PPAC for the award and thanks to my Greeter Coordinator, Kerri Vecoli, for nominating me. I have really enjoyed being a part of the Greeter program this school year.”
About the PPAC High School Greeter Program
PPAC’s Greeter Program provides an opportunity for high school students between the ages of 15 and 18 to welcome patrons as they enter the Lobby before the start of each show in the Taco and The White Family Foundation Broadway Series. Greeters hand out program books to patrons and answer general questions about the Theatre. The Greeters also have the chance to watch the shows when they volunteer. By engaging with patrons and working with their Greeter Coordinators, students have the chance to improve their social skills and their self-confidence. Greeters also earn community service hours upon request.
Applications for the 2026/2027 Greeter Program are currently being accepted. To learn more, please contact Caitlyn DiPompo at cdipompo@ppacri.org or visit ppacri.org/greeters