The Bishop Higgins Award was created in honor of the founder of Episcopal Charities Fund, The Right Reverend John Seville Higgins. Bishop Higgins, at the time, was Rector of St. Martin's Church in Providence. He met with key people throughout the Diocese, lay and clergy alike, and a commitment to the well-being of Rhode Islanders was born. His vision to reach out into the community became a tradition of people helping people. This tradition continues today.

This vision became a tradition because the people of Rhode Island cared. Since the founding of Episcopal Charities in 1952, many volunteers played many roles to bring us where we are today. Each year the Bishop Higgins Award is given to a special person for "distinguished and meritorious service on behalf of the Episcopal Charities Fund of Rhode Island".

Recipients of the Higgins Award

2005 - Mayor Scott Avedisian and Ms. Peggy Amatore

2004 - Carol Keiser & Harry Sacchetti

2003 - Penny Fisher & Donna Lancaster

2002 - Evelyn Brchan

2001 - Robert Tingle

2000 - Nancy Hudson

1999 - Meredith Marjorie Thayer

1998 - Philip G. Campbell

1997 - William Raymond Costello

1996 - Martha Parks

1994 - The Right Reverend George N. Hunt, III

1993 - J. Paul Wilson

1992 - Ruth Brindley

1991 - The Rev. Hebert W. & Mrs. Elizabeth S. Bolles

1990 - Olive Hindle & Frank Daley

1989 - Rev. Harrington M. Gordon, Jr.

1988 - Elke Moonan & Gail Peet

1987 - Marilyn Doebler

1985 - The Rev. Frederick K. Jellison

1984 - Joanne Dunlap

1983 - Kenneth Lagerquist

1982 - George J. Schaffer

1977 - Herbert W. Spink

1976 - Mrs. Robert H. Goff

1975 - Robert O. Anthony

1974 - The Rt. Rev. John S. Higgins & Ambrose A. Campbell

1973 - Dr. Percy Hodgson

These people, along with so many others, have given their time and talent to help make Rhode Island a better and productive place to live. We are grateful to them all.