Project Undercover, the only organization in Rhode Island that works exclusively to reduce diaper need, promised its second annual Taste of Summer fundraiser would be bigger and better – and it delivered.

The all-volunteer non-profit’s largest event of the year drew a sold-out crowd of 300 to Aqua at the Providence Marriott on Aug. 18 and more than doubled the amount of money raised. Last year’s event brought in $9,000, and this year’s total exceeded $26,000. The proceeds will be used to purchase diapers, socks, underwear, and baby wipes for the approximately 20,000 Rhode Island children ages seven and under living in poverty.

“Our goal was $20,000 so we were thrilled to surpass that,” event co-chair and board member Stephanie Oster Wilmarth said. “For a small, all-volunteer organization like ours to have that level of success is a testament to the outpouring of support we had from people all over the state. The generosity of Rhode Islanders is truly amazing.”

Ready to build on that success, Project Undercover is already gearing up for next August, when it will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a gala event – and a goal to raise $50,000. The plans won’t be unveiled until next year, but they promise to continue the “bigger and better” theme.

“We’re very proud that Project Undercover has been able to help so many families and we want to make sure it keeps growing,” said founder/president Richard Fleischer. “Twenty-five years for a volunteer organization like ours is an incredible achievement that we want to celebrate it in a big way.”

Stay tuned in 2017 to find out. In the meantime, you can learn more about how Project Undercover is serving families in need and how you can get involved at projectundercover.org.