Rhode Islanders delivered.

401Gives, the statewide day of giving powered by United Way of Rhode Island, surpassed its $5 million fundraising goal by the time giving closed at 6 p.m. Wednesday, setting new records for donors, gifts and participating organizations in the initiative’s seven-year history.

Over 36 hours, 20,112 donors made 32,544 gifts to benefit 705 Rhode Island nonprofits — each figure a new high for 401Gives, which has now raised more than $24 million since its debut in 2020.

“401Gives and the generosity shown by our Rhode Island neighbors is nothing short of extraordinary, to have pushed the bar even higher with another record-breaking year is incredible,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s president and CEO. “This is significant funding for our nonprofits, dollars they didn’t have just days ago. At a time of real need, our neighbors rose to the occasion, underscoring what I’ve always known to be true… Rhode Islanders always have one another’s back.”

Giving began at 6 a.m. Tuesday, with a $20,000 matching gift from the Papitto Opportunity Connection kicking things off. The effort crossed $1 million within its first few hours. Additional matches from Rhode Island Energy, Rhode Island Foundation, Eastern Bank and CapEx helped drive sustained bursts of activity throughout the day and a half. This year’s 401Gives began a day earlier than usual to honor Passover.

Among the top fundraisers, Newport’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center led the large nonprofit category with $204,864 raised, followed by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island at $165,329. School One topped medium-sized organizations with $81,165, while The Gordon School led small nonprofits at $61,312 and Partnership for Providence Parks paced micro organizations at $65,949. Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England surpassed $55,000, exceeding their goal. In all, 113 organizations raised $10,000 or more and 196 exceeded $5,000.

The Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education engaged the highest number of individual donors at 519, followed by Foster Forward at 449 and Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance at 312.

“From Woonsocket to Westerly and everywhere in between, nonprofits touch our lives every single day, and often in ways people don’t even realize,” said Caitlynn Douglas, who leads 401Gives for the organization. “To see the way our community rallies around 401Gives and supports organizations that are feeding families, caring for seniors, educating our children, protecting our environment, enriching the arts, and so much more is extremely powerful. We hope donors see 401Gives as the beginning of an ongoing relationship with nonprofits and more than just a day of giving.”

Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector accounts for 18 percent of the state’s total workforce. 401Gives is powered by United Way of Rhode Island and its Alliance for Nonprofit Impact.

With the premiere of “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island,” you may be wondering exactly who you will be seeing on the screen.

Premiering on Thursday, April 2, Rhode Island’s debut in “The Real Housewives” franchise will focus on seven women, with special appearances from “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dolores Catania. One of Rhode Island’s seven “Real Housewives” is Rosie Woods DiMare, a familiar face for Rhode Islanders who watch the morning news.

Here’s what to know about Rhode Island “Real Housewife” Rosie DiMare ahead of the series premiere.

Who is Rosie DiMare?

A lifetime New Englander, Rosie DiMare grew up just over the Rhode Island border in Massachusetts before spending her college years in the city at Boston University, according to her LinkedIn. DiMare now lives in North Kingstown with her dog and husband, professional Frank Sinatra impersonator Rich DiMare.

If you think you’ve seen Rosie DiMare on TV before, you’re right – she used to be a television news anchor for WPRI and, more recently, NBC WJAR Channel 10, reporting on the morning traffic and hosting her own afternoon lifestyle show.

After 10+ years of working in local news across the country, DiMare decided to do her own show under her own production company, and she is now the host of her own lifestyle program. Outside of her work in entertainment, DiMare also works as a DJ, an emcee and a social media manager for several local companies.

According to her personal bio from Bravo, DiMare will face multiple challenges this season as friend drama unfolds while she and her husband move.

Here’s what Bravo said about Rosie DiMare’s arc in the debut season: “Former Rhode Island television news anchor Rosie DiMare and her husband, Rich, are leveling up, trading their cozy over-the-garage apartment for a sprawling dream home. As Rosie focuses on growing her local lifestyle program, she also faces challenges within her inner circle, leaving her to reassess loyalties and where she truly fits in with this evolving, close-knit group.”

How to watch ‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’

The debut season of “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” will premiere Thursday, April 2 at 9 p.m. on Bravo. After the first episode, new episodes will air weekly on Sundays at 9 p.m.

Even though April is known for its rainy days, it’s also the time when people in Rhode Island start getting off the couch and jumping back into community events and activities.

Some events are practically a rite of spring — Opening Day for Minor League Baseball, farmers markets, Earth Day observances and action projects, and the start of the expo and festival season in Rhode Island.

We’ve rounded up some springtime events in Rhode Island to get you out of the house in April.

Are you planning an event this spring? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!