EAST PROVIDENCE — Nearly 100 mostly East Providence High School students joined members of the East Providence Police Department during the latter’s regular “Good Night Lights” stop Wednesday evening, Sept. 25.

The group gathered at the East Bay Bike Path overlook in city on Veterans Memorial Parkway to say “good night” to the young patients at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital across Narragansett Bay in Providence. The EPPD has participated in the “Good Night Lights” program pretty much since its inception several years ago.

Scituate School Resource Officer (SRO) Richard Parenti initiated the idea of getting the students involved, working with the EPPD, EPHS SROs Doug Borden and Roland Estrada and EPHS principal Shani Wallace.

“We were eager to participate in this genuine endeavor and bring our students together,” Ms. Wallace said.

Besides the flashing lights of EPPD cruisers towards Hasbro, the officers and EPHS students signaled to the patients with flashlights and cellphones. They also illuminated a large red heart “to share their own hearts and warm wishes” with the hospitalized children," said Ms. Wallace, who added of the students’ efforts, “They were enthusiastic and heartfelt.”

Last week’s “Lights” participation isn’t expected to be a one off, according to Officer Borden, and the next could include students as well from the elementary and middle school levels throughout the district.

“Most of the kids who participated were high school students, but we would love to see other schools participate as well,” he added. “We plan on doing another event, but not sure when. Further plans are on the horizon.”

East Providence Post and eastbayri.com staff photographer Rich Dionne shot the accompanying gallery of photos.