By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

The Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary School in Providence Wednesday dedicated a new playground to its namesake and benefactor, and the Cranston philanthropist was on hand for a brief ceremony.

“Thank you so much for this wonderful, wonderful tribute,” said Feinstein, who wrote a $25,000 check to fund construction of the playground in 2013. His contribution was in response to a question he posed to Cynthia Scheller, who had recently been named the school’s principal.

“He asked, what does the school need more than anything, and I said, a playground,” said Scheller.

Feinstein founded the Feinstein Foundation. His ‘Feinstein Scholars’ program now extends to 160 schools in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and to four foreign countries, encouraging youngsters to do good deeds.

“Every time they do something good for somebody else, they make the world a better place,” he said. “And, that’s a power that no one can take away from them. No one can force them to do it, but nobody can take that away from them.”

Feinstein mingled easily with youngsters, who ranged in age from kindergarten to fifth grade, hugging and encouraging the children.

“I’m proud of you guys, you have a special place in my heart forever,” he told them.