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Sponsor
Spotlight
Key to sustaining our services benefiting our neediest neighbors is support from community-minded businesses and foundations like the ones listed here. Get involved. Contact us today.
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The Merrimack Donates $5,000 to Support Friends Community Volunteers
The Friends Program appreciates the
generous support of its Volunteer Program Presenting Sponsor, Merrimack County Savings Bank.
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Granite Investment Advisors Awards $3,000 to Support Friends Youth Mentoring
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Concord Orthopaedics Awards $2,500 to Support Friends RSVP Bone Builders
The surgeons at Concord Orthopaedics are committed to seniors' health and wellness.
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Concord Junior Service League Donates $2,000 to Emergency Housing Building Repairs
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Keystone Management Donates $2,500 to Support Friends Emergency Housing
The Friends Program is grateful for
vital program support to help us provide shelter homeless families in Concord.
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Sanel Supports Program That Transports Seniors to Doctor's Appointments
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Bishop's Charitable Assistance Fund Supports Friends Caregivers and Bone Builders
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Wells Fargo Advisors Supports Friends Youth Mentoring
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Elektrisola Supports Friends Emergency Housing
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Preti Flaherty Donates $1,000 to Support Youth Mentoring
The Friends Program is appreciative of the continued support of the law firm Preti Flaherty to help match local youngsters with volunteer mentors.
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Rolfe and Rumford Donor Advised Fund of the N.H. Charitable Foundation Grants $3,260 to Support Mentoring
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Local Businesses Support Our Efforts to Strengthen the Community
Cassidy Law & Title
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Lincoln Financial Supports Friends Emergency Housing
Support from Lincoln Financial's charitable foundation is helping the Friends Program transition N.H. homeless families into affordable housing.
Read more
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Speedway Children's Charities Supports Youth Mentoring
A $2,673 grant will help us match Merrimack County youth with mentors.
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Concord Rotary Club Donates $2,500 to Friends Emergency Housing
Support from the Rotary will help pay for some long-overdue renovations to our shelter for homeless families.
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Typically, as we collect stories to share each month, a theme emerges connecting all the pieces. This month, not so much - at least not in a real obvious way.
A little girl named Meghan who sold origami to raise funds to donate to charity.
Hundreds of women getting dressed up in their old prom dresses for the ultimate ladies night out.
A 6'5" defensive end who came to Concord directly from Gillette Stadium to have his picture taken with a local volunteer who helps seniors battle osteoporosis.
On the surface, a seemingly unrelated collection of stories. But, if you take a step back, seen together on the whole they serve to illustrate a real community of caring. I thank you for reading on and for being part of that community.
Jerry Madden
Executive Director
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New England Patriots Celebrate Friends RSVP
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Friends RSVP's Caren Bonisteel with Patriot Zach Moore at a recent recognition event in Concord.
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A few weeks ago, Patriots representatives drove up from Foxborough to recognize Friends volunteer Caren Bonisteel. Last season she was named a Patriots Difference Maker of the Week for her contributions as a Caregiver and Bone Builder Leader. Caren is one of about 600 RSVP volunteers and said that she accepted the award on behalf of all their efforts. Attending from the Pats were defensive end Zach Moore, retired center Pete Brock, and team cheerleaders.
The event took place at Concord's Abbot Downing School and featured a student assembly. Following the ceremony, about 30 5th graders had the chance to "Play 60" with 30 Friends volunteers, Patriots players, and cheerleaders. Click here to see the NH1 story.
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94-Year-Old Mentor Virginia Recognized in Concord
Recently, our Lia Tarbell visited Pleasant View Retirement to surprise 94-year-old Virginia Gerseny with the Site-Based Mentor of the Year Award. Virginia's been a consistent and dependable presence in her Junior Friend's life. Virginia met with her at Pleasant View Retirement for 6 years enjoying dinners together, playing cards, working on craft projects, and sharing conversation.
"I am honored to receive this award, but it is unnecessary. [My Junior Friend] is the true award," said Virginia. As an educator of 30-plus years, Virginia is proud that her mentee made the honor roll the past two years and has enrolled at NHTI. Learn more about mentoring - 228-1193. Full Youth Mentoring Page
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Perhaps the Friends' Youngest Donor?
This recent letter touched our hearts. It was accompanied by a check for $20. Friends volunteers and staff applaud Meghan - and her parents for passing along great values. Click the image for a larger version.
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Give With Liberty: Liberty Mutual Employees Give Back
Employees from Liberty Mutual were on hand in May to help spruce up the Friends Program's shelter for homeless families. Their involvement has become an annual event, and their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Serve with Liberty is the Liberty Mutual Insurance global employee community service program. In 2014, more than 26,000 Liberty Mutual employees completed over 2,000 projects on behalf of 900 charities in 20 countries throughout the world. Liberty Mutual employees served in the communities they live in and work from Monday, May 4 to Friday, May 8, 2015.
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Foster Grandparent Recognition
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| Margo Toppan was presented with a bouquet and other tokens of appreciation by Foster Grandparents who volunteer in the communities she coordinates. |
At the end of every school year, Friends staff hold recognition events to celebrate the accomplishments of our Foster Grandparents. At this year's Concord event, there was a little bit of a twist. The Foster Grandparents decided to express their appreciation for Friends staffer Margo Toppan, who's been supporting our volunteers for 21 years. They wrote, "Everything you do, respect and praise/ You're a wonderful person, you always amaze./ Wish to say thanks, deep in our hearts/ For so many lives, you're a big, big part." Full Foster Grandparent Page
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Concord Mom Prom Raises $8K to Benefit Mentoring
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| Dynamic Duo: 3rd Annual Concord Mom Prom attendees included RSVP Coordinator Katie Lynch (left) and her mother Peggy - a Youth Mentoring volunteer. About 270 tickets were sold and helped raise $8,000 to support mentoring. |
Over 250 ladies got all glammed up on the evening of Friday, May 15 to dance the night away and raise a lot of money to help the Friends Program match local youth with volunteer mentors.
Only in its third year, the Concord Mom Prom has quickly become the Capital Region's premiere ladies night out.
Ladies 18 and up were able to showcase prom dresses and gowns. Awards were given to the Tackiest Dress, Best Original Dress, and the Prom Queen.There were dozens of great raffle prizes, too, donated by local businesses.
During a brief intermission, Mom Prom committee chair Michelle Myler announced that between ticket sales, the raffle, and outright financial donations to the Friends Program, the event raised $8,000. In a surprise announcement, the Junior Service League presented the Friends with an additional donation of $2,000 to help with necessary repairs to the Emergency Housing Program shelter.
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Granite Investment Steps forward to Sponsor Youth Mentoring
The Friends Program is delighted to announce that Granite Investment Advisors is the 2015 lead sponsor of the Friends Youth Mentoring Program. GIA will also be the lead sponsor of the Friends' 18th annual golf tournament, which will take place on Monday, September 14 at Concord Country Club.
"I believe that it's critical for all children to feel that someone cares about them," said Scott Schermerhorn, Managing Principal & Chief Investment Officer. "As this is a key mission of the Friends Program, we are happy to support them. Keep up the great work!"
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Why We Love Downtown Concord (Okay, Just One of the Many Reasons)
This weeks mail included a really thick envelope containing 16 checks from local businesses totaling almost $750. The donations represented a portion of sales from the May 16 "May It Forward" charity event.
When you shop at local businesses, you also support local nonprofits like the Friends Program.
Thanks to
Thanks to:
Bead It!
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Bravo Boutique
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Capitol Craftsman/ Romance Jewelers
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Caring Gifts
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Gondwana & Divine Clothing
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Little River Oriental Rugs
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Lotions 'n' Potions
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NH Federal Credit Union
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Orange Leaf
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OutFITters
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The Place Studio & Gallery
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Puppy Love
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Salon Envy
, Thorne's of Concord,
Viking House
, and
Wellington's Marketplace
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 Follow Us on Facebook
Baby pictures posted by high school friends you haven't seen in forever are great. Online Buzzfeed quizzes and invites to play Candy Crush also have their place.
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Mentor One Child - Enrich Two Lives
Call 228-0108 - Get Involved!
Make a difference
in the life of a Merrimack County young person. Join us to learn about mentoring.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 4:30-7p.m.
Thursday, June 25, 1:00-3p.m. (for teens)
Wednesday, July 15, 4:30-7p.m.
Venue for all sessions will be the Friends Program office, 202 North State Street in Concord. Call 228-0108 today to reserve your seat.
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Friends Program | 202 North State Street | Concord, NH 03301
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Copyright ? 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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