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NEW HAMPSHIRE CATHOLIC CHARITIES' 2008 ANNUAL APPEAL DATES
The dates for New Hampshire Catholic Charities' 2008 Annual Appeal were scheduled for Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, as well as Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. Mass Talk speakers were at churches throughout New Hampshire speaking about the agency and how we are helping those in need. For more information, please contact Judy Roberge at (603) 669-3030, Ext. 208 or e-mail jroberge@nh-cc.org
NEW HAMPSHIRE CATHOLIC CHARITIES ANNUAL APPEAL 2008
April 2008 marks the kickoff of New Hampshire Catholic Charities' Annual Appeal - a critical fundraising effort that benefits the 70,000 individuals that, as the state's largest non-profit social service agency, we are privileged to serve each year. More than 90 cents of every dollar raised during the Annual Appeal directly benefits and empowers the needy throughout New Hampshire.
Since 1945, New Hampshire Catholic Charities has been reaching out to the poor and vulnerable of all faiths and socioeconomic backgrounds, offering a dynamic array of quality, life-changing programs and services including rehabilitation and nursing facilities, immigration and refugee services, crisis counseling programs and housing for abused and neglected children. Run by trained professionals and supported by dedicated volunteers, the organization follows a Christian mission of healing, comforting, and empowering individuals seeking help.
The New Hampshire Food Bank, another program of the New Hampshire Catholic Charities, supplies food to nearly 350 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, community and treatment centers and after-school programs each year. These member agencies subsequently provide food to over 95,000 people living in poverty throughout the state. Over the past year, the Food Bank has seen an increase in demand for food while experiencing a decrease in donations of food inventories causing them to look for additional resources to feed the poor.
People from all walks of life in nearly every community throughout the state rely on New Hampshire Catholic Charities. The organization, in turn, relies on the generosity of the individuals and businesses that recognize the great social value in funding its necessary work. Together, the community and New Hampshire Catholic Charities make a difference by offering people hope and empowerment that strengthens the social fabric of New Hampshire. This is why the Annual Appeal is so vital to New Hampshire Catholic Charities.
This year, President and CEO Thomas Blonski is setting an aggressive Annual Appeal goal. "Our fundraising goal will be ambitious, but very attainable. I am confident that people of all faiths and backgrounds will embrace the mission of New Hampshire Catholic Charities and give generously. We have been able to assist and empower the tens of thousands of individuals that seek our help because of the strong financial support of the community."
For further information or to make a contribution, contact New Hampshire Catholic Charities, 215 Myrtle St., PO Box 686, Manchester, NH 03105-0686, or call 603-669-3030 or toll free 1-800-562-5249.
Providing Help. Creating Hope. Through the Power of You.
TASTE OF THE NATION
Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation®, presented by American Express®, is the nation's largest and finest culinary benefit, featuring top chefs and mixologists -- all of whom will come together this spring to donate their time, talent and passion to end childhood hunger in America. Kick-off summer with an exquisite and festive evening at one of Manchester's premiere events. Enjoy access to over thirty-five of the areas top chefs and mixologists, their signature dishes, desserts and drinks. Eat, drink and kick-off summer while helping to end childhood hunger here in the Manchester area. One of the beneficiaries of the event is the New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of New Hampshire Catholic Charities.
NH FOOD BANK TO BENEFIT FROM BEST OF NH EVENT
New Hampshire Magazine's Best of NH Party is like an indoor block party for the entire state. It's a great night out, a chance to explore all the best of the state in one place and for the price of a ticket. Discover the finest restaurants, pubs and diners from Coos County to the Seacoast, from Mt. Monadnock to the entire I-93 corridor. Along with great food and drink there's fantastic music on the main stage and entertainers mixing it up with the crowd. Money raised goes to help the New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of New Hampshire Catholic Charities. Don't miss it!
Date: June 26, 2008
Time 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, NH
http://www.nh.com/section/BESTOF
NEW HAMPSHIRE CATHOLIC CHARITIES' MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION RAISES OVER $53,0000
C.R. Sparks Hosted Fundraising Event for a Sold-Out Crowd
MANCHESTER, N.H. Feb.15, 2008— The final tallies are in, and the third annual Mardi Gras event at C.R. Sparks on February 9th raised over $53,000 for New Hampshire Catholic Charities – breaking the 2007 record by $19,000. Despite the snowstorm, a sold-out crowd of over 300 partygoers attended the black tie and costume-optional premiere fundraising event for New Hampshire Catholic Charities on Saturday night. Bidding on the silent auction items helped to surpass the evening’s goal of $50,000. “We’re absolutely thrilled with the community’s response,” said Tom Blonski, President and CEO of New Hampshire Catholic Charities. “The money raised tonight will provide emergency assistance aid to people in our towns and cities when tragedy strikes. Every dollar brought in by Mardi Gras stays right here in New Hampshire and goes to the people who need it most.” Tom went on to extend his sincere thanks to the guests and sponsors for their outstanding response to the Mardi Gras event. “It truly is a Party with a Purpose,” He said.
This year guests were treated to a buffet of authentic Louisiana and Creole cuisine, live music by The Boston Players, dancing, magicians and caricature artists, and the truly festive Mardi Gras décor in the dining room and VooDoo lounge. The silent auction was made up of over one hundred donated items – including Red Sox tickets and autographed memorabilia, a hotel stay in Hawaii, and vacations to Chicago and Louisiana. Due to this year’s overwhelming response, the New Hampshire Catholic Charities’ development staff is busy planning next year’s Mardi Gras with a date to be determined.
 
INITIATIVES IN MARKETING
It has been said that New Hampshire Catholic Charities is the “best kept secret” in the state. Through a unique idea and generous donation, New Hampshire Catholic Charities has established a new marketing initiative to help promote the agency. Launched on February 21, Catholic Charities is being advertised in the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. The billboard is located near the US Airways gate next to McDonald’s and Starbucks.
A special thank you to the family whose dedicated donation made this new venture possible!
OUR PLACE CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
On November 28, 2007, the OUR PLACE program of New Hampshire Catholic Charities celebrated its 25th anniversary of providing services in the greater Manchester area. Since its inception in 1982, the OUR PLACE program has been assisting pregnant and parenting teens and young adults from the point of pregnancy through their child's third year. Young parents are offered pre-natal and childbirth education, parenting education, support, and referral to community resources with a focus on the health and well-being of each mother, father, and child. Parents are assisted in making positive changes in their lives for the benefit of their child, their families, and themselves.
Last year alone 304 people were served through the program.
To learn more about the OUR PLACE program click here, or call 647-2244.
MANCHESTER RESIDENT HONORED FOR VOLUNTEERISM
MANCHESTER, NH July 3, 2007—New Hampshire Catholic Charities (NHCC) has announced the first recipient of its “Guardian Angel” award. Richard Bunker, a resident of Manchester and Vice President at A.G. Edwards was honored on June 14, 2007, for his years of dedication to NHCC and the community at-large.
“We created the Guardian Angel award to honor someone who has shown extraordinary support of New Hampshire Catholic Charities or one of its specific programs,” said Thomas Blonski, NHCC President and CEO. “We felt Dick was the perfect recipient of the inaugural award, given his many years of leadership service on the Board and his strong advocacy of New Hampshire Catholic Charities.”
Bunker played a pivotal role in the success of February’s NHCC Mardi Gras fundraiser, which raised $34,000 for statewide emergency assistance. He has served as a member of the NHCC Board of Directors since 1989, holding the position of Trustee for many of those years. In addition to his NHCC Board duties, Bunker donates a great deal of his time to the New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of the New Hampshire Catholic Charities.
The “Guardian Angel” award will be given at the NHCC annual Board of Directors meeting each June.
A MISSION OF HOPE: NEW HAMPSHIRE CATHOLIC CHARITIES IN NEW ORLEANS
On Sunday, October 29, 2006, a group of volunteers and staff from New Hampshire Catholic Charities arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their mission was to provide help and create hope for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina barreled into the Gulf Coast causing catastrophic effects on New Orleans as well as parts of Mississippi. In the aftermath, we were faced with images of devastation, destruction, and the loss of many lives. Unfortunately, images do fade away from the media coverage and we can often forget that rebuilding communities that were entirely destroyed takes a long time and a lot of dedication.
Altogether, eleven people volunteered to spend a week working on homes and buildings that had been damaged by the hurricane. Through the collaboration with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the group worked with Christopher Homes, a program of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, to clean out apartment complexes that were devastated by the flood waters. The group was placed at Villa St. Maurice, in the lower 9th ward, which had witnessed over five feet of water in the first floor of the building. The structure, no longer inhabited, needed the entire first floor gutted.
For days, volunteers smashed holes in walls and tore the mildewed, ruined sheetrock from the studs as others removed the debris from the structure and hauled it to the growing mounds along the street.
For now, Villa St. Maurice remains silent and empty. The inhabitants have long since left their apartments and most of their life-long belongings behind, which is true of many of the communities throughout New Orleans. Houses still stand vacant, damaged, and even destroyed. Families still remain displaced. Communities still stand empty, waiting for people to return and though the city is starting to come back and many have begun to rebuild, there is still so much that needs to be done.
Every day, New Hampshire Catholic Charities helps people in need who face difficulties. As an agency with a mission to heal, comfort, and empower, that is precisely what the group of volunteers did during their time in New Orleans.
A special thank you to the following volunteers for their dedication - Tom Blonski, Len Campbell, Marc Cousineau, Roland Driscoll, Sr. Kathleen Haight, Bob Kuhl, Mike Lehrman, Bill Matulevich, Shannon Nourie, Tony Poekert, and Deacon Dick Shannon.
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