1. Plymouth State University staff and students raised $8,500 during its Out of the Darkness fundraiser event to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) New Hampshire Chapter. Students and university organizations gathered together to walk or run a 5K to garner donations for the Foundation, which helps to raise awareness and much-needed funds for those affected by suicide.
2. The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce (GDCC) has announced the winners of their 2022 Annual Awards Gala: Educator of the Year, Erica Cooke, a math teacher at Oyster River High School (ORHS); Citizen of the Year, Noreen Biehl; Nonprofit of the Year, Hope on Haven Hill; Business of the Year, Martineau Electric; Community Arts Champion, Rebecca Proctor; and Community Impact Award, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. The Chamber’s $1,000 Student Scholarship recipient is Eva Guerrette, an ORHS alumni, currently a freshman at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Pictured from left: Sean Peschel, ORHS; Margaret Joyce, GDCC; Layne Case, AMITY Publications; Erica Cooke, ORHS; Heather Stanley, ORHS; and Rebecca Noe, ORHS.
3. The Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) presented its annual Commissioner’s Disability Champion award to Smiths Medical in Keene at a ceremony on March 29. Smiths Medical is a global manufacturer of medical devices and works with Monadnock Worksource to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Pictured, from left: Joseph Doiron, director of the NH Office of Workforce Development; Prasad Venkataraman; Debbie Willett; and Jonathan Tomachick.
4. The first phase of renovations was completed at Peabody Place in Franklin to create a more inclusive community for assisted-living residents. After phase two, the 63,632-square-foot facility will be more than double its original capacity and include 45 assisted living apartments, 13 memory care apartments and 16 independent living apartments. Pictured here: Franklin Mayor Jo Brown, Peabody Place Chair of the Board of Directors Chris Seufert and Engelberth CEO Pierre LeBlanc.
5. NHTrust has provided a $1,000 sponsorship to the Maps Counseling Services Wellness Festival to support fundraising efforts for their Hope and Healing Fund, which provides financial assistance to uninsured or under-insured clients, so they can seek quality mental health care options. Pictured here, left to right: Mike Rafferty, SVP, senior trust officer for NHTrust; Bethann Clauss, executive director of Maps Counseling Services; and Becky Barrett, Maps Board Member.
6. The Seacoast Culinary Challenge raised $163,325 for the Wentworth-Douglass Foundation Annual Fund, which supports programs and projects across the hospital that enhance patient care and overall wellness. The event was hosted by Mary Ann Esposito, creator and host of Ciao Italia on PBS, and Evan Hennessey, owner and chef at STAGES at One Washington in Dover. Pictured left to right: Challenge Champion, Chef David Vargas; Chef Julie Cutting; Barbara Hughes; Jeffrey Hughes, president and CEO, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital; Chef David Crinieri; and Chef Jay Curcio.