1. Last week, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan and Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman of the Small Business Administration traveled to Nashua to visit two New Hampshire small businesses: Monument Construction, a veteran-owned business that delivers nationwide construction services, and W.H. Bagshaw, a family-owned manufacturer. The purpose of the visits was to underscore the importance of congressional funding, how the businesses have utilized funds and the ways that they are continuing to grow their companies. Hassan remarked, “New Hampshire’s small businesses and entrepreneurs are at the core of our success — creating good jobs, serving as the backbone of our communities, and moving our state forward. I have been proud to work with the Small Business Administration to provide support to New Hampshire’s small businesses and will continue working to ensure that our businesses have the resources to thrive.”
2. The Born to Run Foundation made its 18th prosthesis donation of a running blade to Aiden Collyar, age 9, of Merrimack, who became an amputee after losing his lower right leg last year due to Rhabdomyosarcoma. Aiden’s running blade was presented to him at the Bionic 5K Road Race in Cambridge, Mass., by Femita Ayanbeku, paralympic athlete and board member of the Foundation, who was joined by Jason Lalla of Next Step Bionics and Prosthetics, Aiden’s prosthetist. Pictured, from left: Femita Ayanbeku, Aiden Collyar and Jason Lalla.
3. Meredith Village Savings Bank has given NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire a $6,000 donation, that will be used to support the organization’s homeownership education and counseling services. Pictured, from left: Paul McLaughlin, homeownership director of NeighborWorks; Denise Hubbard, mortgage loan program specialist NMLS #47515, MSVB; and Charlie Dowd, vice president, residential mortgage sales NMLS #737415, MVSB.
4. CASA of NH, a nonprofit that trains volunteers to advocate for children experiencing abuse and neglect, raised $400,000 at its annual fundraising gala, CASA Cares: An Evening of Giving for New Hampshire’s Children, held on May 6, which featured a live auction, wine and spirits grab, jewelry raffle and more. The money raised will help CASA reach its goal of having a trained advocate available for every child in New Hampshire who is involved in the child protection system. Pictured here: Marcia Sink, CASA of New Hampshire president and CEO. (Photo courtesy of Kendal J. Bush Photography.)
5. Meredith Village Savings Bank has become a $500 sponsor for the Opechee Garden Club’s upcoming garden tour on July 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s event theme is “Tea in the Garden” and, in addition to the tour, guests will enjoy artists, educational opportunities and a luncheon. Proceeds will benefit the Garden Club’s charitable efforts in the Lakes Region area. Pictured: Jessica Ruel, MVSB branch and business development manager (right); Jennifer Stone, MVSB teller supervisor (left); and Opechee Garden Club board members Judy Robertson (second left) and Hollis Thompson.
