1. The 11th annual Tower of Toys initiative collected approximately 1,000 unwrapped children’s toys and raised more than $20,000 to benefit children and families served by local nonprofit organizations: Dover Children’s Home, Friends of Aine, Friends of Forgotten Children, My Turn, Nashua Children’s Home, New Generation, Roca Kidz Club, Spaulding Academy & Family Services, Walk with a Child, and Webster House. The monetary donations were also split evenly and given to these organizations. Left to right: Doug Martin, Colliers; Joyce McKenney, Spaulding Academy & Family Services; Kenny Craig, Flexecution, Inc.; and Amanda Wihby, Red Arrow Diner.
2. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) of New England has named The Granite YMCA its Community Tennis Association of the Year and has been selected as a USTA Premier Pilot site. This declaration includes a funding grant of $2,500 and four tickets to this year’s U.S. Open, free registration to the U.S. Professional Tennis Registry and Professional Tennis Registry world conferences. Pictured from The Granite YMCA: Karen LeClerc, tennis instructor; Dave Brown, tennis director; and Tom Meighan, tennis instructor.
3. Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) recently purchased $20,000 in tax credits through the NH Community Development Authority to support the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests’ fundraising campaign to renovate the 1884 Carriage Barn as a new program and event center, which will be known as the Forest Society North at The Rocks. Pictured, from left, Jason Hicks, EVP and chief financial and risk officer for NH Mutual Bancorp; Marcus Weeks, MVSB President; Jack Savage, Forest Society president; and Anne Truslow, Forest Society VP of development.
4. The Boys & Girls Club of Manchester (BGCM) has chosen their 2021-2022 Directors of the Year, members of the organization’s board of directors that display outstanding leadership and commitment to the nonprofit’s mission. Honored this year are Ken Senus of St. Mary’s Bank (left), George Tzimas of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (second from right), and Ed Murphy of Amoskeag Beverages (right). Also pictured is Diane Fitzpatrick, CEO of BGCM.
5. The Gene Haas Foundation donated $30,000 to Nashua Community College to be used by students — ranging from $500 to $2,500 per student — in the Precision Manufacturing, Mechanical Design Technology and Mechanical Engineering programs. Pictured, from left: NCC lab assistant Jim Hayes, student Jake Sciacca, Department Chair Doug Howe, student Nathan Browne, Program Coordinator Mark Dodge; students Dan MacQueen, Jim Sullivan and Kevin Polneau; and HAAS Sales Engineer Michael Pickett.
6. Seacoast Science Center (SSC) has been selected as a 2022 recipient of a New England Museum Association Excellence Award, chosen for their new exhibit, “Our Dynamic Gulf of Maine: A Place of Urgency and Hope.” The exhibit showcases the delicate relationships between humans, local water habitats and the world as the Earth faces climate change. Visitors are encouraged to think critically and act pragmatically in ways that will improve the long-term health of our planet’s oceans.
