1. Nursing students at Plymouth State University recently returned from a service-learning trip to a Navajo Nation reservation in Tuba City, Arizona, to better understand Native American and Navajo culture. Among other activities, students were given traditional Navajo meals, heard stories from native elders and volunteered to remove weeds from irrigation canals of the reservation’s cornfields.
2. Catholic Charities NH’s 18th Annual Mardi Gras Gala was held on Feb. 10 at Concord’s Grappone Conference Center. The event raised $222,000 in net proceeds from admission, sponsorships, donations, and live and silent auctions and raffles, all directly supporting the Catholic Charities NH programs. Those programs include case management, financial help and mental health counseling for mothers, families, children and seniors. Catholic Charities President and CEO Tom Blonski is pictured, sharing remarks during the Gala.
3. Plymouth State University recently honored Carol and Richard Gerken with the Richard E. Collins Medal for Distinguished Philanthropy — the fifth recipients of the award since its 2004 inception. The Gerkens, owners of Wingate Enterprises Consulting in Meredith, have supported PSU’s art, theater and capital projects. Carol is a 1967 PSU alumna, and Richard was an adjunct professor in PSU’s business program for 12 years. The award is named for the late PSU President’s Council member Richard E. Collins.
4. Keene State College (KSC) earned an All-Steinway School designation, meaning more than 90% of its acoustic pianos are Steinway. That also means Steinway pianos have been placed in all spaces on campus where pianos are used. The college is the first such higher education institution in the state to receive the designation, and only the second in New England — one of just over 200 institutions worldwide. Next month, KSC representatives and donors will tour Steinway’s factory in Queens, New York, to receive a new Spirio concert grand piano.
5. Meredith Valley Savings Bank (MVSB) purchased $5,000 in tax credits from the Communtiy Development Finance Authority to support the Business Alliance for People of Color (BAPOC-NH). The credits will support BAPOC’s capacity, momentum and sustainability for New Hampshire’s minority-owned businesses. Pictured left to right: David McMahan of MVSB; Will Arvelo of BAPOC; and Julie Clement and Jim Carrigan of MVSB.
6. McDonald’s locations across the state raised just over $50,000 in an October fundraiser supporting the NH Association of Chiefs of Police. The fundraiser, held Oct. 4, was launched by Amherst-based McDonald’s franchise organization The Napoli Group, LLC, whose staff own and operate McDonald’s locations in New Hampshire. Pictured: Leaders from McDonald’s corporate, Napoli and Gov. Chris Sununu presented the amount in the form of a check to the association on Jan. 4 at a McDonald’s location on Fisherville Road in Concord.
