Holiday collection for the homeless, First Night logo unveiled: Community news update

Portsmouth Herald
·4 min read

Holiday collection for the Homeless Center for Strafford County

ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Events Committee announced a holiday collection to benefit the Homeless Center for Strafford County. The chamber is collecting donations for those in need.

Donations may be dropped off at the Chamber of Commerce located at 18 South Main St., in Rochester through Dec. 15, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Items can also be dropped off at the Holiday Tree Lighting event being held on Friday, Dec. 1, at 5:30 p.m. in Central Square, Rochester. Look for the red sleigh near the Parson Main statue.

Items needed: Advil, allergy meds/Benadryl, antibiotic ointment, children’s Tylenol, cold medicine for adult and children, cotton balls, napkins, rubbing alcohol, paper towels, peroxide, powdered creamer, sugar, Sweet ‘n’ Low/Equal/Splenda, tissues, toilet paper, trash bags and Tylenol.

For information, call the chamber at 603-332-5080 or visit rochesternh.org/collection.

Random Acts of Kindness group fills 38 bags for the homeless

The Random Acts of Kindness group at Cocheco River Estates filled 38 Bags Of Hope to give to the homeless people in Rochester.
The Random Acts of Kindness group at Cocheco River Estates filled 38 Bags Of Hope to give to the homeless people in Rochester.

ROCHESTER — The Random Acts of Kindness group at Cocheco River Estates filled 38 Bags Of Hope to give to the homeless people in Rochester. Each bag contained non-perishable items such as  food, toiletry items, gloves, and stockings. The Random Acts of Kindness group made winter hats for each bag.

Pro Portsmouth unveils First Night Portsmouth 2024 Logo

The artwork chosen for First Night 2024 was created by Kelly Goodwin.
The artwork chosen for First Night 2024 was created by Kelly Goodwin.

PORTSMOUTH — Pro Portsmouth unveiled a new First Night Portsmouth logo for the celebration on New Year's Eve with a Portsmouth-themed snow globe design.

The artwork chosen for First Night 2024 was created by Kelly Goodwin.

(Second place went to Carolyn Vibbert, and third to Alexa Baryiames, PHS graphics class.)

In partnership with Blue Dolphin Screenprint & Embroidery, Pro Portsmouth will feature an online, on-demand First Night shop. Merchandise, including long sleeve T-shirts and sweatshirts, will be available for pre-order, and ready for pickup or mailing in December.

Sponsors, donors, and underwriters are also being sought to support the event as well as the annual program of events. The organization needs to raise $20,000 in order to fund the ice sculpture, fireworks, and police/safety detail.

“Over the years, First Night Portsmouth has become another destination event on the Seacoast,” says Executive Director, Barbara Massar. “We are able to attract and entertain not only our friends and neighbors, but people who travel from all over the country to spend the holidays with us, enjoy the city. But in order to keep the event on the calendar, we need everyone’s support.”

For information, visit proportsmouth.org or call 603-433-4398 Ext. 3.

Portsmouth nonprofit ‘stepping up’ with holiday help for kinship caregivers

Since 2019, Step Up Parents has provided financial assistance and other support to more than 500 families caring for children whose parents are struggling with substance use disorder.

Now, the Portsmouth-based nonprofit is once again stepping up to lend a hand, delivering a $50 Walmart gift card to every family it served in 2023 — in time for the holidays.

Launched in 2019, the organization’s gift-card program has generated over $27,000 for caregiver families — many of which are taking on a significant financial burden.

This year’s sponsors include Service Credit Union (Portsmouth branch), Bangor Savings Bank (Portsmouth branch), Meredith Village Savings Bank (Portsmouth and Rochester branches), NH Trust, Lexi Leddi Real Estate and St. Mary’s Bank.

For information about Step Up Parents, visit stepupparents.org.

Portsmouth celebrated Veterans Day with ceremony

Portsmouth High School band members frame Mayor Lister, Lt. Col McMaster, Mayor McEachern, VFWPost 168 commander Josh Denton and Rev. Day.
Portsmouth High School band members frame Mayor Lister, Lt. Col McMaster, Mayor McEachern, VFWPost 168 commander Josh Denton and Rev. Day.

PORTSMOUTH — Joshua Denton, commander of VFW Post 168, hosted the Veterans Day commemoration in Portsmouth with a wreath-laying at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument in Goodwin Park on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Lt. Col. Taylor McMaster, an Army Special Forces officer who served the first half of his career on active duty and now serves in the National Guard was guest of honor and featured speaker. LTC McMaster is a 4th generation Portsmouth resident, received his commission from University of New Hampshire Army Reserve Officer Training Corps, and deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. The commemoration included a welcome by Mayor Deaglan McEachern, an invocation by veteran Rev. Day, the National Anthem led by veteran and former Mayor Robert Lister and music by the Portsmouth High School Clipper band.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Holiday collection for homeless, First Night logo: Community news