Miracles from Mimi honors late mom's legacy and helps schools: 'I'm sure she's smiling'

Angeljean Chiaramida
·4 min read

STRATHAM — Kathy Megna was a stay-at-home mom who understood that one of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is a good education, so she worked tirelessly, volunteering at the North Hampton School to help whenever an extra effort was needed.

Known to family and friends as Mimi, her model is the basis for a new educational foundation for the greater Seacoast region. Incorporated in March by her oldest son, Mike, Miracles from Mimi is her family’s tribute to the mom they lost last year after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

“I’m one of four; there’s my sisters, Allie and Molly, and my younger brother, Luke,” said Mike Megna, who now lives in Stratham. “We all grew up in North Hampton going to the North Hampton School. My mom’s whole life was devoted to kids and her community. She was heavily involved in the school.”

Kathy Megna, 59, died last year after a battle with breast cancer. Her family has started a new nonprofit in her honor called Miracles from Mimi.
Kathy Megna, 59, died last year after a battle with breast cancer. Her family has started a new nonprofit in her honor called Miracles from Mimi.

When North Hampton School underwent its expansion, Mimi Megna took on fundraising. When the children needed an outdoor play area, she was there again, as was Megna’s dad, Mike, who used his building experience to coordinate its construction.

When she died in 2021 at age 59, the family was devastated. But from her example, the family hopes to carry on her work in schools throughout the greater Seacoast, offering programs, through Miracles from Mimi, to get kids thinking.

Affordable high-speed internet:Exeter High grad behind startup offering service to Hampton Beach

Miracles from Mimi to provide enrichment programs to schools

“Our mission is to provide enrichment opportunities to kids in the local community that enhances their curriculum learning in school,” Megna said. “It’s a way to provide more tools for the schools.”

Megna did his homework beforehand, speaking with school principals to see what they need most. Megna learned speakers and school assemblies can get kids excited about learning and applying the skills they have learned in the classroom. Unfortunately, finding funds for speakers and assemblies isn’t always easy. And that’s where Miracles from Mimi comes in.

The kind of programs the foundation provides could include social awareness or establishing goals, he said, or other inspirational topics.

“We’d like kids to look forward to these enrichment programs every year,” he said.

To do that takes money, and Megna has a fundraising plan already in place, which includes three special events each year.

“In the spring, we’re planning a flight night with cocktails and a nice dinner,” Megna said. “In summer, we’re planning a 5K road race in Stratham. And in fall, it will be the Purple Paddle Golf Outing.”

More:Cinnamon Rainbows owner 'embracing life' after near death. Burned shop has new home, too.

The group already held its first Purple Paddle Golf Outing – so named because Mimi loved to paddle board – and it was a rousing success, he said, with 80 golfers and 20 sponsors raising more than $41,000.

“We will be using these funds to initiate our Miracles from Mimi Speaker Series, which will help provide speakers to schools on various topics leading to enhanced enrichment,” Megna said. “We have two schools committed thus far, set to go live with the series in December and January, and we are actively seeking more.”

Miracles from Mimi held its first fundraising event in October. The Purple Paddle Golf Outing – so named because Mimi loved to paddle board – raised more than $41,000.
Miracles from Mimi held its first fundraising event in October. The Purple Paddle Golf Outing – so named because Mimi loved to paddle board – raised more than $41,000.

Registered with the state of New Hampshire as a nonprofit corporation, the foundation already received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service, Megna said, so contributions to it are tax-deductible.

The group has a fully functioning and secure website at miraclesfrommimi.com. It describes its cause and includes pictures of Kathy “Mimi” Megna.

Clicking the “take action” listing on the menu across the top of the webpage provides ways people can help, either by volunteering their time to help with one of the special events or by contributing to the cause.

Megna said losing his mom was an enormous loss, not only to his dad and siblings, but for his own three children and the community his mother served so devotedly. Fostering this new foundation in their mother’s image, however, has given the family a sense of purpose.

“It’s been fun, though it’s bittersweet because she isn’t here,” Megna said. “But it keeps her close. I’m sure she’s smiling.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: North Hampton family honors mother's legacy with Miracles from Mimi