Seacoast Women's Giving Circle passes $1 million mark in donations: Community news update
Seacoast Women's Giving Circle celebrates $1 million raised
The Seacoast Women’s Giving Circle awarded grants for 2022 to two local nonprofit organizations at its annual Give Event celebration at the Museum of New Art in Portsmouth. One additional grant was awarded following the event, which also marked the organization’s $1 million milestone of collective giving over the past 16 years.
Totaling $110,000, the awards this year will support area nonprofits working to address Women’s Equity, the 2022 topic of focus selected by the SWGC board of directors. According to board chair Heidi Hanson, “Women’s Equity was our chosen topic this year having learned how disproportionately women were affected by disruptions the pandemic brought to all aspects of life in our community.” Area nonprofits were invited to submit grant applications in January 2022 for work that focuses on a systemic approach to change that will help positively impact women’s equity throughout the Seacoast community.
Selected to each receive $50,000 were the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. Additionally, Community Loan Fund received a $10,000 grant. “Our members helped us reach – and then exceed – our most ambitious annual fundraising goal ever,” said Hanson. “When we learned we had surpassed $100,000 in donations this year, we were excited to be able to provide an additional grant to Community Loan Fund, our runner-up grant applicant finalist.”
Since its inception in 2006, the SWGC has been committed to improving the quality of life in the region through collective giving and grassroots action. It supports nonprofits that provide services in or to the residents of Seabrook, Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Rye, Portsmouth, New Castle and Kittery, Maine.
Elefson is Girl Scout Volunteer of Month
ROCHESTER – Making sure girls have opportunities to travel, camp, and become entrepreneurs is part of most Girl Scout leaders’ goals, but one local leader has gone even further, taking training on youth mental health and sharing that with her community. Michelle Elefson has been recognized for that work by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains as its Volunteer of the Month for July.
Elefson, 58, of Rochester, leads Girl Scout Troop 10366, a group of nine Girl Scout Ambassadors in grades 11 and 12.
“Michelle supports the community as new leader mentor and shares valuable information at monthly meetings specifically for the new leaders,” said Amanda Powell, volunteer support specialist for the council serving girls across New Hampshire and Vermont. “The community primarily utilizes the club house where Michelle resides to hold their monthly meetings, which Michelle coordinates for the community. She has also been a great support in getting specialized training out to the community, including partnering with council to offer Youth Mental Health First Aid training in 2020.”
“As our girls are growing up and entering high school, we became aware of a huge need in our community for mental health supports and services,” said Elefson. “Kids are facing things we weren’t prepared for - there’s so much turmoil in their world these days. I needed to do something to support them.”
Every week for a year, she and her co-leaders, Beth and Charlee, brought to their Girl Scouts at least two new ideas they could use if feeling stressed or overwhelmed. That included concepts like mindfulness, journaling, drawing, aromatherapy, taking a shower or bath, and more. Girls were urged to keep the list of what works for them. She also made sure the girls had her phone number and each other’s, making it clear they could call her anytime of the day or night.
One time, a girl called Elefson asking for help, and when she responded the girl had clearly been crying and was in crisis. They talked about different things she could do with her situation.
“We set things up so she was in a better position. She was more prepared to go home and move forward. We made a few phone calls, put a few things in place.”
Elefson will often send a text to someone she sees having a hard time, just making sure they’re OK.
“I’m grateful that these Scouts feel comfortable coming to myself or my co-leaders,” she said. Girl Scouts has to be a safe place. As they get older, they need that no-judgment zone.”
She encourages others to consider volunteering for Girl Scouts. “Girl Scouts opens a lot of doors and provides a lot of opportunity,” she said. “It helps our kids be well rounded. It gives them supports and services.”
She said her Girl Scouts have developed friendships that will stay with them and made so many memories.
“I’m grateful for Girl Scouts, for the opportunities it has provided me,” she said. “And my daughter.”
For more info, visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
Ways to give to Portsmouth400
PORTSMOUTH – Fund-raising for the year-long celebration of Portsmouth’s 400th anniversary is in full swing and the members of the team are encouraging everyone to join in supporting the efforts to commemorate this landmark occasion.
The Portsmouth NH 400 Development Team is cultivating donations from major sponsors and expects to announce soon the companies already on board. But they also want to make sure that everyone feels invited to participate at any level.
Donations of $400 and $1623 will put donors into two clubs. the NH Shoalers 400 Club and the 1623 Revolutionaries Club, and give them special benefits.
Benefits of being a NH Shoalers 400 Club member include recognition in the Portsmouth NH 400 Commemorative book, on the PortsmouthNH400.org website and a window cling to post notice of your support.
The benefits of becoming a 1623 Revolutionaries Club member include: recognition in the Portsmouth NH 400 Commemorative book and a complimentary copy of the book, social media and Portsmouth NH 400 e-newsletter posts, recognition on the PortsmouthNH400.org website, a unique logoed wearable and the window cling.
To make a donation online via the secure City of Portsmouth payment portal, go to portsmouthNH400.org and click on “Donate Now” button. To make a donation by mail, make the check payable to Portsmouth NH 400th. Inc. and mail to City of Portsmouth, 1 Junkins Avenue, Box PNH400, Portsmouth, NH 03801. For more information go to PortsmouthNH400.org.
Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame to induct Dover’s Bill Behan
AKRON, Ohio – Long-time local and national Soap Box Derby volunteer official Bill Behan of Dover was selected as one of three inductees in the Class of 2022 Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame. They will be inducted on the evening of Saturday, July 23 at the awards ceremony following the 84th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron.
“The Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame was established in 1997, to recognize the significant contributions and efforts of individuals who have made it possible for the Soap Box Derby program to have an impact on the lives of young people throughout the United States and other parts of the world,” said Mark Gerberich, president and chief executive officer of International Soap Box Derby.
Behan, 69, first raced in the New Hampshire Soap Box Derby in 1966, and raced in the All-American championship two years later after winning the local New Hampshire race. He began volunteering the following year in Dover and has continued for more than five decades. During many of those years, he has been the local race and rally director, and has served as treasurer and vice president of the New Hampshire organization. Behan has been a member of the All-American’s A-Team at the world championships since 1995 and is responsible for the communication system connecting the starting line, finish line and run-out area. During races, he captures finish line photos of each heat on the computer system’s overhead camera. For decades he has mentored hundreds of boys and girls on the design and construction of their cars. His son Marc won the Junior Division world championship in 1986.
Behan retired as an electrical technician from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
For more information, visit www.soapboxderby.org.
Team of Seacoast volunteers helps resettle Afghan refugees
PORTSMOUTH – When Ascentria Care Alliance, one of the largest human service nonprofits in New England, committed to resettling 100 Afghans in New Hampshire last year, they knew they had to tap into the power of local communities for help. A group of 14 residents at RiverWoods Durham, a not-for-profit retirement community, was up to the task. They were joined by 35 people from surrounding towns, and formed Team Seacoast, a Neighborhood Support Team (NST) to operate on a volunteer basis and work in conjunction with an Ascentria case manager to provide support services like transportation, housing assistance, cultural orientation, and more, while giving Afghan families and individuals the time and space they need to heal.
On Jan. 14, 2022, team co-leaders Sudie Blanchard and Charlotte Ramsay met the family of six at Manchester Airport. Team Seacoast rented and furnished a four-bedroom house, and on Jan. 17, the family was brought to their new home, complete with a culturally appropriate meal.
There was much work to be done by Team Seacoast including enrolling the children in school, arranging medical appointments and providing transportation, showing the family where they could shop for clothing and food, helping the father find employment, and helping the family learn English. It has been five months since their arrival and they are settling in as new members of the Seacoast community. The two older children are doing well in elementary school, while the two younger ones enjoy joining their siblings when volunteers take them on trips to the Seacoast Science Center, Children’s Museum in Dover, and to the beach. The father is working at Market Basket. Volunteers are helping him improve his English and prepare for his driver’s license test. He is also learning how to manage family finances with a Team Seacoast volunteer. Another volunteer is helping the mother learn how to use a donated sewing machine. She has become accomplished at making placemats and table runners.
Team member Peter Rice, a retired Sergeant in the US Marine Corps, said, “When I heard that there was this organization whose mission was to settle Afghan families in the Seacoast, I immediately said ‘I’m in’. If this gentleman and his family had been left behind, who knows what would have happened to them. We can only speculate. That’s what motivates me.”
Speaking of the team’s experience, Charlotte said, “It’s been uplifting, inspiring, and yes, hard.” Her co-leader Sudie remarked, “We’ve had people from ten faith communities – churches, along with the synagogue and the local Islamic center — as well as the VFW and two rotary clubs. It’s been a way to bring a community together to help a family. It makes my heart happy. It truly does take a village”
Even local businesses have stepped up to help with donations. On their gift, Kathy Schirling, SVP, Director of Marketing and Community Services from People’s United Bank said, “Thank you to Ascentria Care Alliance for helping Afghan families and individuals resettle in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We are proud to join Ascentria and other community organizations and individuals to support this cause.” Other businesses have stepped up including RiverWoods Durham, Piscataqua Savings Bank, the York and Portsmouth Rotaries, C&J Bus Lines, Kiwanis Club of the Seacoast, DF Richard Energy, McKinsey & Co, and several places of worship.
If you would like to make a donation to support Team Seacoasts efforts, you may do so at https://bit.ly/TeamSeacoastAscentria . Funds will go directly into Team Seacoast’s account at Ascentria, and you will receive a receipt to be used for tax purposes.
You may view videos of Team Seacoast and community members as they speak of their involvement with welcoming new neighbors to their community.
· Charlotte and Sudie www.youtube.com/watch?v=69f1eI4mSeQ
· Peter Rice www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ993fhAESE
· Marc Sorel www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a2XOSbUwuE
· Elementary School Staff www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgVX5B7UWtc
Greenland announces 2022 Citizen of the Year
GREENLAND — Greenland’s 2022 Citizen of the Year was announced on June 23 at the opening of the town’s Summer Concert Series. Presented by Barbara Fleming and Carol Sanderson of the Greenland Women’s Club, the award was given to Jenna Raizes.
Raizes is an active volunteer with Greenland’s Recreation Department, the Greenland Parent Organization and the Greenland Women’s Club. Alongside her young family, she has contributed to the hosting of many events and various improvement initiatives since moving to Greenland.
Raizes hails from Weimar, Texas, and moved to New Hampshire in 2008 after playing Division 1 softball at the University of Memphis. She met Greenland native Charley Raizes in 2009 and the two were married in 2011. They returned to Greenland in 2018 where they now live with their two children, Ryder, 8, and Emilie, 4.
“My small-town roots, appreciation of my own parents’ volunteerism, and love of working with friends to create events that get people to smile make volunteering in Greenland something that I wholeheartedly enjoy,” said Raizes. “I’m thankful that our town’s administrators, police, fire and school leaders allow volunteers to take an active role in planning and executing initiatives and events for children, families, and all community members to participate in and enjoy.”
Raizes, whose husband is a detective with the Portsmouth Police Department, has successfully worked with the school, Town Hall staff, members of the Fire and Police Departments, to plan and complete rides throughout town by Santa and the Easter Bunny during the pandemic, as well as a Community Fun Run as part of Greenland’s 300th Anniversary last fall.
Raizes first joined the GPO in 2019 and took the lead on the Greenland Plays initiative to clean up and improve Greenland Central School’s playground. Working in conjunction with school leaders and student council members, more than $11,000 in donations was solicited from businesses and organizations in town. In 2020, a community-wide effort using the funds raised plus more than 160 volunteer hours, saw the grounds get weeded, resurfaced, and refreshed with paint, a GaGa pit, and more.
The 2022-23 school year will see many more improvements thanks to a generous donation from The Pattony Foundation, contributions from community members, and continued fundraising efforts, many spearheaded by Raizes.
“Jenna’s ability to anticipate and plan every detail for a large-scale event is beyond impressive,” Carolyn Prien, GPO president, said. “In addition to the fundraising, she led a gratitude campaign for the school faculty and staff last Thanksgiving and took the lead in planning this year’s School Reading Carnival that encouraged kids to read more than 200,000 minutes in a single month.”
With a softball and coaching background plus six years of professional, community-centric work with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Raizes took on organizing the Tee Ball program in Greenland. While the 2020 season was truncated due to the pandemic, in 2021 and 2022, the league opened to kids aged 3 to 6 years old. More than 120 children signed up each season, and in the Fall of 2021, soccer was introduced for 3- and 4-year-olds, too
“It’s fun for me to line the fields, set up equipment, provide nice uniforms and organize goodies—like Kona Ice of the Seacoast and free ice creams at McDonald’s—for the kids while keeping the registration fees as low as we can,” said Raizes. “I want participants to feel good while they play, laugh a lot, and come back to these activities or try new ones each season without families having to stress over the cost of registration.”
Members of the GWC were beyond thrilled when Jenna also decided to join their group. “Jenna appreciates what the GWC contributes to the community and wanted to be part of that continuity from one generation to the next,” says Carol Sanderson, GWC President. “Every year the GWC decorates the Town Bandstand for the holiday season, and this past year, Jenna organized the First Annual Tree Lighting Event, complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus. This girl is connected!”
“Thank you to literally everyone in our awesome community who listens (even when the ideas are crazy), volunteers, coaches, registers, cleans up, donates and supports our kids, local businesses, and community-building events,” said Raizes. “Let’s continue the awesome, small-townness of Greenland for many, many, many years to come.”
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast Women's Giving Circle, Greenland NH, Soap Box Derby inductee
