October 13

February 12, 1999
IT'S A TOUGH JOB, BUT THESE PEOPLE LOVE IT
United Way Funds Distribution Volunteers Start 1999-2000 Cycle

(Merrimack, NH) -- It's what makes United Way unique, and it starts this week.

The Funds Distribution Process brings together United Way donors from the community to decide how the money raised in the annual campaign will be distributed among participating agency programs. Citizen Review Panels begin meeting this week to review 60 agency program proposals in the areas of food/clothing/shelter; protective services; early childhood and dependent care; community services; health; and youth, family and elder services.

"It's now much easier to see the link to the end-user since United Way began funding agency programs rather than just the agencies themselves," says Sue Murphy, Director of Human Resources at Unitrode Corp. in Merrimack, who has served on the Citizen Review Panels for 10 years. "I truly believe it's a worthwhile cause and believe the steps our local United Way has taken to increase accountability are so beneficial to our community. "

Kenneth R. Ferron is Vice President of Administration at Covenant Health Systems, a United Way Board member, and has chaired the Funds Distribution Division for United Way since 1996. He attributes the dedication of volunteers like Ms. Murphy to the feeling of accomplishment one gets from serving on the panels, "This process enables people from all walks of life in our community to make a difference."

United Way volunteers determine the most pressing needs in the community through a separate Community Needs Assessment and then the Citizen Review Panels use that information to make informed funding decisions as a consensus. "It's really democracy at work," says Ferron.

Sanders, a Lockheed Martin Company and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center are tied with seven panel members each. Other companies represented by panel members include: Unitrode Corporation with four members; Citizens Bank with three members; BankBoston, Hamblett & Kerrigan, Kollsman, and PSNH each with two members. The following companies' employees are also represented on the panels: Anheuser-Busch; Bank of New Hampshire; Birchwood Counseling Associates; Chemfab Corp.; Diacom; Dynamic Research; Fidelity Investments; First Consulting Group; Gagne Insurance; Lyra Research; Merrimack School District; Melanson, Heath & Co.; Monarch Instrument; Nashua Regional Planning Commission; PC Connection; Rockingham Regional Ambulance; Sadler Insurance Agency; Sears, Roebuck & Co.; Shaw's Supermarkets; and Vectron.

United Way of Greater Nashua supports programs operated by 26 local health and human service agencies serving the communities of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, and Wilton.

April 12, 1999
TOADSTOOL BOOKSHOP RAISES $2,003 FOR UNITED WAY

(Merrimack, NH) - Through a special two-day promotional event, The Toadstool Bookshop in Milford contributed a percentage of its total sales to United Way of Greater Nashua. The event, held on April 2nd and 3rd, raised $2,003 for United Way-sponsored programs in the greater Nashua and Souhegan Valley area.

Last year, The Toadstool Bookshop's United Way promotion raised $850.

The Toadstool Bookshop in Milford is located on Route 101A at Lorden Plaza. The shop also has locations in Peterborough and Keene.

United Way provides assistance to programs supported by 26 health and human service agencies in the 11 communities of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, and Wilton.

September 13, 1999
UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN CHAIRS TEAM UP TO REACH GOAL
$2.1 Million Sought for Beginning of 21st Century

(Merrimack, NH) --United Way's board of directors has announced that for the fifth consecutive year, three campaign co-chairs will lead the organization to its local fundraising goal. Scott G. Comstock, Rodney S. Hansen, Jr. and S. Kelley MacDonald will head up this year's campaign with the commitment of raising $2.1 million in the 11-community area served by United Way.

Scott Comstock, General Manager at ControlAir in Amherst is taking a lead role in the campaign this year. Rod Hansen, plant manager at Anheuser-Busch in Merrimack and S. Kelley MacDonald, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Unitrode in Merrimack join Comstock to head up the campaign cabinet. All three currently serve as United Way board members.

Comstock, a resident of Amherst, joined United Way's board of directors in 1998. He is featured in the 1999-2000 campaign video, "Building a Caring Community." ""I enjoy being part of this team approach as well as taking up the challenge to raise $2.1 million locally. Our greatest resource is the number of area businesses who welcome United Way in their workplace and allow us to make presentations that show where their gifts are being used. In turn, we as United Way are able to provide program funding to the organizations making our community a stronger, healthier place to live and work."

Hansen, a resident of Amherst, joined the board of directors in 1993 and currently serves as the Board Chair. He has run a successful United Way campaign at Anheuser-Busch since 1986.

S. Kelley MacDonald has been a board member since 1995. This is her third year as a campaign chair.

United Way's fundraising campaign runs through December. Its 11-community service area includes Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua and Wilton. For more information on United Way or its campaign, please call 603-882-4011.

October 13, 1999
UNITED WAY AWARDS SIX VENTURE GRANTS
by Ellin Carroll, Telegraph Publishing Company

(Merrimack, NH) --United Way of Greater Nashua awarded six venture grant requests, totaling $48,900.

Daniel J. Guerrette, Director of Human Resources at Kollsman, Inc. and Chair of the Venture Grant Committee said, "These six programs meet our criteria of testing or developing new concepts or finding new solutions to human care problems."

Marguerite's Place will receive $18,000 to provide a formal program of support for women and their children who have graduated from Marguerite's Place. This program will include childcare assistance, help securing reliable transportation, and rental assistance.

$12,500 will be awarded to Rape & Assault Support Services for a supervised visitation center that will allow court-referred families to interact in a non-threatening environment.

Home Health & Hospice will receive $7,500 to assist in the introduction of complimentary therapies into routine health care for the agency's clients. Therapies will include acupuncture, acupressure, Reiki, nutritional services, guided imagery, chiropractic care, massage therapy and music therapy.

Nashua Youth Council will utilize a grant of $5,000 to help fund a program entitled, "Teenpower - Changing our Community through Volunteerism." This program will provide positive alternatives to "hanging out" and prepare youth for adulthood.

Daniel Webster Boy Scout Council will receive $3,000 for a program focusing on Fairgrounds Junior High School students at risk of dropping out of school. The program will provide challenging outdoor experiences and reinforce the value of education and a positive attitude.

The remaining $2,900 will be granted to Greater Nashua Council on Alcoholism for the partial salary of a Latino outreach staffer to work with an estimated 45 clients.

Agencies are required to make quarterly reports to United Way detailing how the funds are being used. United Way of Greater Nashua serves the communities of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua and Wilton.

October 13, 1999
UNITED WAY OF GREATER NASHUA ANNOUNCES NEW PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

(Merrimack, NH) -- Crotched Mountain Community Care, Inc. and Southern NH HIV-AIDS Task Force have been admitted as United Way participating agencies. Participating agencies are eligible for program funding from community campaign resources and may receive donor designations.

"These two agencies are important additions to United Way," said United Way president Donald J. Mattise, "the organizations are addressing particular needs of the community and are active in the pursuit of building a stronger, healthier community, we look forward to their increased participation with United Way." Applications from these agencies were reviewed based on relevance to community need, fiscal controls and agency management.

Crotched Mountain Community Care, Inc. serves greater Nashua through its Foster Grandparents program. This program focuses on one-to-one continuing relationships between elders and children. The program is designed to bring low-income seniors together with children that have special or emotional needs. The intergenerational model provides individualized attention to a child.

Southern NH HIV-AIDS Task Force was founded in 1991 and currently serves approximately 140 individuals. Their mission is to increase the quality and availability of knowledge, services and resources in all matters relating to HIV infection and AIDS in the southern New Hampshire region. The agency also conducts programs at area schools and organizations.

In addition, Against All Odds, a cancer patient advocacy organization located in Nashua, has been recognized by United Way as an affiliate agency. Affiliate agencies are eligible to receive designations from the annual United Way campaign.

United Way provides program funding to local health and human services organizations serving residents in the towns of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua and Wilton.

November 1, 1999
UNITED WAY ASSISTS HURRICANE VICTIMS

(Merrimack, NH) -- United Way of Greater Nashua's board of directors voted to provide a grant to aid victims of last month's Hurricane Floyd. Scott J. Wade, treasurer of American Red Cross Greater Nashua and Souhegan Valley Chapter and chief financial officer of Cornerstone Software, Inc. in Nashua, accepted a check for $5,000 presented by Rodney S. Hansen, Jr., volunteer chairman of United Way's board of directors and plant manager at Anheuser-Busch in Merrimack.

Hansen called the decision to fulfill the request most gratifying. "We would like to think United Way is known for its ability to help where help is needed most, including crisis situations," he said. "Red Cross came to us with a request for emergency assistance through the provision of food, clothing and shelter. We, as an organization, recognized the need for action in order to assist families in the aftermath of this disaster." Hansen explained that while United Way typically funds preventative programs in our immediate area, the Red Cross request was an exception to the rule. "The devastation caused by Floyd in the South prompted our response. We'd like to think that other United Ways around the country would step up to the plate if there were ever a natural disaster in our area."

Robert Scheifele, the Red Cross chief of operations for disaster services recently returned from a two-week stint as a shelter manager in Virginia. "It's the epitome of what the Red Cross does," he said. "Our people are highly trained, we descend on a disaster and it all falls into place. It is so rewarding to be able to do this for people thanks to help from organizations like United Way."

Barbara Bedard, interim executive director of the local Red Cross chapter, called the funding indicative of United Way's commitment to the community. "We knew that United Way was one of the only organizations equipped to handle such a request. For them to have granted us this assistance during the middle of their annual campaign truly shows how dedicated they are to building communities, including in times of crisis."

The flooded regions of 15 states will cost over $25,000,000 in relief efforts. To date, the American Red Cross has sheltered and fed over 250,000 people in 1,100 shelters, primarily in 5 states.

United Way of Greater Nashua serves the communities of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua and Wilton.

November 17, 1999
UNITED WAY VOLUNTEERS GATHER
FOR 1999-2000 CAMPAIGN PROGRESS REPORT

(Merrimack, NH) -- United Way of Greater Nashua volunteers gathered tonight to update the 1999-2000 fundraising campaign. United Way campaign volunteers, board members, and agency representatives heard a progress report from United Way board member and Campaign Co-Chair Scott Comstock of ControlAir in Amherst.

"Reporting $1,045,889, we are at about 50 percent of our $2.1 Million goal," said Comstock. "We have been getting some very positive returns, but we still have a way to go to reach our goal. We cannot be complacent with these results, because reaching the campaign goal means United Way will be able to provide funding to critical programs in the 11 communities United Way serves. When we come in at or above our goal, those agencies will in turn provide support, care, shelter, food, clothing, counseling, protection, and many other services that people in despair absolutely need."

Special mention was made of Sanders, A Lockheed Martin Company, which has reported $420,000 in contributions. "Sanders is an integral part of our community and a very important funding source for many of the health and human service agencies in the Greater Nashua area," said Comstock. "We are grateful that Sanders management has stepped up their emphasis of leadership giving ($1,000 or more) and have had a most generous response from their employees. Their campaign is well underway and should be concluded next."

United Way of Greater Nashua serves the communities of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua and Wilton.

November 17, 1999
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT COMPLETED
"Greater Nashua Measures Up" Report to be Distributed Locally

(Merrimack, NH) -- The 1999 Community Assessment is complete and will be distributed locally within the next several weeks. The Community Assessment is a collaborative effort of local volunteers and organizations committed to making a difference in their communities. The objective of the assessment is to review the health and human care needs of the residents in Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua and Wilton. A 19-member steering committee managed the assessment process from the initial organizational stage to planning the study and supervising the completion of the final report.

Southern New Hampshire Medical Center; Sanders, A Lockheed Martin Company, Weisman, Tessier & Lambert and United Way of Greater Nashua in cooperation with Partnerships for Healthier Communities supported the 1999 Community Assessment process.

The last comprehensive needs assessment was conducted in 1996. Health issues continue to figure prominently among the top community issues identified in the telephone survey portion of the assessment. Five of the top ten issues are health related -- affordable medical insurance, affordable medical care, affordable dental care, drug use and alcohol use. Other issues that figure prominently in the entire study include affordable housing, affordable childcare and transportation. Many other important issues are covered in the report.

" Daniel J. Guerrette, United Way board member and chairman of the community assessment committee, was pleased with the results of the study. "Through our steering committee and our varied research methods, we have attempted to reach different segments of the population. I think we have been successful at sensing the pulse of our community," he said.

The steering committee included Betsy Abrahams, Nashua Youth Council; Dolly Bellavance, City of Nashua; Philip Boivin, Select Energy; Pamela Hicks, Southern NH Services; Cindy Howe, Sanders, a Lockheed Martin Company; Charles Katsohis, Bicentennial Elementary School; Ann Larney, Office of NH Attorney General; Jay Minkarah, Town of Merrimack; Mary Nelson, Divine, Millimet & Branch; Marie Ross, Nashua School District; Susan Sanders, Melanson Heath and Company; Andrew Singelakis, Nashua Regional Planning Commission, Mike Soucy, Nashua Police Department; Mary Thompson, Nashua Resident; Mary Vallier-Kaplan, Partnerships for Healthier Communities; Terry Williams, The Telegraph; Maryse Wirbal, Nashua Pastoral Care Center; and Brian Young, Nashua Center for the Multiply Handicapped.

Several techniques were used to gather information for completing the project. A telephone survey of area residents was administered in December 1998. Area health and human service agencies, religious organizations and local government were asked to complete a survey similar to that asked of households. Health status, crime, economic and other statistics collected by the State of New Hampshire and information from the 1990 Census of Population and Housing, the Teen Assessment Project of Nashua School District and Partnerships for Healthier Communities' neighborhood surveys were analyzed to document health and social trends.

The results and recommendations of the 1999 report will be used by local agencies and organizations for issue documentation in grant applications; by community groups for guidance in the choice of service projects; and by United Way in prioritizing its resources in order to make the greatest impact on pressing human care problems of the 11-community service area. The results have been published in a report that will be distributed to local companies, United Way donors, schools, libraries, government officials, and non-profit agencies.

Those wishing to receive a copy of the report should contact United Way at 882-4011.