NASHUA, NH – June 18, 2008 – At its 78th Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation tonight, United Way of Greater Nashua announced it is investing more than $3.4 million in the community this year, and paid tribute to several outstanding companies, collaborators, and volunteers who help United Way improve people’s lives.

United Way leaders also cited innovative partnerships that are helping transform United Way from a fund-raising entity to an organization that works with many groups to create lasting change in community conditions.

United Way Chairman James S. Chaloner, pastor of the First Church of Nashua, said United Way’s enhanced collaborations with several partners during the past year have yielded progress on initiatives such as workforce housing, substance abuse prevention, and a brand new statewide information and referral call center.

“Together, we can accomplish so much more than any one of us could alone,” Chaloner said. Specifically, he cited:

1. Collaboration with the Greater Nashua Workforce Housing Coalition, New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, and local housing developer Etchstone Properties, which leveraged an opportunity for 20 first-time buyers to receive a $20,000 discount toward the purchase of a townhouse or single family home. United Way also awarded grants totaling $75,000 to permanent and transitional housing programs that served close to 200 people.
2. United Way’s management of a two-year, $644,000 state grant for substance abuse prevention, and formation of a broad-based coalition that is working on a regional prevention plan.
3. 2-1-1 New Hampshire, a statewide information and referral hotline that anyone in the state can call toll-free for information about social services. A collaborative effort among all 10 New Hampshire United Ways, 2-1-1 NH is housed at Public Service of New Hampshire’s state-of-the-art call center and also is supported by Citizens Bank Foundation, Exeter Hospital, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and the State of New Hampshire.

 

The 150 supporters in attendance at the Radisson Hotel Nashua also heard a report about United Way’s partnership with Youth Venture, which included a presentation by the Pure Water Vending team from Merrimack High School. The team received seed money from United Way to launch its bottled water business, which raises awareness about the lack of clean water in some parts of the world and invests a portion of its profits in water filtration systems for families in developing countries.

“The common thread through all these collaborations is that everyone can be part of the effort to make our community a better place to live,” Chaloner said. “We can advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. For example, our entire community benefits when families are financially stable and can afford to live here.”

United Way continues to work with local agencies on funding effective programs that address community needs. Through its General Fund, United Way is investing in 30 local health and human care programs this year. When combined with donor designations to agencies, as well as grants to other human service programs, United Way will distribute more than $3.4 million in funding this year.

Such investment in our community would not be possible without the support of many donors, large and small, and United Way recognized several firms for their achievements during the 2007-2008 campaign.

The “Heavy Hitter Award” was presented to companies that raised at least 1 percent of United Way's campaign total. Award recipients were (in alphabetical order): Anheuser-Busch, Inc; BAE Systems; Bank of America (lead sponsor of the dinner); Cityside Management Corporation; Intel Corporation; Kollsman, Inc.; Monarch Instrument; Nashua Corporation; Public Service of New Hampshire (a dinner sponsor); St. Joseph Hospital; Shaw's Supermarkets; and UPS.

United Way also recognized nine small and medium-size firms that make a consistent effort and steadily produce good results. The “Spirit of Caring Award” recipients were (in alphabetical order): Courville Communities; Diacom Corporation; Hamblett & Kerrigan; Hannaford’s – Hudson; Hannaford – Nashua; Hendrix Wire & Cable; JC Penney; MacSteel Service Centers USA; and Ocean Bank.

At a business meeting prior to dinner, Rev. James Chaloner of the First Church of Nashua was elected as Chair of the Board; John P. McStravock of Best Practices in Human Resources Management, as Vice Chair; Daniel Munroe of Presstek, as Treasurer; and Edward J. Zraket of BAE Systems (Retired), as Secretary. Newly elected to the Board of Directors were: Jamie Pappas of Monarch Instrument; Grace Pereira of Citizens Bank; and Kevin Slattery of Etchstone Properties.

United Way of Greater Nashua seeks to improve people’s lives by creating lasting changes in conditions that affect the 11 communities in its service area. United Way collaborates with local businesses, government, nonprofits, faith-based groups, and individuals to define and address the most pressing problems. At the same time, United Way continues its tradition of helping area residents meet basic health and human service needs by supporting innovative programs that have positive, measurable outcomes.

 

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