2nd Annual Bounce Out Hunger, November 8th, 2-4pm

bounce-uOn Sunday, November 8th, from 2:00-4:00 pm Bounce U in Bedford will host the 2nd annual Bounce Out Hunger FUNds and Food Drive!

Admission to Bounce U is $10 per child and $5 per adult.  100% of the admission fees will be donated to the New Hampshire Food Bank.  Please bring canned vegetables as well to help us feed the hungry this holiday season.

Don’t forget to bring socks!  They are required to bounce on the equipment.

For more information, call Bounce U at (603) 621-4011.

Reflections Fashion Show to Benefit CHaD and FIT

It’s almost here! The annual REFLECTIONS FASHION SHOW  is Thursday, October 15, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Bedford High School – to benefit Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and Families in Transition.
 
Tickets are $50 each. 
 
Alapage, Junz, Harley Davidson and Real Bodies boutiques are being featured with many cool outfits and many different sized models of all ages. 
 
There will be hors d’oeuvres, a DJ and emcee, cash bar, goody bags chock full of great stuff, silent auction and tons of fun.
 
Please get your ticket for Thursday’s event and come out to support CHaD and FIT!
 
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here…>

YWCA Manchester launches Own It campaign

image001YWCA Manchester has joined with the YWCA USA national office and other local YWCA associations around the country to launch Own It, a national grassroots campaign that invites Generation Y women, ages 18-30, to engage in community service on behalf of women.  The campaign will also partner with young women to advocate for the YWCA’s priority policy issues, including racism, gender discrimination and economic empowerment for women.   

“During the next year, YWCA Manchester will partner with these smart, compassionate young women and provide opportunities for them to be involved with our key issues and community services,” said Katie Schelzel, Director of Youth and Community Services. “As the nation’s oldest and largest women’s organization, the YWCA has continually reached out to new generations of women to provide critically important services to at-risk women, especially those who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, are homeless or in need of job skills training.”

In communities around the country, the YWCA will reach out to Gen Y women on college campuses, at community colleges and trade schools, and in faith communities and employers’ offices to connect them with volunteer service opportunities. To launch the campaign, YWCA Manchester is starting a Junior Board of Directors who will act as the Advisory Board for YWCA Manchester programming.  Selected candidates will gain valuable experience regarding non-profit structure and management, business processes, and community needs and responses. 

Both partners in the Family Education Collaborative, YWCA Manchester will provide students at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester (UNH-M) with opportunities for research, outreach, and service. YWCA Manchester’s programs and activities promote social responsibility in all women in the community. In 2009, YWCA Manchester and UNH at Manchester received the 2009 Presidents’ Community Partner Award from the Campus Compact for New Hampshire for their partnership and work with students.

Last year, YWCA Manchester proudly served over 4,000 people in the surrounding region.  YWCA Manchester recognizes the importance of fostering social, emotional and academic growth in young girls, offering several youth programs, which include an after school program, snow day and summer programming, a life skills course, and Peer Action Changing Tomorrow (PACT) training. YWCA Manchester also provides parents and caregivers with resources to raise healthy families and provides free and confidential crisis services to support victims of domestic and sexual violence. 

At the campaign’s new Web site, www.ywcaownit.org, and on the YWCA’s new Facebook fan page young women are encouraged to share their stories about issues that matter to them, and to send in photos, videos, and stories to illustrate their community service projects, volunteer work, and other activity with the YWCA on behalf of women.

The YWCA is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. “We are demonstrating our continued commitment to American women by reaching out to this new generation of young women – the nation’s future leaders – by ensuring we are listening to their concerns and hopes for the future, as well as working together with them to improve our community,” said Schelzel.

The YWCA Manchester is a non-profit organization that provides social services, advocacy, education and leadership development programs, and racial justice initiatives. The YWCA Manchester has proudly served Manchester and its surrounding regions since 1920.

For more information about the YWCA’s Own It campaign, please visit www.ywcaownit.org.

Support the NH Food Bank

groceriesWMUR-TV Channel 9 reported in this morning’s newscast that the NH Food Bank is at its lowest level in 25 years.

“The shelves are just about empty at the food bank. A six-day supply of food is left to distribute to the state’s 392 food pantries, which are opening up at an alarming rate.”

The economy is tough on all of us, but even tougher on those who do not have enough money to put food on the table.

WMUR also reported that the NH Food Bank has never experienced a shortage of this magnitude in its 25 year history.

I visited the NH Food Bank website first thing this morning to make a donation. Please remember that every little bit helps. There are many ways you can help just visit their site and click on “how can I help” for more information.

I hope that my family will never need the services of this dedicated organization, but I know that I have neighbors and friends who are having a hard time during this economy. It is my responsibility as well as yours to help out whenever possible so that these resources will be there if our situations change.

On behalf of the NH  Food Bank and Neighbors Helping Neighbors, thanks for your support!

Barrington Bikes 2009

barrington-bikes copyThis biking event is being held September 26, 2009 to Support the Strafford County Homeless Shelter and the Barrington Food Pantry. Lunch will follow the ride. You’ll find additional information on the Registration Form. There are events for all riding skill levels. Don’t want to ride? See Sponsor Information for other ways to support this event.

  • WHERE:First Congregational Church of Barrington, 219 Route 9, Barrington NH 03825
  • WHEN: September 26, 2009 starting at 8:30 AM
  •  WHY:  Raise awareness and funds for the Barrington Food Pantry and the Strafford County Homeless Shelter

  WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:    

Ride the BARRINGTON BIKES event

  • 40 Mile Route
  • 25 Mile Route
  • Family Route

Sponsor event teams (funds to help defray cost of the ride)

  • FOOD TEAM (Contact: Elizabeth Landry 664-5252)
  • REGISTRATION TEAM (Contact: Margaret Landry 664-5252)
  • PUBLICITY TEAM (Contact: Jolyn Janelle 335-8655)
  • ROUTE TEAM (Contact: John Landry 664-5252 or Michael Fitts 664-7793)
  • FUN TEAM (Contact: Ann Kost 868-2245)

Donate to the Food Pantry or Homeless Shelter

 COST PER PERSON:

  • Family Route Riders – $0 (Does not include lunch or a T-shirt)
  • 40 and 25 Mile Riders – $20 (Includes lunch)
  • Lunch – $10 (6 years & over) $5 (5 years & younger)

One complimentary T-shirt per 25 or 40 mile rider for registration forms received by August 24th.

Registration forms are available at local businesses and on www.ourfccb.org. For more information, please contact Nick Landry at (603) 664-5252.