Nashua Nonprofits Honored

Ten years of helping nonprofits that focus on social concerns was the theme of the Community Partners Luncheon held on April 5 at the .

The officials in attendance, from many different communities across the state, represented 45 nonprofits named Champions in Action by and WMUR-TV. They received nearly $1 million during the last decade, in addition to promotional and public relations support. Across the country, the program has donated more than $6.5 million in support to nonprofits.

Nashua organizations named Champions in Action include: Marguerite's Place, Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, Nashua Symphony Orchestra, Nashua Youth Council, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Nashua.

Joe Carelli, the president of Citizens Bank of New Hampshire, said the luncheon was both a celebration and a way of saying “thanks” to so many of the nonprofits that make the state a safe place to raise a family and a better place to live. He said in order to get the program underway, the bank needed to partner with people and organizations, like the nonprofits and WMUR-TV, which helped expose the program to the public. It helps the bank fulfill its mission, Carelli added, with clients, customers, and the nonprofits.

“As I drive myself home each night, I ask myself if I’ve made a difference,” he said. “And the way that we’ve taken that philosophy and really shared it with our colleagues and citizens, is ask each and of us to think every day if we’ve made a difference.”

Gov. , D-Hopkinton, commended the organizations, saying that they worked just as hard as for-profit businesses, if not harder. For-profits, Lynch said, get to choose their customers, which products they want to sell, and at what price, in order to make money. Nonprofits, however, have to serve anyone who needed help while developing a volunteer network that sustains an organization, he said, often without the financial support.

“I think in lots of ways, your job is much more difficult, managing the organizations you do,” he said. “Because of what you do, a lot of people are a little bit better off.”

A panel discussion was also held, moderated by Melinda Davenport, an anchor and reporter with WMUR-TV. Representatives of three nonprofits – The Mayhew Program, More Than Wheels, and AHEAD – talked about how important the program was, how the donations helped the organizations move forward, and how the media exposure helped educate the public about the programs.

Attendees viewed a video montage of highlights from television segments about past Champions and enjoyed music provided by faculty at the Manchester Community Music School, another organization that was a Champion in Action.

For more information about the program, visit citizensbank.com/community.