We are pleased to announce that the MVSB Fund at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has awarded $99,075 to area nonprofits. The Charitable Fund contributions include 21 grants, totaling $85,075, to assist agencies with their individual needs. In addition, $14,000 will also be disbursed to area food pantries. These grants are in addition to the Bank’s many local contributions in the form of sponsorships, donations and scholarships, as well as the extraordinary volunteer efforts of its employees.
“The MVSB charitable fund was developed as part of our long-term commitment to investing in the communities and people we serve,” said Rick Wyman, Executive Vice President and CFO for Meredith Village Savings Bank and Charitable Fund Trustee. “Community support has been a central part of our mission since the Bank was founded in 1869 and we are thrilled to be able to provide this funding to deserving organizations each year.”
MVSB established the Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund in 1997 under the leadership of John Starrett who was then president and CEO of the Bank. Since then, 269 grants totaling $1,071,067 have been awarded to a wide range of environmental, social, educational, and historic projects throughout the Greater Lakes Region and Plymouth areas. Over the years, the Fund has supported literacy programs, after-school programs, environmental monitoring and education, restoration of historic structures, organizations that provide support for individuals and families in challenging circumstances, and equipment that helps save lives.
The recently-selected 2014 MVSB Charitable Fund recipients are:
Ashland Historical Society of Ashland was awarded $5,000 for the Whitten House restoration project. The goal of this project is to restore the historic Whitten House to showcase the layers of periods and use through which the house has survived. The building will be integrated into the Ashland Museums and the Ashland Elementary School’s local history curriculum providing a tangible experience to local students and providing a learning lab for regional and national preservationists.
Ashland Police Department of Ashland was awarded $3,800 to update an in car video recorder and purchase two body cameras for officers to wear on duty. Having quality video of incidents both aides in the conviction of suspects and provides training opportunities for officers to review and learn from real-life incidents.
Day Away Program of Bristol was awarded $2,500 to help support the salary of their RN Director. The Day Away Program provides a period of respite for the caregivers of eligible individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease or related type of dementia. The respite care is supervised by a paid, licensed Registered Nurse who oversees the care of participants and the volunteer companion caregivers.
Genesis Behavioral Health of Laconia was awarded $5,000 for the development of video, marketing collateral and database support. These resources will be used to obtain community support and awareness, engage prospective donors and investors and attract additional funding.
Gilford High School Robotics Team of Gilford was awarded $5,000 to contribute to program expenses for the team’s inclusion in the 2015 FIRST Robotics Competition program. This program promotes the learning of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering skills in a real world environment and provides students the opportunity to obtain college scholarship funds.
Gilford Youth Center of Gilford was awarded $2,500 to help support van rental cost and travel expenses for their summer day camp. The Gilford Youth Center will work in conjunction with the Gilford Community Church, Gilford School District and Gilford Got Lunch! to offer a 7-week summer day camp to Gilford Middle School students at free and reduced rates based on financial need.
Got Lunch! of Ashland and Holderness was awarded $1,000 to help support their summer lunch program. Got Lunch! is a community-based program that packs and delivers healthy lunches to the children in need during the summer months.
Great Waters Music Festival of Wolfeboro was awarded $2,000 to help support the creation of a High School Jazz Band Festival. The festival will take place in the Spring of 2015 and Jazz Bands from local high schools will be invited to participate.
Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center of Laconia was awarded $6,000 to support their Americorps Victim Advocate position. The Advocate plays a critical role in the nearly 200 child abuse investigations conducted at GLCAC annually; providing direct service support, referrals to community resources, continued contact with families, and community outreach through awareness trainings and presentations.
Inter-Lakes Day Care & Nursery School of Meredith was awarded $6,549 to install heat and sprinkler systems in a new second story addition that they plan to build next year. The addition will provide the space needed for an additional infant/toddler classroom to help meet increased demand for infant/toddler care in the Lakes Region.
Lakes Region Humane Society of Ossipee was awarded $5,000 to renovate attic space to create an indoor exercise and training room for dogs. The addition of this indoor space will allow for canine exercise during cold weather, the ability to conduct public dog training classes year round, and will allow for 1-on-1 training of shelter dogs with the goal of placing dogs in their forever homes faster.
Moultonborough Public Library of Moultonborough was awarded $3,700 to purchase six tablets to expand their technology education program for patrons. This grant will help the library meet increased demand for technology education and support and give library patrons a new method for accessing information and staying connected to family and friends.
New Beginnings of Laconia was awarded $5,000 to fund a new learning lab that will incorporate technology and trauma-informed advocacy to deliver comprehensive services to those whose lives have been affected by domestic and sexual violence in Belknap County. The learning lab will reduce the length of shelter stays, increase successful transitions from the shelter and increase the self-confidence and self-sufficiency of shelter guests.
Pemi Youth Center of Plymouth was awarded $2,500 to support their after school program, which provides Plymouth area youth a safe and supportive place to come make new friends, gain positive role models and participate in fun and educational activities that help them build confidence and expand their interests.
Sandwich Children’s Center of Sandwich was awarded $5,000 to obtain key tools, training, equipment and marketing materials necessary to develop an after school program for the community.
Samuel H Wentworth Library of Center Sandwich was awarded $5,000 to help uncover and restore the library’s barrel-vaulted ceiling, a key architectural and design feature of the historic building. Application of high-efficiency insulation between the ceiling and roof will help improve heating and cooling efficiency in the building, while the uncovering and restoration of the building’s gable end windows will bring in more natural light.
The Barnstormers Theatre of Tamworth was awarded $7,500 to support “The Living Classics” educational outreach initiative. This program supports the literary and artistic curriculum of local schools and gives Junior and Senior High School students the opportunity to develop an appreciation for American and World Literature as well as the spoken word in performance by connecting students to their literary and artistic heritage.
Transport Central of Plymouth was awarded $5,000 to help develop a regional travel-training program for Grafton County. This project will provide the needed outreach tools and education to connect community members with the appropriate transportation service for their needs.
Winnipesaukee Wellness Center (LRGHealthcare) of Center Harbor was awarded $2,000 to subsidize the center during periods when members are inactive due to medical needs. The center offers seniors of the Northern Lakes Region a safe place to begin and continue an exercise program to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.
Wolfeboro Nursery School of Wolfeboro Falls was awarded $3,726 for tuition assistance, field trips and teacher certification programs. This grant will help the nursery school continue to provide quality early childhood education while maintaining affordable tuition rates for local families.
Wright Museum of World War II of Wolfeboro was awarded $1,750 to help support the “Memories of World War II” Exhibition. This traveling exhibit created by the Associated Press contains 120 black and white photographs taken during the war by some of the finest photographers of the era. The iconic images of World War II will be displayed at the Wright Museum between July 12 and September 26, 2015.
2015 MVSB Fund Grant Applications
The deadline for consideration for the next grant cycle is October 15, 2015. Applications are available on the Bank’s website and at all MVSB offices.
