The MVSB Fund at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has awarded $113,400 to area nonprofits. The Charitable Fund contributions include 25 grants, totaling $99,400, to assist agencies with their individual needs. The remaining $14,000 will 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.
“Community support has always been a central part of our mission,” said Rick Wyman, President of Meredith Village Savings Bank and Charitable Fund Trustee, “and we’re very proud to be able to offer this support to the organizations that provide so many wonderful services and resources to the communities we serve.”
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, 294 grants totaling $1,184,467 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 MVSB Charitable Fund recipients are:
Ashland Elementary School of Ashland was awarded $10,000 to purchase and install new playground equipment, which will replace existing equipment that is outdated and in poor condition.
Boys & Girls Club of Central New Hampshire in Laconia was awarded $4,000 to help purchase an industrial refrigerator and freezer. This will allow the organization to store frozen meals provided by the New Hampshire Food Bank that will be used to serve hot dinner meals to members and their families.
Bridge House Ladders Thrift Shop of Plymouth was awarded $5,000 to expand their thrift shop to provide more storage and display space for donated furniture. All proceeds from the store benefit the Bridge House Shelter and Veteran’s Center.
The Circle Program of Plymouth was awarded $1,500 to provide scholarships to local fifth-grade girls to participate in the program’s three-week residential summer camp.
FBI National Academy Associates of New England was awarded $5,000 to support a 4-day retraining session for area law enforcement this summer. The training will focus on the strategy and tools necessary to build upon or rebuild moral in local law enforcement agencies.
Friends of Carroll County Adult Tutorial Program of Tamworth was awarded $2,500 to help defray the cost of tuition and High School Equivalency Test fees. The program provides local adults the classes and guidance needed to obtain a High School Diploma and pursue secondary education opportunities.
Gilford High School Robotics Team of Gilford was awarded $5,000 to contribute to program expenses for the team’s inclusion in the 2016 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.
Granite State Adaptive of Mirror Lake was awarded $ 5,000 to purchase equestrian safety equipment for their riding program, which provides therapeutic and recreational horseback riding opportunities to disabled children and adults.
Kidworks Learning Center of Meredith was awarded $5,400 to install an energy-efficient heating and cooling unit in their pre-school classroom. The new unit will help them better maintain the classroom temperature and reduce energy costs.
Kingswood Youth Center of Wolfeboro Falls was awarded $5,000 to purchase fitness equipment to complete their Outdoor Fitness Project. The project will provide a space for fun, healthy outdoor recreation for local youth.
Lake Winnipesaukee Association of Meredith was awarded $2,500 in support of the organization’s floating classroom project, a hands-on and informative program that is designed to teach local students about lake ecology and the issues threatening Lake Winnipesaukee.
Lakes Region Girls Softball of Laconia was awarded $3,000 to help purchase new batting helmets for several age groups in their youth softball program.
Lakes Region Public Access Television (LRPA) of Laconia was awarded $1,500 to help fund the AccessAbility project, a program that will be used to train future producers and allow the organization to loan out field equipment that trainees can use to create their own content, which can then be cablecast locally.
Little Church Theater of Holderness was awarded $1,500 for the purchase of lighting and sound equipment to improve the production quality of theatrical presentations at the seasonal community theater.
New Hampshire Jobs for America’s Graduates (NH-JAG) of Manchester was awarded $5,000 in program support to help the organization continue to provide year-round academic and employment services to disadvantaged youth in Laconia. NH-JAG specialists meet with students one period per day to provide education and support services that encourage the development of leadership, employment and communication skills.
North Country Resource Conservation and Development Council of Meredith was awarded $4,000 to help fund the Action Plan to Develop Institutional and Commercial Markets for Lakes Region Farmers led by local farmers.
Pemi Youth Center of Plymouth was awarded $5,000 to support their after school program, which provides Plymouth area youth a safe and supportive place to make new friends, gain positive role models and participate in fun and educational activities that help them build confidence and expand their interests.
Pemi-Baker Community Health of Plymouth was awarded $2,500 to purchase aquatic equipment, including weights and floats, for their aquatic fitness programs.
Pemi-Baker Literacy of Plymouth was awarded $1,000 to purchase a new printer. Pemi-Baker Literacy offers free one-on-one tutoring and small classes in reading, writing, math, English as a 2nd language, preparation for the High School Equivalency Exam and basic computer skills.
Perform It! Young People’s Stage Company of Wolfeboro was awarded $2,500 to put toward the organizations scholarship fund, replenishment of costume footwear, and to help secure a new location for theatrical productions.
Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center of Laconia was awarded $5,000 to provide scholarship assistance to children of low-income families to attend Fledglings Preschool, a fully licensed, nature-based preschool program.
Sandwich Historical Society of Sandwich was awarded $2,500 to install durable shelving and purchase museum quality garment bags, boxes and racks for storage of their textile and costume collection.
Skatepark of Plymouth was awarded $5,000 to help complete phase II of the Skate Park of Plymouth, a free recreational resource that is open to youth of all ages.
Speare Memorial Hospital of Plymouth was awarded $5,000 in support of the hospital’s fundraising efforts to enhance their breast cancer screening technology to include 3D imaging. This technology provides greater accuracy, resulting in an increased likelihood of early detection of breast cancer, fewer call-backs for additional imaging, and a reduction of unnecessary biopsies.
Thompson-Ames Historical Society of Gilford was awarded $5,000 to complete essential repairs to preserve the roof, chimney and exterior of Gilford’s historic Benjamin Rowe House.
2016 MVSB Fund Grant Applications
The deadline for consideration for the next grant cycle is October 15, 2016. Applications are available on the Bank’s website and at all MVSB offices.
