New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp (NHMB) pledged $2,510 to Lakes Region Child Care Services (LRCCS) in support of its playground expansion at the organization’s Early Learning Center in Belmont, NH. This is one of 20 awards presented by NHMB to non-profit agencies, and is in addition to the $50,250 raised for Granite United Way.
“I’m pleased our employees voted to send this contribution to such an excellent organization like Lakes Region Child Care, who have nurtured millions of children since its inception almost 50 years ago,” said Sam Laverack, President and CEO of New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp. “I am very grateful to the generosity of NHMB and delighted to receive this donation on behalf of Lakes Region Child Care,” said Marti Ilg, Executive Director of LRCCS. “Research indicates that comprehensive early childhood education and play improves the cognitive and social-emotional functioning of pre-school children, which positively influences their readiness to learn in a school setting. It’s wonderful to have received this support for Belmont Early Learning Center.”
The curriculum at Belmont Early Learning Center is child-initiated and teacher framed. New materials are introduced and teachers encourage and stimulate new learning according to the children’s interests. Teachers are guided by the seven domains of the NH Early Learning Guidelines and grounded by Creative Curriculum. Belmont Early Learning Center is located at 24 Eastgate Park Drive in Belmont.
NHMB made a dollar-for-dollar match to the organization’s employee contribution of $50,250 to Granite United Way, and distributed the funds evenly among 20 non-profit agencies selected by employee vote. The following 19 non-profits also received donations: Boys and Girls Clubs of Central NH, CATCH Neighborhood Housing, Central NH VNA & Hospice, Circle Program, Concord Family YMCA, Concord Regional VNA, David’s House, Genesis Behavioral Health, Granite United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Laconia Area Community Land Trust, New Beginnings, NH Food Bank, NH Humane Society, Pope Memorial SPCA, Red Cross, Riverbend Community Mental Health, Salvation Army and Second Start.
Founded in 1967, Lakes Region Child Care Service offers high quality and affordable childcare services for children, from 6 weeks to 14 years, of low- to moderate-income families. LRCCS programs offer developmentally appropriate pre-academic, enrichment activities, and promotes healthy eating and active living by serving nutritious meals and snacks in all programs. Currently, more than 400 children from 28 towns within the Lakes Region are enrolled in LRCCS programs. For more information about LRCCS, visit lrchilldcare.org.
New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp, a mutual holding company, was formed in 2013 when two New Hampshire-based community banks, Meredith Village Savings Bank and Merrimack County Savings Bank, formally affiliated – the first relationship of its kind in New Hampshire. This strategic partnership has positioned the Banks to leverage each other’s strengths as they work together to advance a shared vision of maintaining and enhancing their community banking standards and values. MillRiver Wealth Management joined as a third subsidiary of NHMB in 2015, combining the financial advisory divisions of MVSB and The Merrimack.
Photo Caption (left to right):
Back row – Sam Laverack, President and CEO, New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp, Erica Brough, Director, Belmont Early Learning Center, Mike Moyer, Board President, Lakes Region Child Care Services and Marti Ilg, Executive Director, Lakes Region Child Care Services. Front row – Phoenix Nicholson (age 5), Stephen Tautkus (age 8 months) and Dierks Cicchetti (age 4).
