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NHFRW has been and is involved in many community activities supporting our troops wherever they may be and helping those in need in our state, community and neighborhood. If you would like to get involved in one of these community service projects please contact the community service chair responsible for that project. SRW 2006 Community Affairs Highlights In the words of Ronald Reagan, "The spirit of volunteerism is deeply ingrained in us as a nation." He was right. Our organization made a tangible and significant difference in many lives this year. In New Hampshire, the Seacoast Republican Women began the year in February, paying tribute to our military veterans during 'Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week" at the Manchester Veterans Administration Hospital. We sponsored refreshments to veterans and their families. In March during Red Cross blood drive month we mobilized SRW members to give blood throughout the seacoast communities. In May, during Memorial Day weekend, SRW showed their appreciation for our military men and women who sacrificed their lives by contributing to the American Legion of Hampton, Post 35 Memorial Fund. In June, we joined forces with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Exeter Cancer walk. We remembered our friends and families by dedicating luminaries along the pathway. Also in June, SRW responded to the call for help from the recent flooding disasters in our state. We sent money to the Community Action Programs in Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford Counties helping the victims affected by the floods. In July, we collaborated with Bridges of Learning organization. We collected school supplies for the children and teachers of Afghanistan. In August, we helped the Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network organization with school supplies for disadvantaged children in our local communities. In addition, throughout the year, we supported the President's 'No Child Left Behind' program to help children have skills in reading and access to books. We collected donations of over 250 children's books and distributed them to local organizations like Families First, Richie MacFarland Childrens Center, and the Exeter Hospital Pediatric department. September was Literacy month and we supported our First Lady's initiative, the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries. We made a contribution towards the purchase of new school library books to help the children in the Gulf Coast region. September was also United Way of the Greater Seacoast Day of Caring month. Day of Caring is an event where our members helped the Seacoast Hospice of Exeter collating and stuffing several thousands of mailings for their fundraising efforts. We ended our year at the Annual Christmas Luncheon with members donating toiletry supplies to our men and women serving in the Middle East. As Community Affairs Chair, I want to thank all members for volunteering. We will continue to develop opportunities to volunteer. I feel it is important to network and strengthen our relationships with other organizations. Big or small, we are committed to serving our communities by improving the quality of life of so many. Corinne Armstrong, Chair Community Affairs Committee Souhegan Valley Community Service SVRW Healthcare Project: A new SVRW committee was created last summer to explore ways to bring existing community resources together to address local healthcare issues. The committee identified two key issues: 1. a shortage of trained healthcare providers 2. a need for student education regarding entry level options in healthcare professions. In an effort to address both the SVRW committee has initiated a collaboration with the Souhegan Valley Boys & Girls Club of Milford to facilitate programs to educate middle and high school students about entry level healthcare careers. A five week Career Exploration Program was just completed at the Boys & Girls Club with 5 different healthcare professionals donating their time to inform students about their fields. SVRW plans to build on this beginning throughout the coming year. Planning is also underway to create a scholarship for students completing the Career Exploration Program who wish to pursue a healthcare career. Community Service contact is: Jeanne Cummings 673-8849 jmeagher@aol.com Nashua Area Federated Republican Women's Community Service In January, 2006 the GNFRW choose to provide support for the CareNet Pregnancy Center. CareNet exists to show compassion to women experiencing a crisis pregnancy and present them with information on their options. They do not provide abortions or give referrals for abortions, though education is available on the risks of those procedures. NAFRW collects and delivers new baby items or monetary donations to the center to be used as incentives in their "earn while you learn" program. To learn more go to www.care-net.org. Community Service Contact is: Cristin Dobroski 537-9295 |