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Parents: The Unsung Heroes
March 2009
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| Dear Friends: |
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On February 19, I was honored to welcome Governor Lynch and a packed room of special guests to the Second Annual Unsung Hero Parent Recognition Awards Ceremony where we recognized 28 exceptional parents, one for each day of February. This year's honorees were nominated from all regions of New Hampshire and were selected for recognition by last year's awardees. As a group they reflected the diversity of our population and the values and traditions that make New Hampshire a wonderful place for children and families.  Peirce Hunter and daughter Sonia with Governor Lynch
The New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund is an organization committed to supporting individuals and non-profits that keep children safe and families strong. Our honorees recognized on February 19 epitomize these values. In the room we had fathers and mothers, single parents, grandparents, adoptive and foster parents. There were parents of children with disabilities, and parents whose calling is to advocate for the underserved and at risk in our communities. We had home schooling parents, school volunteers, sports coaches, and mentors. Each dedicated parent recognized is an inspiration to their children and to their peers, and all richly deserved the honor they received.
This newsletter highlights these parents and we thank all parents for the everyday things they do, large and small, that make their job the most important job around. |
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Sincerely,
Peirce Hunter, Board of Trustees Chair
New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund
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2009
Board of Trustees
Deborah Chase, Gilmanton
Melissa Correia, Vice Chair, Manchester
Senator Peggy Gilmour, Hollis
Representative Anne Grassie, Rochester
Courtney H.G. Herz, Esq., Hopkinton
Peirce Hunter, M.D., Chair, Bow
Kristina Ickes, Candia
Audrey Knight, ARNP, Hopkinton
Senator Bette Lasky, Nashua
Representative Betsy McKinney, Treasurer, Londonderry
Representative Karen Sandra Matheson, Hooksett
Lynne Bartlett Merrill, Past Chair, Ex Officio, Kingston
Malcolm Smith, PhD, CFLE, Durham
Brenda Tibbetts, Colebrook
Staff
Karen H. Carpenter, MA, JD
Executive Director
Diane Hastings, MS
Special Projects Director
Julie Day, BS
Parent Advocacy Director
Valerie Quinn, BA
Administrative Assistant
Sabrina Harris, BA
UNH Masters Intern-Parent Advocacy |
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28 Parents Honored
in a Ceremony with Governor Lynch |
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February Declared Parent Recognition Month
On February 19, twenty-eight parents, one for each day of February, were honored as Unsung Heroes in a ceremony with Governor Lynch for the exceptional jobs they are doing as parents every hour of every day.
This award is to honor parents across New Hampshire for the remarkable things they are doing to strengthen their families and their communities. Visit our website to view more photos from the event.
2009 Unsung Heroes:
Heather Brown, Pittsfield
Brian Stickney, Franklin
Pamela Bormann, Conway
Linda Jacques-Mitchell, Franklin
Jessica Smith, Lancaster
Kellie Fourgere, Exeter
Felicia Farland, Manchester
Rebecca Colpitts, Monroe
Joyce Addison, Seabrook
Sylvia Dow, Enfield
Mary Edwards, Nashua
Sarah Shanahan, Portsmouth
Tracie-Ann D'Amico, Laconia
Steve Negron, Nashua
Alisa Macone, Londonderry
Mark Kennedy, Amherst
Susan Cheney, Campton
Winston R. Churchill, Northfield
Joan Lafferty, Nashua
Carol Boudreau, Nashua
Susan O'Brien, Seabrook
Cherly Bourassa, Concord
Carolyn Stewart, Keene
Keith Marsh, Grantham
Cherith Marsh, Grantham
Carol Comeau, Gonic
Carrie Baker, Manchester
Nancy Pynchon, Manchester
Excerpts from a few nominations:
Alisa Macone: Alisa is a loving mom of four, a foster mom, and adoptive parent. Her generosity is shown in volunteer efforts within the community. Her husband wrote, "The world is a brighter and better place because Alisa exists."
Brian Stickney: Brian, "Mr. Mom" is dedicated to his wife and three children. He is playful with his children, compassionate with feelings and has a terrific sense of humor to keep his wits about him. He understands and rises to the challenge of meeting the emotional and physical needs of his children and family...
Joan Lafferty: (seen with Governor Lynch autographing her cast) Joan has been an inspiration to many as she continues daily to reach out to others in need. A year ago, Joan and her husband Tim lost their youngest son at the age of 20 to Muscular Dystrophy. Joan continues to encourage her oldest son (who also has Muscular Dystrophy) and those around her with grace. She is a woman who reaches out unconditionally to all around her and has taught her boys nothing is impossible...
Cheryl Bourassa: Cheryl is always finding ways to connect and include others...she is coaching daughter Jenna's Destination Imagination Team...is dedicated to getting adopted daughter Jenita the support she needs to work through issues of loss and separation...and works closely with several refugee families...to be able to offer children in these families experiences they would not otherwise have...going to summer camp at Owen Farm, dance classes, going to open gym, playing at her home with her daughters...
Carol Comeau: Carol's daughter Janet wrote: "My mom is the most amazing mom in the world. She is truly a gift from God and has made me into the mom I am today." After Janet's son had a stroke and was diagnosed with Moyamoya Syndrome, Carol has become a rock of support for her daughter and a very active grandmother in the lives of Janet's other two children while Janet spends time at her son's side at the children's hospital in Boston. (no photo is available) |
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Play Ball !
Bid for 4 Box Seats to NH Fisher Cats Game!
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 Four box seat tickets to any New Hampshire Fisher Cats home game during the months of April and May 2009 will go to the highest bidder (date based upon availability). Email us to place your bid. Highest bid received by close of business on April 1 will win these tickets! Celebrate Spring with your family! View the Fisher Cats April and May schedule of games. |
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The Campaign to Get Scholastic to
Put the Book Back in Book Club |
 It's hard enough to keep the commercialism out of our homes with the aggressive marketing to our children through the television. Schools should be a place where children are free of the onslaught from this consumer culture.
A colleague and parent of a second grader recently sent us the following email highlighting a campaign driven by The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood:
Hi Friends-
So it isn't just me who cringes every time the Scholastic book order form comes home!
I signed on to the Campaign to Get Scholastic to Put the Book Back in Book Club and sent a letter (convenient through the web link) to Scholastic and asked them to sell books and only books.
I love the Scholastic prices. I just wish they'd get back to basics. I tend to put the book order right into the recycling bin because I don't want to look at all the "stuff" which is what usually catches my daughter's attention - the stuffed dog, stickers, necklace...
All in all, this is a pretty interesting listserv. They also hold a worst toy of the year contest. Results came out last month. Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Barbie won.
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Economic Crisis Puts Children at Risk
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We know that parental resilence is one of the protective factors that create strong families. Parents who can cope with the stresses of everyday life, as well as an occasional crisis, have resilence. Financial stressors such as unemployment, poverty, and homelessness may reduce a parent's capacity to cope effectively with the typical day-to-day stresses of raising children.
The following is a excerpt from an article by Marian Wright Edelman that appeared in the St. Petersburg Weekly Challenger (read the full article by clicking here):
"In the middle of all the headlines and 24-hour news reports about the economic crisis, one critical story is just beginning to be told. Four days after Christmas, the Washington Post ran this article: "Child Neglect Cases Multiply As Economic Woes Spread.'' In the article, area child welfare workers talked about the noticeable rise in the number of child abuse and neglect investigations. Many of the new neglect cases were connected to families trying to make do without heat, electricity or necessary medical care, like asthma medications and other basic needs..."
"Now the threat is even greater as child abuse and neglect together becomes one more indicator of how Americans are responding to the current pressure, stress and insecurity.
Action is needed at all levels."
Read more about preventing child abuse and neglect from the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
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"When you look at your life the greatest happinesses are family happinesses" --Joyce Brothers
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Give the Gift that Gives Twice! |
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  St. Patrick's Day, Birthdays, Bereavement...
To Show You Care... When remembering loved ones with flowers or gift baskets, support child abuse prevention in New Hampshire through an ongoing FTD promotion.
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The New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund was established in 1987 by legislative statute RSA 169-C:39 to support programs in New Hampshire that work to prevent child abuse and neglect. Our focus is primary prevention initiatives that keep children safe and families strong.
To find out more about our programs and partners, go to our website at www.nhctf.org
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