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2011 Unsung Hero Award Recipients
Marjorie Anagnos, Manchester
Margie is a single, adoptive parent of a child with emotional and behavioral challenges. With Margie's patient parenting and persistent advocacy, he has grown tremendously in his ability to show empathy and love for others. In addition, Margie has two adult children and often cares for her three grandchildren.
Chris and Megan Barker, Winchester Chris and Megan are working parents with three wonderful sons, the youngest with severe health problems requiring frequent hospital stays. The boys continue to thrive under their parents' care which includes active involvement in their lives and schooling.
Mandy Bechert, Bedford
Mandy is a dedicated mother to her two children. Her daughter has a recurring brain tumor. Mandy has juggled her career with advocacy and coordination of care for the last eight years and still finds the time to organize an annual family bike team supporting brain tumor research and treatment.
 Jessilyn Carey, Concord Jessilyn is the young mother of three children with a recently deployed husband. She is a passionate advocate, actively involved in her children's school activities and interventions for her special needs daughter. She envisions a forum for parents of children with disabilities.
 Abbey Clegg, Manchester Abbey and her husband have a daughter of their own and they are foster parents (soon to be adoptive parents!) to twin boys who have complicated medical needs. Abbey juggles medical appointments and still finds time to homeschool the teenage son of a neighbor who struggles in school.
Judith Coakley, Wolfeboro Judith is a rock of support for parents of children with disabilities. As caretaker for two grandchildren with special needs, she works tirelessly to ensure they receive the best care possible, while also ensuring other children in the district receive the supports they need. Judith volunteers countless hours as a steadfast, knowledgeable and cheerful advocate.
 Debra Coyne, Hancock A teacher, Deb is a great role model to her three sons and other parents. Her husband is currently serving in Kuwait, one of several deployments. Deb is very generous with her time and spirit, providing a helping hand to anyone in need, while still raising three wonderful children with her husband thousands of miles away.
 Damaris Crayton, Nashua An immigrant from Kenya, Damaris is a single parent who has touched the lives of countless Burundi refugees. When the refugees first resettled in Nashua, Damaris helped in countless and vital ways: assisting with forms, navigating resources, and accompanied them to doctor's visits. She is a respected liaison for the Gate City Health and Wellness Immigration Integration Initiative.
 Ann Dillon, Brentwood Ann has been a champion for children with special health care needs for the past 25 years. Her daughter had a rare developmental condition and survived much longer than expected, a testament to the superlative care that she and her family provided. Ann has mentored pediatricians throughout NH and emphasized the importance of community support, transition, and quality of life issues. Her unwavering vision has provided hope and support to many.
 John Michael Helpap and Valerie Lanigan, Franklin Though Mike had already raised a family of his own, he and Valerie saved four children from an unsafe home, and are now raising these children as their own. The home they have provided for these children is rooted in open and honest communication, education, responsibility, and spending time together.
 David and Nancy Holden, Concord David and Nancy adopted two children with special needs. After educating themselves with the vast amount of research available, they became strong and tireless advocates for their children, helping other parents with their wisdom along the way. They emphasize potential and abilities rather than disabilities. David also works as a barber, and offered free haircuts to political candidates who donated $400 to the Autism Society of America!
 Melissa Jenness, New Hampton The mother of two daughters, Melissa lives for her family. Though Melissa was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, she has not let it slow her down. She is active in schools, ski classes, PTO, girl scouting and raising money and awareness about cancer. Melissa continues to live her life with acceptance, grace and beauty.
 Tonya Johnican, Laconia Tonya volunteers daily to support the staff and students at her daughter's school, despite a genetic condition which causes her chronic pain and fatigue. She is a parent who continually seeks to improve her parenting skills and to become the best parent she can be. She is a support and role model to other parents while knowing when to seek help when she needs it herself.
 Vicki Keller, Keene Raising her son on her own, Vicki has dedicated her life to her son; he is the center of her life. With her family far away, she has built a strong community of support and ensures that her son has male role models such as Big Brother Big Sister, sporting leagues and scouting. Vicki faces many personal challenges, yet handles them with grace and good humor.
 Christine Kiama, Nashua An immigrant from Kenya, Christine is a single parent who has touched the lives of countless Burundi refugees. When the refugees first resettled in Nashua, Christine helped in countless and vital ways: assisting with forms, navigating resources, and accompanied them to doctor's visits. She is a respected liaison for the Gate City Health and Wellness Immigration Integration Initiative.
 Bridget Layland, Merrimack Bridget is a single mother of two autistic children. Bridget devotes her time to her children, encouraging their interests through many experiences and channels. She also works as a partner with the school system. Bridget advocates for her children's needs in order that they can be the most successful that they can be.
 Kim Maynard, Franklin Kim is very involved in her community of Franklin as an active member of the Elks Lodge in fundraising and community events. Kim is devoted to her two sons and through her years of dedication to the Boy Scouts has modeled patience, confidence and courage to her sons and the scouts she is involved with.
Margo McNair, Concord Margo is the remarkable mother of three boys. Margo overcame severe domestic abuse and now is involved with many different organizations to improve her life and the lives of her children. Despite upcoming heart surgery, she continued to advocate for her children in the school system and to serve as a role model of determination in the face of adversity, particularly to other women who have suffered domestic abuse.
 Mark Meister, Contoocook Mark is the father of six children three of whom are adopted and two of whom have disabilities. Mark dedicates his time not only to improving his children's lives, but also the lives of many other children who have disabilities through his work as a special educator and his extensive volunteer commitments to Special Olympics, foster and adoptive families and church missions. He is a loving and involved parent.
 Richard Merrill, Hampton Richard is the single father of three children. Richard is willing to ask for help when needed, and is always there for his children emotionally and financially. Richard teaches his children valuable life lessons by role modeling what it takes to be an upstanding citizen and responsible adult.
Kim Nine, Bedford Kim is the mother of three children, the youngest having cancer along with other significant cognitive and physical disabilities. Through incredibly difficult circumstances, Kim models a joyful attitude and a servant's heart always with a smile. Kim co-leads a Mom's Morning Out group and has been instrumental in starting a special needs class at her children's school.
 Linda O'Keefe, Concord Linda is a very active and dedicated mother to four children in a blended family. In spite of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she is a highly involved parent and leader in many youth organizations. Linda cares for her mother who is living with cancer and her father who also has significant health care needs. Linda is a role model of courage to her children as she educates them on just what MS is and the changes they might see in her, yet she never lets it hold her back in life.
 Lorry Porter, Fremont Lorry is an outstanding role model to other parents and children through her child care program, developing creative, sociable and compassionate young children. Lorry always puts children first, and she cares for each one as if they were her own. She welcomes parents and values families. Lorry is raising her step granddaughter who came to her through a difficult situation. She has blossomed under Lorry's care.
 Maureen Rich, Nashua Maureen is the single mother of six children. Worried about the safety of the youth in her neighborhood, Maureen is actively working to get a teen youth center established. Her efforts have already resulted in the Boys and Girls Club bussing neighborhood teens to their site and area church volunteers providing homework tutoring. Maureen is a model as a voice for positive grassroots change and democracy in action.
 Pearline Sullivan, Claremont Pearline is very involved not only in her two daughters' lives, but also in the lives of other Head Start children. As part of the Parent Association, she is always helping around the school by covering for classes, acting as a secretary, and helping with paperwork. She is a remarkable role model, always working to improve the quality of life for those around her.
 Genevieve Traversy, Sandown Genevieve overcame many difficult life challenges to become a nurturing mother to each of her four children. Genevieve dedicates her time to improving the lives of others in many ways including leading a teen support group, gathering and delivering toys at Christmas for children in area shelters, and regularly speaking at conferences for DCYF. Genevieve is an inspiring woman who is a constant role model, especially for young mothers who have had a difficult childhood.
 Lynn Vigliotta, Exeter Lynn parents her two grandchildren, one of whom has Type 1 diabetes, other medical issues and special needs. In addition to serving as an advocate for children with special needs, she is also parenting her own teenage children. Her positive attitude and unflagging energy are a model for effective parenting of a child with special health care needs.
 Kim Wilson, Lebanon Kim is the mother of three children, two of whom she and her husband adopted. Kim has also been the foster mother of numerous children through DCYF. Kim is a leader of home school programs in her area, and she has written cookbooks and created a website that address special dietary needs.
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On February 23 in the Governor and Council Chambers at the NH State House, with Governor John Lynch, the New Hampshire Children's Trust/Prevent Child Abuse New Hampshire (NHCT) honored 28 parents, one for each day of the month. With the room overflowing with families and supporters, Governor Lynch issued a proclamation declaring February as Parent Recognition month, acknowledging that more parents each year are developing vital partnerships with service providers, policymakers, and key stakeholders to shape policy and serve as responsible role models for parents across the state, creating safer communities for children. 
