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| April 2014 | ||||
Mark Your Calendar:
Hannah Grimes Center 2014 Community After Hours |
In This Issue:
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The guest on “The Dan Mitchell Morning Show” at 8:10 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2014 will be The Orchard School. WKBK regularly features a Monadnock United Way agency on the third Wednesday of each month.
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Join us at Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, 77-81 Main Street in Keene on Wednesday, April 16 from 4:00 to close. Margaritas will host a Noche Mexicana Fundraiser and donate 15% of pre-taxed food and beverage sales from participating families, friends and supporters to the Monadnock United Way. Guests can choose items from any of their menus, takeout orders included! (Click here and bring one of the handbills when you come to Margaritas!) |
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FREE Konica 7135 Copy Machine
For more information, contact Nancy Zanga at nancy@johnbrownlimited.com |
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Keene Rotary Club Offers Grants to Nonprofit Organizations As part of its commitment to community service, The Keene Rotary Club is offering grants to nonprofits that directly benefit residents of the greater Keene area. These grants are generally under $500, and are given in support of projects and programs that benefit young people, those in need, or the community as a whole. Organizations that would like to be considered for a grant should send a letter that briefly describes their project or program to the Keene Rotary Club, Community Reinvestment Committee, P.O. Box 126, Keene, NH 03431. Proposals received by April 30 will be considered for grants awarded in June. |
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Savings Bank of Walpole Named ‘Spirit of Monadnock’
At the Monadnock United Way 2013-2014 Campaign Recognition Event on March 20, The Spirit of Monadnock Award, was presented by Cameron Tease (representing Markem-Imaje, last year’s Spirit of Monadnock award recipient). The Spirit of Monadnock Award is the highest honor Monadnock United Way presents each year — reserved for the organization and its employees who best exemplify the spirit of the region through continued, wide reaching support for the community and the Monadnock United Way. In presenting the award, Tease announced, “We are grateful for all they do, not only for Monadnock United Way but our community as well, and are proud to present this year’s Spirit of Monadnock award to one of the community’s outstanding businesses, Savings Bank of Walpole.” (Photo by Felisha Wilbur) |
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Monadnock United Way Announces Two New Board Members Kenneth Jue
Ken received his B.A. from Trinity College, and Masters in Social Services Administration from Case-Western Reserve University. Following completion of his graduate-level education, Ken served as Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. With a career spanning more than 40 years in mental health services, Ken was recognized by Keene State College with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Human Letters in 2007. In 2003 while CEO of MFS, he developed the award winning program, InSHAPE, to address the crisis of lifespan disparity for persons experiencing a serious mental illness. Ken is the program steward and consultant for InSHAPE. He has served on and continues to serve on boards of directors of nonprofit organizations, foundations and state commissions. Ken resides in Keene, NH with his wife Carol.
Ashok Bahl is senior manager for vendor and transportation supply chain at C&S Wholesale Grocers in Keene, New Hampshire. He has been with C&S since 2006. Ashok received his undergraduate degree from SUNY Albany and graduated from the UConn MBA program in 2006 with a dual concentration in supply chain management and marketing. Ashok currently serves on the Allocations Committee for Monadnock United Way and has been on the board of The Community Kitchen since 2010. Recently, Ashok was recognized by Business Monadnock magazine as a “Trendsetter” — one of the top 24 young professionals in the Monadnock Region. |
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Hannah Grimes Center 2014 Community After Hours
A networking event bringing together the business and nonprofit communities hosted by Leadership New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Leading a discussion highlighting the culture of volunteerism in our region will be Dick Ober, President & CEO of the NH Charitable Foundation, and Dr. Stephen Reno, Executive Director of Leadership NH. For more information call 352-5063 or email info@hannahgrimes.com. |
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Get ready to Walk a Mile in Her Shoes on Saturday, April 19th!
WAM is a one mile walk for men, women & children to show their support for survivors of sexual assault who walk among us every day of the year. Before the age of 18, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience sexual abuse. One in 20 NH men reported being a victim of sexual assault and the number of NH women who have experienced sexual assault could fill Fenway Park more than three times. They are our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers, our loved ones. They need us to take a stand and take steps to end sexual violence. Getting involved is simple! 1) SIGN UP — visit FirstGiving.com/MCVP; 2) PLEDGE — Encourage others to donate by being the first; 3) NETWORK — share your fundraising page with friends, family & co-workers; and 4) WALK — on Saturday, April 19th at 10:00 a.m. to show your support! Together we can end sexual violence in the Monadnock Region! MCVP is a Monadnock United Way Agency. |
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The Fuel Assistance Program will continue taking applications through the month of April. The program closes on April 30th — this is the last day for appointments and the last day for deliveries that can be covered under a Fuel Assistance benefit. Households that have not yet applied are encouraged to do so by contacting our office to schedule an appointment. The Electric Assistance Program will continue to take appointments throughout the months of May-August while staff prepares for next year’s Fuel Assistance Program. Thank you to all of our partner agencies for their support and assistance throughout this winter season. We have taken over 4,800 applications so far for Fuel Assistance and many case managers from our partner agencies assisted with gathering paperwork and ensuring that households did not fall through the cracks. Thank you! ~ SCS Energy Services Southwestern Community Services is a Monadnock United Way Agency. |
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Hyundai of Keene Bike Drive for Big Brothers Big Sisters Now through the end of May, Hyundai of Keene is accepting donated used bikes that will be distributed by Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) to their enrolled children (aka Littles). Bikes of any size can be dropped off at Hyundai of Keene (14 Production Avenue) during business hours.
According to BBBS Executive Director, Phil Hueber, the Bike Drive is a win-win for all involved — “Folks with unused bikes in their garages now have an organization they can donate them to. Hyundai of Keene has the wonderful opportunity to give needy kids bikes. And our 300 Littles will have the opportunity to have their own bikes.” Hyundai of Keene is a Fenton Family Dealership. Fenton Family Dealership has been a financial supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters for many years. Many employees, including President Bill Fenton, have served as volunteer Bigs. Bill Fenton said, “We are proud to be partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters in this endeavor. We feel the organization is a powerful influence and has a lasting impact on the lives of the children it serves.” Big Brothers Big Sisters is dedicated to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. In the past year, BBBS has mentored roughly 400 children in 48 communities in the Monadnock Region and Sullivan County. BBBS is a United Way supported agency and it costs roughly $1,000 to match a child with a Big Brother or Sister and provide support throughout the length of the relationship. For more information call Phil Hueber at 603-352-9536 ext. 101 or email phueber@bbbswnh.org. ------------------------
Big Brother Big Sisters of Western NH is a Monadnock United Way Agency. |
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Low-Income Taxpayer Project of the New Hampshire Bar Association Spring is year-end reporting time for the Low-Income Taxpayer Project at the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Pro Bono Referral Program — time report to the funders all the details of last year’s work. One detail stood out and bears repeating: the total decrease in corrected tax liabilities, penalties, and interest for our clients during 2013 came to $162,012. For many clients, this impressive figure represents the happy ending to a tale of hardship and frustration. For some clients, a happy ending can’t be measured in dollars of liability wiped off the books. Instead, it’s the relief that comes when the IRS agrees to leave them alone. For example, one elderly client, “Jack,” had a string of bad luck with his business at the end of his working life, leaving him both impoverished and indebted to the IRS for over $100,000. Because he qualified easily for a hardship waiver from collection activity — and had little chance of financial improvement — Jack decided not to pursue an offer in compromise. Instead, he chose to remain in currently-not-collectible status and wait out the statute of limitations on collections. Last year, a friend persuaded him to file an amended return for one of the several years at issue. This return showed a $600 overpayment of tax; therefore, by filing the return, Jack was making a formal request for abatement of $600 from over $100,000 in otherwise uncontested liability to the IRS. Unfortunately, while reviewing the return, the IRS determined that several items on the amended return warranted closer scrutiny and ordered an examination — an audit. When Jack brought this issue to the Low-Income Taxpayer Project, it became apparent that the amended return had some problems. But because several years had passed since the year at issue, finding the necessary documentation to put together a new, corrected return was not an easy task, and all of the LITP’s volunteer accountants were busy with tax season. Meanwhile, Jack was undergoing cancer treatments and had little strength to fight. The LITP coordinator Barbara Heggie called the revenue agent assigned to Jack’s case, explained the circumstances, and asked if Jack could simply withdraw the request for abatement, as if the amended return had never been filed. The revenue agent was sympathetic, but said she could not do that. When Barbara requested a postponement of the examination, the agent agreed, but only on condition that the LITP provide her with a letter from Jack’s doctor, detailing his diagnosis and his treatment. Jack obtained a letter from his doctor, but it was more cryptic than helpful. Accordingly, he decided to submit a post-op photo of himself, showing several stitches from his latest surgery. The day after Barbara faxed the photo (and letter) to the IRS, the revenue agent called the clinic, suggesting that Jack agree to withdraw the request for abatement. Jack approved whole-heartedly, and arranged to come to the LITP office to sign the agreement on Monday, March 17. As it happens, Jack is an Irishman, and Barbara plays Celtic music on flute and penny whistle. When he arrived at the office on St. Patrick’s Day, Barbara played an Irish jig for Jack — “Banish Misfortune.” With smiles all around, Jack signed a withdrawal of the abatement request, thereby ending the case. NH Pro Bono is a Monadnock United Way Agency. |
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Keene Community Education Adult Education Classes The following list is a snapshot of adult education classes offered by Keene Community Education:
For more information, contact Jennifer DeCoste at 603-357-9041 or email jdecoste@sau29.org. |
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Miracles in Motion is Looking for Volunteers Miracles in Motion has two types of volunteers that help with lessons: Side Walker The side walker (either 1 or 2) walks next to the horse and provides support for the rider during the class. The side walker's primary responsibility is for the safety of the student during the class. Horse Leader The primary job of the horse leader is to handle the horse and lead it during the lesson. Upcoming Volunteer Training:
For more information, call 603-357-7282 or visit their website at www.mimnh.org. |
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Monadnock United Way On Cheshire TV
Can’t watch it on Wednesdays, or you are not a Time Warner subscriber, episodes are posted on the Monadnock United Way YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/monadnockunitedway).
How do you LIVE UNITED? Email LiveUnited@muw.org and tell us. If your story is read on the TV show you’ll win a LIVE UNITED t-shirt! All schedules are subject to change without notice. |
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AIDS Services for the Monadnock Region Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western New Hampshire Contoocook Valley Transportation Company (CVTC) Hundred Nights Keene Community Kitchen Keene Family YMCA Keene Senior Center Mayhew Monadnock Adult Care Center Monadnock Area Peer Support Agency (MPS) Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention Monadnock Family Services Monadnock United Way The Orchard School The River Center
Southwestern Community Services: Housing Stabilization Services Southwestern Community Services: Energy Services Winchester Learning Center |
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| Monadnock United Way | 23 Center Street | Keene, New Hampshire 03431 | 603-352-4209 | ||||
| © Monadnock United Way | ||||
March on WKBK…
Free to any nonprofit organization. You just have to pick it up at John Brown Limited, Inc., 46 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.
Ken began his career in mental health at a community mental health center in Colorado in 1971, and in 1978 joined the staff of Monadnock Family Services (MFS), becoming its chief executive officer in 1998. Ken retired from MFS in 2010 as CEO, and started his consulting business, Ken Jue & Associates. An accomplished consultant, Ken is committed to creating conditions that will improve the well-being and longevity of people experiencing mental illness. He has consulted with businesses, government agencies and communities in the U.S., Asia, the Pacific Rim, Europe and South America.
Ashok Bahl
With assistance from the Monadnock Cycling Club, Hyundai technicians, on their own time, will repair the bikes and make them safe and road worthy. The bikes will then be given to BBBS. All Bigs and parents will be notified that bikes are available to their Littles free of charge on a first come first served basis.
Bill Fenton, President of Fenton Family Dealerships and Anne Breslin, Toyota USA present Phil Hueber, Big Brothers Big Sisters with A $5,000 donation To help needy children. 
Watch Cheshire TV Channel 8 (Time Warner Cable) every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and see how our partner agencies, donors, volunteers, and corporate partners LIVE UNITED! 
Also, on the third Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m., be sure to listen to Sound-Off with Chris Coates and Greg Parent on WKBK Radio (1290 AM of 104.1 FM) — a Monadnock United Way partner agency will be on the air discussing their agency and programs. The scheduled guest on Saturday, April 19, 2014 is Damien Licata from Monadnock Area Peer Support Agency.
The Samaritans, Inc.