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NEW HAMPSHIRE CATHOLIC CHARITIES’ MARDI GRAS RAISES $80,000
Generous Partygoers Raise Money for Families in Need throughout the State

MANCHESTER, N.H. Feb. 8, 2010—  The saints came marching into Bedford, NH, this weekend, and they weren’t the Super Bowl winning football team – they were the over 300 Mardi Gras partygoers who came out to help their neighbors. On Saturday evening, New Hampshire Catholic Charities’ annual Mardi Gras event raised an estimated $80,000, breaking last year’s total and setting a new all-time record. All proceeds benefit the Emergency Assistance Fund, which provides financial grants directly to New Hampshire families experiencing a crisis. 

“It’s a fantastic response from the community,” said New Hampshire Catholic Charities President and CEO Tom Blonski. “I’m honored and humbled by how generous everyone has been. Thanks to the money raised tonight, Catholic Charities will be able to be there – with a tank of oil, a small grant for emergency assistance, or financial help for medicine – when families in New Hampshire have nowhere else to turn.”

This year guests were treated to a special menu of authentic Louisiana and Creole cuisine, live music by The Boston Players, dancing, roaming entertainers, and festive Mardi Gras décor in the dining room and lounge. One of the evening’s highlights was a live auction for vacation packages (including a trip to Hawaii), and a chance to provide direct help to the emergency assistance fund. Within twenty minutes participants raised over $12,000 for families in need.

The silent auction featured over one hundred donated items – including Red Sox tickets and autographed memorabilia, gift baskets, and gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants. Special thanks go out to all the businesses that sponsored the event and everyone who attended. Due to the success of this year’s party, the New Hampshire Catholic Charities’ development staff will soon be planning next year’s Mardi Gras. For more information, visit our website: www.nh-cc.org

Operation Helping Hands

NH Catholic Charities is seeking volunteers, 10 – 15 people, for the week of May 22 to May 29 to travel to New Orleans to participate in Operation Helping Hands. The focus of the week is to help needy homeowners to clean up their neighborhoods and restore their homes. This is the 10th trip that Catholic Charities and Operation Helping Hands (Catholic Charities of New Orleans) have done to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers must travel at their own expense. Simple meals and basic accommodations will be provided. For more information or to reserve a space, please call Parish and Community Outreach coordinator Leonard Campbell at (603) 528-3035.

Read the article from Parable Magazine, "A Second Helping — Recipe for Success Helping Fight the Cause ofHunger", and watch a video about the Recipe for Success Program.


Looking for Job Training Programs?

The New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of New Hampshire Catholic Charities, is currently recruiting students for their culinary job training program. Students learn basic cooking and food service skills and qualify to take the ServSafe Manager’s exam. The program is for under, and hard to employ adults. Reliable transportation and a commitment to the eight-week course are required. Contact Helen Costello, 669-9725 for more information and to register for an information session.  

   
About New Hampshire Catholic Charities

Annually, more than 70,000 people have access to Catholic Charities’ full spectrum of programs and services including Counseling Services, Adoption Services, Services to Persons with Disabilities, OUR PLACE (for pregnant and parenting teens), St. Charles Children’s Home, Health Care Services, Immigration & Refugees Services, Parish and Community Outreach, and the New Hampshire Food Bank (the state’s only food bank).

New Hampshire Catholic Charities is recognized for our far-reaching system of services and programs through our 10 district offices and other sites throughout the state. Through collaboration with church personnel and city and state officials, New Hampshire Catholic Charities works to improve the well being of all people.

In order to serve those in need, New Hampshire Catholic Charities relies on the generosity of individuals and businesses that recognize the social value in funding our work. In fact, over 90 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to the programs and services of the agency. With their assistance, New Hampshire Catholic Charities is able to provide help and create hope for those in need.

Please visit the New Hampshire Catholic Charities web site at www.nh-cc.org . There you will find information about the organization, a description of programs and services, volunteer opportunities, and ways that you can get involved and assist Catholic Charities with helping the residents of New Hampshire.