Our Canaan and Enfield Food Pantries are celebrating our Year One. We are grateful for all of our partnerships, our donors, our volunteers and our shoppers who motivate us to find the best resources we can bring to our community.
SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 10 from 6:00-7:30 PM Artists Reception at MVRHS
Sneak peak at our 300 square foot Kraatz & Russell multi media mural that is one of our Art Initiative projects. A surprise of connecting the old with the new..............
This wall is outside of the media center and lower level auditorium entrance.
We are grateful our students chose us to fulfill their community service hours.
We are getting lots of community service help to organize, weigh and pack our donations of food for the upcoming winter break food boxes that are Indian River School's Helping Hands project and the MVRHS Making a Difference project.
Pictured here are students Sam Rizzo, Zoe Stanford, Julianna Morse and Lana Evans (Pantry Volunteer)
Standing are helping moms, Liz Rizzo and Jodi Morse.
Don't miss "all of ME", a Film and Forum on Eating Disorders!
We are proud mini-grant sponsors of two documentary films and forums. if you missed "the Hungry Heart, a documentary film on prescription drug addiction and recovery,please don't miss this one!
Student of the Month "Perks" from FOM!
Ashlynn Moses of Enfield
Joshua Simoneau and Kylie Sumner of Canaan
One of our annual fundraising auction items in September was to treat the first three Students of the Month with an ordered lunch from Mickey's Cafe in Enfield delivered to them by an FOM board member. They also received VIP parking for the day. This auction item was won by Kate Plumley Stewart. Who will be the next three lucky and deserving students?
VIP parking for the Day!
Brooks Hubbard and Hannah Hoffman Rock Whaleback to Benefit FOM
Tuesday, December 27th: Over 100 Friends of Mascoma Supporters turned out for our 2nd Annual Night of Homegrown Talent featuring Mascoma alumni Brooks Hubbard and Hannah Hoffman at Whaleback Mountain. Many thanks to both artists for sharing their talent for another fun night celebrating community! You can see live video from the event on our Facebook page. Hear more and support the artists by downloading music through their webpages [linked above].
We are grateful to Whaleback for their partnership and to Donnie Dunkerton, a Mascoma alum and owner of Dunk's Concessions, for serving up delicious fair food for everyone at the event. We were thrilled to have Mascoma's Best Variety Mix 96.6, a radio station run by Mascoma students, broadcast live from the event. Listen to Mix 96.6 online and show them some love on Facebook.
We would also like to thank our amazing team of volunteers of all ages for being wonderful ambassadors for Friends of Mascoma and to everyone who took the trip out to the Whale - it's fun and now you all know it's actually not that far! The event raised over $600 to support Friends of Mascoma's ongoing work in our community.
Did you miss it? Watch for other #MascomaMixer events throughout the year and pencil us in for Christmas break next year!
Did you know? Whaleback is also a 501(c)(3) non-profit community foundation. They are open for skiing now and also rent out their facility in the off-season. Hit the slopes at this family friendly mountain and enjoy reasonable rates and the new snow while it lasts!
Not Too Late to Donate in 2016!
Please consider a donation to Friends of Mascoma Foundation! We are busy working on our 2016 Annual Newsletter. We hope you will be part of our support system in 2016. Let's ring in the New Year with strong commitments!
Thank you all; we are excited about 2017. Look for the grand installation of the Kraatz and Russell multi media mural to be revealed in January! This is one of our Art All Around Initiatives.
Friends of Mascoma Foundation wishes you all a Happy New Year! Let's go out with a bang for your buck!
Indian River School Fifth Grader Rides to School in Canaan Firetruck Engine #1
Cameron Jesperson-Pecor had a great ride to IRS in a big red Canaan Firetruck thanks to the Canaan Fire Department for generously donating their time for an auction item for our annual fundraising dinner in September. Christine Jespersen had the winning bid and she awarded this experience to her grandson.
Alton Hennessy, John Hennessy, Cameron, Chief Bill Bellion ready to get to school!
Co-Principal for the Day at Indian River School
Rachel Dargie, an eighth grade student at Indian River School, was Co-Principal for a day with Principal Kevin Towle, who generously donated his time to give Rachel a wonderful experience that was the result of our annual fundraising auction item that Linda Paulsen of Canaan won and awarded to Rachel. We thank you for supporting our efforts to offer more opportunities to our staff and students.
Great News from our Margarita's Lebanon Fundraiser on Veteran's Day!
We raised over $1400 at Margarita's Lebanon On November 11. We are so appreciative of all of the support. Thank you to Margs for hosting and generously donating to FOM, to everyone who came out to dine and celebrate community with us, and to our awesome volunteers who greeted restaurant goers all day.
Pictured are board members: Andrew Cushing, Carolyn Cusick and Theresa Sabol
Raffle winner of FOM swag: Jayden Montebianchi of Canaan
Veteran's raffle of a $25 gift certificate to Margs: Steve Josephson of Virginia
King Arthur's Flour Bake for Good Program benefits FOM pantries.
Fourth graders at Canaan Elementary School participated in King Arthur's Bake for Good program. The fourth graders and their teachers, Mrs. Naranjo, Mrs. Landry and Mr. Henry were proud to donate their home-baked bread loaves to two local charities: End 68 Hours of Hunger and Friends of Mascoma Foundation. We were delighted to offer this fantastic contribution to our Friends Feeding Friends Food pantries. Thank you for caring!
www.kingarthurflour.com/learnbakeshare
Some of the participating Fourth Graders with their take home kits.
Mrs. Kim Naranjo, fourth grade teacher at CES, handing off some of the Bake for Good bread to Carolyn Cusick, representing FOM.
Canaan Elementary Co-principal of the Day!
James Frost, a first grader at Canaan Elementary School was Co-principal for a day with Principal Isabelle. He was awarded this honor and experience from the highest bidder, Meredith Frost, on this FOM auction item at our Annual Fundraising dinner recently in September. Thank you for participating in this fun item.
Margarita's Fundraiser for Friends of Mascoma 11/11/16 from 11 AM to 11 PM
Join us Friday, November 11th at Margaritas Lebanon and have some fun for a great cause!
20% of your DINNER receipt WILL BE donated to us if you do one of the following 4 things:
- Save this voucher on your smartphone and show it to your server,
- Print your voucher and show it,
- Mention that you are dining to support "Friends of Mascoma" or
- Grab a voucher in the entryway to give to your server while you are signing up to win Friends of Mascoma gear in our FREE RAFFLE!
Many thanks to Margaritas of Lebanon for graciously hosting this fun event!
Something Exciting Coming to the Beautiful Blue Wall in the MVRHS!
This Blue Wall is there for an amazing reason! Michael Kraatz and Susan Russell, mixed media artists of Canaan, actually started our Art Initiative by donating their awesome talents within a week of the bond being passed by our five towns to create an art installation in the renovated high school. They have been working on a 300 square foot creation since then. FOM has funded all materials and added the "blue reinforced wall". We will keep you in suspense!
Winter Clothing Giveaway Helps Keep Our Community Residents Warm
Many thanks to all who donated items and to the many volunteers who helped organize the donated clothing and blankets to the Friends of Mascoma Warm Winter Clothing Giveaway. We had lots of happy shoppers who found some great items. In the Spirit of sharing, leftover items were donated to other Upper Valley charities. We thank the Community Lutheran Church of Enfield for the awesome space to use and for allowing us to collect and sort items ahead of time right on site!
Volunteers put the finishing touches on sorting and organizing clothing, jackets, blankets, and many other warm winter items.
Mascoma Valley Regional High School Co-Principal for a Day
Kerrigan Stone of Canaan was the enthusiastic recipient of the Mascoma Valley Regional High School Co-Principal of the Day. This was a Friends of Mascoma fundraising auction item. Nancy Smith, Enfield resident, was the highest bidder and awarded this to a deserving student. thank you, Mr. James Collins, for donating your time and giving Kerrigan a unique experience.
Winter Clothing & Coat Giveaway
Don't miss this!
Button Up NH
Here are a few photos from our Button Up NH event Wednesday evening.
Thank you to the Enfield Energy Committee for co-sponsoring the event with us!
Here is a link to the presentation: http://www.plymouthenergy.org/BU_Presentation.pdf. Gil was our presenter (as opposed to the contact in the slides). We are happy to connect anyone who is interested with Gil and offer our sincere appreciation for sharing his professional and personal experiences and keeping the workshop light and informative.
Remember A -- B -- C: Attic, Basement, Center (living space in the middle of the house) when you prioritize your energy efficiency projects.
Royal Renovation Celebration
Mascoma's Homecoming Weekend 2016 and the Royal Renovation Celebration kicked off Friday, September 16th with the traditional Homecoming Bonfire courtesy of the Mascoma Class of 2017. Royal Renovation Celebration Fireworks were provided by a generous donor through Friends of Mascoma for the community to enjoy. We would love to express our heartfelt thanks to the many First Responders who gave up a large portion of their day to make this a fun, safe, family-friendly event.
Festivities continued Saturday during the Homecoming Games and into the evening with the Royal Renovation Dinner. Over 180 guests joined Friend of Mascoma to celebrate the Grand Opening of the newly renovation High School. Holly West, President of FOM, made the Opening Remarks and introduced Superintendent Patrick Andrew of the Keynote Address [streamed live on our Facebook site]. The Royal Renovation Dinner was hosted by Mountain Meadow and catered by What's For Dinner? We were proud to showcase two local companies together with Mascoma Alumni Brewer David Sakolsky's libations from his partnership at Deciduous Brewing Company.
Did you know the only Pediatric Cardiologist in Somalia is from Mascoma? We learned a lot together and celebrated our community's accomplishments thanks to our generous donors, the vendors, and all of the guest who attended and made the evening truly special!
The images above are only a snapshot of the celebration! Many thanks to Theresa Westgate (Mascoma Class of 1998) of Chocolate Pips Photography for capturing the memories and providing them as FREE full sized downloads here at http://chocolatepipsphoto.zenfolio.com/p575604653
Mascoma Valley Regional High School Food Pantry is OPEN!
PRESS RELEASE: Friends of Mascoma Foundation is pleased to report our school district has an "in-house" food pantry available for students in need that may be accessed BY the staff from both the High School and the Indian River Middle School.
Christine Jespersen, our High School Family and Consumer Science teacher is the Pantry Manager. Friends of Mascoma Foundation's, "Friends Feeding Friends" Initiative expands their practice of sharing their many resources with all four of our schools. A generous donor has supplied refrigeration for this pantry, so we are able to supply fresh fruits and vegetables from Willing Hands and meats and dairy products from Price Chopper's, Fresh Rescue program. We currently are agents of the New Hampshire Food Bank and manage the Friends Feeding Friends Food Pantries in Enfield and Canaan that are open to all of our five town residents one day weekly in each location [see hours here]. We thankfully accept food and monetary donations for all of these pantries.
Currently, we would like to assist the HS pantry to be fully stocked with toiletries like:
- toothbrushes,
- toothpaste,
- body wash,
- soap,
- feminine hygiene products,
- cologne
- shaving cream,
- toilet paper, etc.
Questions or need more information?
Please email us at food@friendsofmascoma.org or cjespersen@mvrsd.org.
Mrs. Christine Jespersen, High School Consumer and Family Science Teacher and Pantry Manager.
Loading up the pantry with items from the Friends of Mascoma Foundation
Students are enthusiastic over this new additional resource and are quick to help. Thank you!