Representatives from over 70 nonprofits crowded into Laconia Country Club to mingle and receive grant awards from the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction during Let's Connect on Thursday afternoon. The event was intended to bring all nonprofits together. Jayne Weakly, a member of the Community Engagement Committee, handed out Bingo cards. In each box was a nonprofit, and talking to representative from each one would help an attendee win.
“It’s to raise awareness of all the local charities, to network and make connections. Because a lot of the charities could be partnering together and didn’t even know it,” Weakly said.
To receive a grant from the auction, nonprofit leaders submit an application. That application is reviewed by a grant committee, and the board of directors approves the final award amounts. Grants can range anywhere from $2,500 to $30,000.
The Aviation & Aerospace Education Center at Winnipesaukee dba WinnAero Aerospace Career Education, or ACE, Academy, a summer camp operating at Laconia Municipal Airport, is one of the funded nonprofits. Through hands-on learning, camps make students aware of careers available in the aerospace industry. Don Morrissey, a retired Air Force pilot who now works for ACE, said last year the organization used grant money to upgrade their flight simulator lab. This year, the money will be used for orientation flights, as well as camp scholarships.
Out of 105 kids who attended last year, 30 scholarships were available. Camp tuition is in the hundreds, and scholarships range from $100 to the full camp cost. Morrissey hopes scholarships will also encourage girls to apply.
“They're underrepresented in the STEM area,” he said, referring to science, technology, engineering and math. “The grant that we just got will enable us to give them a partial or full-tuition scholarship to attend our summer camp.”
Beth Maltzie, president of Central New Hampshire Foster Adoptive Parent Support Group, was in attendance. The nonprofit helps bring together foster children and adoptive parents to talk about their circumstances and struggles. The support group meets regularly in Franklin, and the grant award from the auction will help staff hold up to four events in a year, allowing families to spend time with one another to form connections with others going through the same situation.
“That's the primary use for the auction funds is to help them get out of their house, out of their comfort zone sometimes. Spend time with family, and have fun with other people who are in very similar situations, because they sometimes feel very alone,” she said.
Cindy Hemeon-Plessner, chair of the distribution committee, spoke to why events like this are meaningful.
“Between the group of people in this room, you represent a little over 70 nonprofits,” she said. “I'm trying not to cry, because it's a big deal. Over 70 nonprofits and 29,000 kids in our community will benefit because of your work.”
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