Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway
For a many years, the Brothers of Phi Beta Upsilon, in conjunction with the Plymouth State University’s Catholic Campus Ministry, the United Campus Ministry, Sodexo Food Service, and Hannaford Supermarket on behalf of Plymouth State University, conducted a Thanksgiving Basket giveaways to needy families. Phi Beta Upsilon is a Greek Fraternal Organization formed by Veterans who returned from the Vietnam war on the campus of Plymouth State College in 1971. The baskets were delivered within the communities of Alexandria, Ashland, Bristol, Campton, Dorchester, Hebron, Holderness, Plymouth, Rumney, Thornton, and Wentworth, New Hampshire.
Packing and delivery of Baskets are performed by the students, faculty, and staff of PSU, and community members. This project generated a great deal of goodwill between PSU and the community. It allows a wide variety of PSU’s constituencies to collaborate on a project for the greater good of the community in which they live and work.
Requests for baskets are accepted from mid-October until the Thursday before Thanksgiving. Solicitation of funds and recruitment of volunteers takes place in November. Funds are spent only on food for the baskets, with excess money given to the Community Closet’s Food Depot in Plymouth, so that the daily nutrition needs of more families in the area will be met.
Although the Plymouth State University does not recognize the Phi Beta Upsilon Fraternity as a student organization, the Veteran founded Fraternity continues to support veteran and active military families, as well as the Plymouth are community. This year Phi Beta Upsilon’s Alumni Association named 27 Highland Ave is cosponsoring and funding the Thanksgiving Basket giveaway. In 2007, 27 Highland Ave funded the building of a beautiful Veteran Common on the PSU campus that is used by the University to conduct their annual Veterans Day ceremonies. 27 Highland Ave. also makes donations for the placement of Christmas wreaths on tombstones at the NH Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. It also partakes in an “adopt a platoon program” during the Christmas holiday, which is organized by George Pervanas, a Phi Beta Upsilon Alumni Brother. The Fraternity’s active Brothers, who still wear the blue and gold colors and letters of the Fraternity on campus also assist with an annual cookout and picnic for Veterans at the NH Veterans Home in Tilton, NH.
The number of baskets given to the community has increased each year as economic need has increased. At last count we provided baskets for more than 800 people in the Plymouth area community. Request for Baskets and donations can be made by contacting Preston Fuller of the Campus United Ministry by calling (603) 535-2327.
Packing and delivery of Baskets are performed by the students, faculty, and staff of PSU, and community members. This project generated a great deal of goodwill between PSU and the community. It allows a wide variety of PSU’s constituencies to collaborate on a project for the greater good of the community in which they live and work.
Requests for baskets are accepted from mid-October until the Thursday before Thanksgiving. Solicitation of funds and recruitment of volunteers takes place in November. Funds are spent only on food for the baskets, with excess money given to the Community Closet’s Food Depot in Plymouth, so that the daily nutrition needs of more families in the area will be met.
Although the Plymouth State University does not recognize the Phi Beta Upsilon Fraternity as a student organization, the Veteran founded Fraternity continues to support veteran and active military families, as well as the Plymouth are community. This year Phi Beta Upsilon’s Alumni Association named 27 Highland Ave is cosponsoring and funding the Thanksgiving Basket giveaway. In 2007, 27 Highland Ave funded the building of a beautiful Veteran Common on the PSU campus that is used by the University to conduct their annual Veterans Day ceremonies. 27 Highland Ave. also makes donations for the placement of Christmas wreaths on tombstones at the NH Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. It also partakes in an “adopt a platoon program” during the Christmas holiday, which is organized by George Pervanas, a Phi Beta Upsilon Alumni Brother. The Fraternity’s active Brothers, who still wear the blue and gold colors and letters of the Fraternity on campus also assist with an annual cookout and picnic for Veterans at the NH Veterans Home in Tilton, NH.
The number of baskets given to the community has increased each year as economic need has increased. At last count we provided baskets for more than 800 people in the Plymouth area community. Request for Baskets and donations can be made by contacting Preston Fuller of the Campus United Ministry by calling (603) 535-2327.
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The past several years were very successful for 27 Highland St. This has allowed us to not only donate to the annual Holiday Thanksgiving Basket Drive, but also provided additional funds for other organizations. We are proud to announce we were able to provide donations to the following charities. Please feel free to click on the links below to visit their websites and make donations to these important causes.
Note: The mission statements below come directly from the charity's website.
Note: The mission statements below come directly from the charity's website.
Veterans FIRST Transitional Housing
Harbor Homes’ Veterans FIRST Transitional Housing program provides veterans and their families with up to two years to address the causes of their homelessness while living in a safe, supportive environment. While residing in the transitional housing, veterans must remain sober, and pursue employment, further their education, or volunteer within the community. They work with a case manager, employment specialist, and the VA Medical Center to address the issues that led to their homelessness and secure permanent housing, health care, transportation, and meaningful income so that they can live independently when exiting the program.
Harbor Homes’ Veterans FIRST Transitional Housing program provides veterans and their families with up to two years to address the causes of their homelessness while living in a safe, supportive environment. While residing in the transitional housing, veterans must remain sober, and pursue employment, further their education, or volunteer within the community. They work with a case manager, employment specialist, and the VA Medical Center to address the issues that led to their homelessness and secure permanent housing, health care, transportation, and meaningful income so that they can live independently when exiting the program.
BAE Systems Independence Hall
Through our fundraising efforts the alumni brothers of 27 Highland Ave. proudly supports the residents of BAE Independence Hall during the holiday season by providing the residents with a hearty catered Christmas meal complete with wrapped gifts for the children, who reside with their veteran parents at Independence Hall.
In 2004, the body of a homeless veteran was found along the banks of the Nashua River in New Hampshire. Staff from Harbor Homes was outraged and began researching ways to provide veteran-specific housing and supportive services to local servicemen and women in NH. The end result is known as “Veterans FIRST”.
In June 2013, Harbor Homes opened its fourth Veterans FIRST Transitional Housing facility at 335 Somerville Street in Manchester, NH. Six units of permanent supportive housing are also included in the design. The site previously contained a dilapidated, vacant warehouse in jeopardy of foreclosure. Harbor Homes purchased and demolished the building in 2012, and is in the final phases of fundraising for the $5.2 million project. The facility will provide 26 one and two bedroom apartments for male and female homeless veterans and their family members. Funders include the US Department of Veteran Affairs, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Merrimack County Savings Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, City of Manchester (Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding), and Citizens Bank.
Through our fundraising efforts the alumni brothers of 27 Highland Ave. proudly supports the residents of BAE Independence Hall during the holiday season by providing the residents with a hearty catered Christmas meal complete with wrapped gifts for the children, who reside with their veteran parents at Independence Hall.
In 2004, the body of a homeless veteran was found along the banks of the Nashua River in New Hampshire. Staff from Harbor Homes was outraged and began researching ways to provide veteran-specific housing and supportive services to local servicemen and women in NH. The end result is known as “Veterans FIRST”.
In June 2013, Harbor Homes opened its fourth Veterans FIRST Transitional Housing facility at 335 Somerville Street in Manchester, NH. Six units of permanent supportive housing are also included in the design. The site previously contained a dilapidated, vacant warehouse in jeopardy of foreclosure. Harbor Homes purchased and demolished the building in 2012, and is in the final phases of fundraising for the $5.2 million project. The facility will provide 26 one and two bedroom apartments for male and female homeless veterans and their family members. Funders include the US Department of Veteran Affairs, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Merrimack County Savings Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, City of Manchester (Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding), and Citizens Bank.
Union Leader Santa Fund
The Union Leader Santa Fund is a community tradition that has supported the Salvation Army for more than 50 years. The Santa Fund was first established at the Post Office Fruit in Manchester after a chance 1959 meeting between the Salvation Army major and the then-editor of the Union Leader.
In its first year, the Santa Fund brought in $1,000 to support the Salvation Army’s Christmas effort. Since then, the Santa Fund has raised nearly $6.8 million, thanks to the generosity of the community and local businesses. Santa Fund dollars continue to provide warm clothing, meals and toys during the holidays, as well as support Kids’ Café, summer camps and other critical programs throughout the year. Last year's drive brought in over $240,000 – thanks to the generosity of local businesses and residents, bringing the lifetime total to nearly $6.8 million.
In its first year, the Santa Fund brought in $1,000 to support the Salvation Army’s Christmas effort. Since then, the Santa Fund has raised nearly $6.8 million, thanks to the generosity of the community and local businesses. Santa Fund dollars continue to provide warm clothing, meals and toys during the holidays, as well as support Kids’ Café, summer camps and other critical programs throughout the year. Last year's drive brought in over $240,000 – thanks to the generosity of local businesses and residents, bringing the lifetime total to nearly $6.8 million.
Toys for Tots
The mission of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to assist the U. S. Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. This assistance includes supporting the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program by raising funds to provide toys to supplement the collections of local Toys for Tots campaigns, to provide promotional and support material and defray the costs of conducting annual Toys for Tots campaigns. Other Foundation support includes providing administrative, advisory, financial, logistic and promotional support to local Toys for Tots Coordinators; managing funds raised and monies donated based on the use of Toys for Tots name or logo; providing other support the Marine Corps, as a federal agency, cannot provide; and conducting public education and information programs about Toys for Tots that call the general public to action in support of this patriotic community action program.
Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire
We are a Chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. Our membership consists of local mothers, fathers, family members and friends who have loved ones currently serving or that have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
We come together to share our devotion to, our pride in, and support the efforts and sacrifices of our active military men and women, as well as, our veterans through various activities and community projects. We work with gratitude and love, to show all service people that we appreciate their service.
We proudly display the Blue Star Flag, whose history dates back to World War I, in our windows when we have a loved one currently serving in any branch of the military during times of conflict or war.
We come together to share our devotion to, our pride in, and support the efforts and sacrifices of our active military men and women, as well as, our veterans through various activities and community projects. We work with gratitude and love, to show all service people that we appreciate their service.
We proudly display the Blue Star Flag, whose history dates back to World War I, in our windows when we have a loved one currently serving in any branch of the military during times of conflict or war.
In 2015 27 Highland Ave. partnered with Veterans Count of NH, whose mission is to provide critical and timely financial assistance and services when no other resource is available to veterans, service members and their families, to ensure their dignity, health and overall well-being.
Their goal is that 90% of every dollar raised for Veterans Count is spent to provide services and grow resources for NH veterans, service members and their families.
In 2006, Veterans Count was developed in partnership with ESNH, the NH National Guard, and the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services. The program provides critical resources to veterans of all eras and their families. Care Coordinators work with individuals and families to create a care plan toward self-sufficiency. Since ESNH launched the program, over 9,300 individuals have been served. Philanthropic dollars, totaling more than $2.6 million, have been distributed to provide financial support that may include food, home maintenance, housing, rent, fuel assistance, utilities, vehicle repair, gasoline, medical bills, and child care.
Please visit their website www.vetscount.org/nh to support directly.