On August 30, over 30 teams and sponsors gathered at the Manchester Country Club for the tenth and final John Zahr Memorial Golf Tournament. The 18-hole golf tournament benefitted CASA’s endowment fund in honor of John Zahr, President of Harvey Construction and longtime supporter of CASA.

In its final year, the tournament raised $105,000. Since its inception, it raised over $560,000, the net proceeds of which have been contributed to CASA’s endowment fund named in John’s memory. This year, the first, second, and third place winners, as well as the winner of the 50/50 raffle and the putting contest, donated their winnings back to the endowment fund, collectively donating $4,610 in prizes.

“My father was a committed supporter of CASA, and my family is so grateful for this tournament that has raised more than half a million dollars in his name over the last ten years,” his son, John Zahr, said in his remarks to tournament participants.

The tournament was created in 2011 in the year following John’s untimely death, when his friends and colleagues came together to establish this tournament as a way to give back to CASA, a charity John had supported for many years. Annually, a committee of his peers reached out to businesses and friends for sponsorships and players to hit the links in memory of their friend.

Thank you to all of our sponsors: Longchamps Electric, Miller Engineering & Testing Inc., Granite State Plumbing & Heating, Reliable Equipment, Redimix Companies, Academy Roofing, BK Systems, Charron LLC, Home of Lei LLC, JDS Flooring Associates, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Harvey Construction Corp., Galaxy Glass & Aluminum Inc., Dividers Plus, Empire Sheet Metal, Pelcon Construction, St. Mary’s Bank, Stone River Architects, American Steel & Precast Erectors and Kevin & Debbie Duffy.

CASA of New Hampshire appointed five new board members and celebrated 32 years of advocacy on behalf of more than 10,000 during the month of June.

On June 17, CASA recognized and honored the work of hundreds of volunteer advocates over the past year, as well as the support it receives from a friends and community partners around the state.

During this year’s celebration, special recognition was given to 71 volunteers who reached milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20 and even 25 years of service that has made a significant impact on victimized children’s lives.  Three awards were also given to an advocate and two community members who have been instrumental in supporting CASA and transforming the lives of children in New Hampshire.

Mark Linehan, of Glen, received the Linda Egbert Outstanding Advocacy Award. This honors the work of a CASA volunteer who has gone above and beyond in their advocacy work and made a tremendous impact in the lives of children. Linehan has advocated on behalf of 31 children from 12 families in his nine years as a CASA volunteer.

Lou Catano, of Strafford, received the John McDermott Champion of Children Award. This celebrates the work of one person whose tireless advocacy has influenced the lives of many. Catano served as the executive director of Webster House in Manchester for more than three decades.

Tom Boucher, of Bedford, received the Community Partner Award. This highlights CASA’s valuable community partners for their support, engagement and resources that they have contributed to furthering the mission of the organization. Boucher is the CEO-Owner of Great N.H. Restaurants, Inc. and a member of CASA’s Advisory Council.

Board comings and goings

At CASA’s June Board of Directors meeting, five new board members from around the state were appointed to their first terms. Those new members include: Michael Ambrogi, of North Hampton, senior technology fellow at Novocure Inc.; Karen Borgstrom, of Lyme, director of external affairs at Dartmouth-Hitchcock; Paul Chant, of Chocorua, a litigation attorney and director at Cooper Cargill Chant; Nancy Sampo, of Bow, president of Enviro-tote; and Tom Stevens of Manchester, who formerly served as a CASA volunteer.

Three additional board members, Judy Bergeron, Nick Giacoumakis and John Zahr, were recognized for their years of service as they stepped off of the board.

The Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire (BIA) and Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Hampshire (CASA) announced a new partnership to provide greater exposure for CASA and its important work to protect the best interests of abused and neglected children in New Hampshire’s family courts.

CASA of NH is a statewide nonprofit that recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers, known as guardians ad litem (GAL), to advocate in New Hampshire’s courts on behalf of abused and neglected children. A GAL’s role is to help a child or children caught up in the court system, through no fault of their own, grow up in safe, permanent homes with loving families to raise them. GALs are appointed by the courts, usually through CASA of NH, to recommend solutions that are “in the best interests of a child.”

BIA is New Hampshire’s statewide chamber of commerce whose nonpartisan work primarily focuses on representing business interests at the State House with state legislators, the governor, and state regulators. BIA represents more than 400 leading employers in a variety of industries including manufacturing, technology, professional services, financial services, health care, hospitality and tourism, public utilities, higher education, insurance, and many others. Member firms employ 93,000 people throughout the state and contribute $4.5 billion annually to the state’s economy.

“Given our work ‘mixing it up’ in the state public policy arena, I’m pleased to share a softer, gentler side of BIA through our partnership with CASA of NH. Helping CASA recruit volunteer GALs and increase exposure for its important work allows BIA to play a modest role in addressing a critical, social need,” said BIA President Jim Roche, himself a CASA volunteer.

“We are grateful to have this unique opportunity to work with the BIA and the exposure it will provide CASA to such a tremendous network of businesses around the state,” said CASA of NH CEO & President Marty Sink. “We look forward to being able to share more about the amazing work of our CASA guardians ad litem and the ongoing need for more CASAs to support New Hampshire’s children.”

“For business leaders looking for meaningful volunteer work, who want to make a real and lasting difference in a child’s life, in ways that, frankly, the child may never know about or appreciate (but YOU will), this is it,“ said Roche. “Marty Sink and her team at CASA of NH will train you, provide resources, and guide you in this endeavor. You don’t need to be an attorney. Most of us aren’t. You just need genuine interest, a caring heart, some of your time, good communication skills, and a desire to make this corner of our world a better place,” Roche concluded.

For information about becoming a CASA of NH guardian ad litem or supporting CASA’s work, visit www.casanh.org.

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About the BIA:

The Business and Industry Association is New Hampshire’s statewide chamber of commerce and leading business advocate. BIA represents more than 400 leading employers in a variety of industries including manufacturing, technology, professional services, financial services, health care, hospitality and tourism, public utilities, higher education, insurance, and many others. Member firms employ 93,000 people throughout the state and contribute $4.5 billion annually to the state’s economy. While proud of its many large members, 69% of BIA members have an annual payroll of $3 million or less. Through advocacy with state legislators and regulators, BIA works to promote a healthy climate for job creation and a strong New Hampshire economy. For more information about the BIA, visit BIAofNH.com