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On Oct. 28, CASA of New Hampshire held its inaugural CASA at the Heart event at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord. It recognized those valued advocates, supporters, and friends who have all played a role in helping to change children’s lives over the past year.

Among those honored included 71 volunteer advocates who reached milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service to the organization. CASA also recognized the recipients of several community partner awards and our outstanding advocate of the year award.

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan received the inaugural Director’s Award, which honors an individual (or individuals) who has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to supporting and promoting CASA of New Hampshire. It recognizes those who have had significant and far-reaching impact in regard to advancing CASA of NH’s work on a variety of levels. Throughout their careers, from their tenure as governors to their current roles in the U.S. Senate, Sens. Hassan and Shaheen have both demonstrated a longstanding commitment to New Hampshire’s children.

Jeanmarie Foisie of Lyndeborough received the Linda Egbert Outstanding Advocacy Award, which 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. Foisie has advocated on behalf of 15 children in her nine years as a volunteer advocate.

Carol Goldstein of Auburn received the John McDermott Champion of Children Award, which celebrates the work of one person whose tireless advocacy has influenced the lives of many. Goldstein served as the juvenile clerk in the Nashua Family Court for three decades until her recent retirement.

Master Thomas Cooper received the Judicial Service Award, which is given to a judge or judicial official whose outstanding contributions exemplify CASA’s mission to protect the best interest of the child and whose support helps to promote the success of the CASA/GAL volunteer program. He has served as a Marital Master for the State of NH Judicial Branch since 2008.

Kurt and Sue Mathias of Nashua received the Community Partner Award, which highlights CASA’s valuable community partners and the support, engagement, and resources they’ve given to further the mission of the organization. The Mathiases are the former owners of Boston Billiard Club & Casino. As one of Boston Billiard’s nonprofits of choice, CASA has been the recipient of charitable gaming funds since 2017.

“It was such a joy to gather again in-person and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our advocates, community partners, and friends of CASA. The evening was truly a celebration of all the remarkable individuals who have made a tremendous impact on the lives of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable children and youth,” says Marcia Sink, CEO and President of CASA of NH.

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.