Today is National Philanthropy Day, kicking off the week of the same name. With so many nonprofits serving our community, let’s launch “Upper Valley Philanthropy Week” in our hearts, our minds and with a desire to give back, pay it forward, or volunteer for whatever nonprofit organizations serve us most closely.
An example of this was Ledyard Bank’s recent video contest as part of its 30th anniversary celebration, when it shared short videos of 10 local nonprofits, then rewarded them with a total of $30,000 based on the number of social media votes each video received. Some may view this as creating unnecessary competition between and among local nonprofits, but, as a nonprofit development director, I can assure you that competing with other nonprofits for a limited pool of private funding is a daily occurrence.
Ledyard empowered these 10 nonprofits (The Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, Hartford Dismas House, The Friendly Kitchen, Good Neighbor Health Clinic, Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice, Listen, New Hampshire Children’s Trust, Twin Pines Housing, The Upper Valley Haven and West Central Behavioral Health) by offering them much-heightened visibility and reach with its donation of staff time, social media bandwidth, advertising dollars and, perhaps most important, a sense of urgency, fun and community spirit to this largely independent business of fundraising.
Rarely do people see multiple nonprofits in the spotlight. It’s usually a single nonprofit touting itself as it seeks to raise money: a letter in the mail, a grant proposal via email, a lunch with a prospective donor — those sorts of things. But Ledyard showcased a whole community of mission-driven organizations doing good work here in the Upper Valley and Sullivan County, and even on down toward Concord. The bank helped us see the collective of goodwill shared by many nonprofits. When the for-profit world intersects and champions the not-for-profit world, all boats rise. And when Ledyard’s CEO, Kathy Underwood, made the rounds to deliver checks to each of the 10 nonprofits, I can assure you, all boats did rise on an incoming philanthropic tide.
This week, during “Upper Valley Philanthropy Week,” let’s take stock of what we have and what we can be grateful for. My own gratitude extends to all the people who live in this beautiful region and share a common thread of many strands that binds us together in our love for living here. My gratitude also extends all local nonprofits and volunteers who make our area so pleasant, inviting, friendly and safe. I’m spoiled. I hold doors open for others, but I’ve gotten used to others holding doors open for me. It’s a little thing, but it’s the little things that make this area special. There’s a deep sense of kindness here that doesn’t thrive elsewhere.
As you consider giving thanks, please pay it forward, give back, or offer a helping hand to whichever nonprofit you choose, if you are able to, of course.
I also want to thank CATV8 for offering its services to help us at West Central Behavioral Health produce our video with their gift of a video production intern. We could not have done it without you!
The upcoming holidays are not always an easy time, even when we live in such a special area. Giving back may help us feel good, as may volunteering for a nonprofit cause. Getting outside and being physically active is becoming recognized as a way to help ease symptoms of depression, stress-related anxiety, PTSD and other diseases that may afflict us. Knowing when to seek help before a crisis occurs is critical, and I encourage you to seek professional help if you are feeling down, depressed or if you are isolating yourself for long periods.
The pandemic is not our friend, but there is help available. And if you or someone you know is in crisis, call West Central Behavioral Health’s 24/7 mobile crisis response line at 1-800-564-2578. Trained crisis clinicians are available to help.
Dave Celone, of Sharon, is director of development and community relations at West Central Behavioral Health (wcbh.org).