CONTACT: Aislinn Kalob
aislinn@volunteernh.org
603-271-7200
CONCORD, NH –
Livestreamed by Concord TV from the Bank of NH Stage on Wednesday, November 17th, the 2021 Spirit of NH Awards honored more than sixty award recipients representing hundreds of volunteers across New Hampshire. These individuals and groups were recognized for their commitment to volunteer service and their stories were highlighted in a week-long social media campaign leading up to the event. The ceremony featured six categories, with special “Outstanding” awards presented to:
- Youth/Young Adult: Anastasia Morrison, Saint Anselm College Meelia Center for Community Engagement
- Adult: Michelle Berke, HAVEN Violence Prevention & Support Services
- Senior: Doug Rebidue, Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County
- AmeriCorps: Cheryl Stevenson, NH Senior Companion Program
- Group: Friends of Aine Volunteer Facilitators
- Volunteer Champion: Bartlett Recreation Department
McGregor Memorial EMS Volunteers, recipients of the Spirit of NH Award
The Spirit of NH Award honors one individual or group which best exemplifies the spirit of service in New Hampshire. The name of this recipient is kept secret until event night when the announcement is made. In 2021, the recipient of the top honor was the McGregor Memorial EMS Volunteers. The primary EMS service in the Durham-Lee-Madbury-UNH area, McGregor Memorial EMS is a nonprofit organization with a team of more than 70 first responders. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these volunteers cared for positive and suspected positive patients in the close quarters of ambulances and staffed countless clinics when vaccines were made available. The NH State Legislature was able to meet safely in person at the University of New Hampshire thanks to the efforts of this team in conducting health screenings. This team of volunteers makes a tremendous impact on their community each day.
Clifton West, recipient of the People’s Choice Award
For the second year, we invited the general public to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award during the week leading up to the live-streamed event. In a live, event-night announcement, Clifton West, Jr was honored with this special award. The co-founder and Executive Director of Black Lives Matter (BLM) Seacoast, Clifton is dedicated to building a sustainable, equitable, and effective racial justice movement in New Hampshire. Since the summer of 2020, Clifton has led the organization in fundraising for community members, supporting unhoused people, holding rallies, and advocating on the city level for policy change. Clifton’s quiet leadership and thoughtful communication skills have made him a beloved leader in his community.
Thank you to our sponsors, including the NH Charitable Foundation and St. Mary’s Bank, and our in-kind sponsor, Concord TV, for helping to make the 2021 Spirit of NH Awards possible.
Visit https://VolunteerNH.org/award-recipients-2021-spirit/ to learn about the award recipients and view the full event recording.
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Volunteer NH is a nonprofit organization established in 2001 and is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and approved by the Executive Council. Volunteer NH envisions our state as a place where people volunteer together to build strong and connected communities. We bring our vision to life by engaging those communities to solve local challenges through volunteerism.