Nashua, NH – Nearly 200 people attended the 11th annual Salute Our Soldiers Gala in Nashua on November 12. Hosted by the Nashua Chapter of Easterseals NH Veterans Count, the event raised more than $160,000 for direct assistance to veterans and military members statewide.
The Salute Our Soldiers Gala paid tribute to the contributions of women in the military over the past century. Sy Mahfuz, founder of PRG Rugs in Nashua, served as emcee; Eric Schindler, NH State Director of Bugles Across America, played Taps; and singer and impressionist Tony Pace provided entertainment. The 2022 Founders Award was presented to Anthony Piccola from Chick-fil-A Somerset Plaza and Chick-fil-A Pheasant Lane Mall for supporting New Hampshire service members, veterans and their families.
Catherine Smart, a policy analyst with Applied Research Associates and veteran of the United States Army Military Police, delivered the keynote address. “How do we make somebody a hero? It’s when we sit and we talk about them – and we talk with them,” she said. “To me, being a veteran – especially a woman veteran – has been about finding that community. Even a conversation where you ask somebody what was wonderful, what was a challenge [about their service], and you learn their story and build a connection with that person.”
Easterseals NH Veterans Count directly addresses issues affecting the military community, including suicide risk and mental health, unemployment, homelessness, substance use, and legal concerns. Veterans Count provides emergency financial assistance for food, utilities, housing, transportation, fuel, and vehicle repair.
For more information about Veterans Count, visit VetsCount.org/nh.
About Veterans Count
Easterseals New Hampshire’s Veterans Count was founded in 2007 to provide case management and emergency financial assistance to meet the unexpected needs of service members, veterans, and their families. Veterans Count provides critical and timely financial assistance and services when no other resource is available. Emergency financial assistance may include rental assistance, gas, food, or utility payments. Last year alone, the program served more than 1,660 veterans, assisting them in accessing eligible benefits and services, housing, counseling services, and other needs, including emergency financial assistance to build a sustainable, secure, and viable future. Our commitment is to ensure the dignity, health, and overall well-being of each service member, veteran, and their families. For more information, visit https://vetscount.org/nh/.
About Easterseals New Hampshire
For more than 84 years, Easterseals New Hampshire has provided exceptional services to ensure that all people of all ages with varied abilities and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. As a leader in social services for individuals with disabilities and other challenges, Easterseals NH employs more than 1,600 individuals and provides essential services and on-the-ground supports to more than 23,000 people each year with 11 core programs throughout the state. Visit easterseals.com/nh.
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