NASHUA – Nearly 80 members of the community joined the YMCA of Greater Nashua for its 129th annual meeting last month.

YMCA CEO Mike LaChance inducted John Callahan, of Hollis, into the agency’s Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for those who have dedicated their time and talent to fulfilling the mission of the YMCA.

Several volunteers were also honored, including Anna O’Herren, Diane Loudenback and Christian Anderson. Several new members were elected to the YMCA’s Board of Directors.

Rich Hillman, product manager at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics; Deane Navaroli, principal at Harrington and Reeves; Gloria Sevitella, regional vice president at Farley White Management Co.; and Kyle Schneck, vice president of commercial lending at Merrimack County Savings Bank, were elected to three-year terms.

Lydia Foley, owner of Purple Finch Properties; Steven King, Health Plan CEO of United Healthcare; and Joseph Thomas, retired CEO of Macom Technology Solutions, were re-elected to three-year terms, as well.

– Telegraph staff

NAMI chapter names new deputy director

CONCORD – A longtime fixture in Nashua’s mental health center was named the new deputy director to NAMI New Hampshire.

The state chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill announced Susan L. Stearns has assumed the new title and role of deputy director. She will oversee the agency’s development efforts and assist with internal operations, as well as represent the organization in a variety of leadership roles throughout the state.

"This is a natural progression for us as an organization, and Susan brings a unique skill set to the position both as a family member and advocate," Ken Norton, NAMI NH’s executive director, said in a statement. "Susan has worked extensively in the area of improving supports and transitions for people with mental illness who are justice-involved, and she is widely respected by our extended NAMI NH family and key stakeholders."

Stearns has served as the agency’s director of philanthropy since 2013. She previously served as director of development for Greater Nashua Mental Health Center at Community Council and director of proposal development at Harbor Homes.

– Telegraph staff

Local nonprofits
receive grants

NASHUA – Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation announced last week the Nashua Center and the Southern New Hampshire Rescue Mission in Nashua were awarded $500 each from the foundation’s Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant program.

Two employees from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and its affiliate, Health Plans, nominated the organizations for the awards. Funds will be used by the Nashua Center to support its adult day services program and by the rescue mission to support the addition of an intern to its staff.

Harvard Pilgrim and the foundation created the Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant program to commemorate Harvard Pilgrim members who died Sept. 11, 2001. The program allows each Harvard Pilgrim employee to award a $500 grant, completely funded by the foundation, to the local charity of his or her choice each calendar year.

Since the program began in 2002, Harvard Pilgrim employees have directed more than $4.6 million to thousands of organizations throughout New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts.

In 2015, more than 95 percent of Harvard Pilgrim employees participated in at least one form of service or giving through volunteering, the Mini-Grants program or Harvard Pilgrim’s annual Employee Fundraising Campaign.

– Telegraph staff

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