Shown from left are Christine Latino, director of communicstions and charity for The Nash, Max Lowell, past scholarship recipient, Holly Hayden, treasurer of the Craig P. Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship, President Jeffrey Maistrosky and The Nash Security Director Robert Page. Courtesy photo/The Nash Casino

NASHUA – The Nash Casino recently presented a combined $1.2 million in contributions to eight New Hampshire nonprofit organizations on Aug. 26.

The funds were generated from a percentage of games of chance and historical horse racing machine revenues during the month of July. In the first five months of operations, The Nash has generated an unprecedented $7.6 million for New Hampshire nonprofits.

“Being the state’s largest charitable gaming venue is about more than providing a premium entertainment experience–it’s an awesome opportunity to support our local communities,” said General Manager Eric Althaus. “We take pride in giving back and helping our neighbors thrive, whether it’s by supporting local student scholarships, grants for breast cancer patients or summer camps for people who are differently abled, for example.”

The recipients are as follows:

-Souhegan Scholarship Foundation: $160,293

Shown from left are Heather Cook-Osolnick, vice president of marketing for The Nash, Lauren Caulfield, New Hampshire president of the Pink Revolution Breast Cancer Alliance, Vice President Ronda Chrystal, Treasurer Kathleen Hesseltine and The Nash General Manager Eric Althaus. Courtesy photo/The Nash Casino

-Greater Nashua Council on Alcoholism: $160,293

-Ancient Order of Hibernians – Manchester: $163,590

-VFW Post #8641: $163,590

-Lions Camp Pride NH: $146,276

-Pink Revolution Breast Cancer Alliance: $146,276

Shown from left are Heather Cook-Osolnick, vice president of marketing for The Nash, Peter LaPointe, past president of Lions Camp Pride New Hampshire, President Leonard Hall and The Nash General Manager Eric Althaus. Courtesy photo/The Nash Casino

-Craig P. Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship: $165,460

-Nashua International Sculpture Foundation: $165,460

Peter LaPointe, past president of Lions Camp Pride New Hampshire, said the 34-year-old organization offers seven different groups a camp experience in New Durham – from people with juvenile diabetes, autism, sight impairment, people who are wheelchair bound or injured or traumatized veterans, for example. These funds will make it possible to improve accessibility to camp facilities, make important infrastructure upgrades and extend scholarships to more worthy participants.

“This substantial support will allow us to expand our impact in a very real way,” said Diane Manning, co-chairwoman of the Souhegan Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors. “With these funds, we expect to increase the number of scholarships we award by at least 50 percent and also raise the amount of each scholarship awarded.”

The Souhegan Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to students in Amherst and Mont Vernon who are enrolling in higher education and earning degrees as well as career and technical education programs.

Shown from left are Christine Latino, director of communicstions and charity for The Nash, Diane Manning, co-chairwoman of the Souhegan Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors, Co-Treasurer Gail Jordan and The Nash Assistant General Manager Aaron Feinberg. Courtesy photo/The Nash Casino

According to state law, 35 percent of games of chance revenues, and 8.75 percent of HHR machine revenues are set aside for two nonprofits assigned to each week of gaming. The combined revenues are split evenly between the two nonprofits. In addition, 10 percent of games of chance and 16.5 percent of HHR revenues are contributed to the state Education Trust Fund. In July, The Nash sent $1,206,931 to the state fund.