- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued the following update on the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
On Friday, April 3, 2020, DHHS announced 61 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 540 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. The new cases are 40 adult females and 21 adult males. The new cases reside in Rockingham (20), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (12), Belknap (3), Merrimack (3), Carroll (1), Cheshire (1), Coos (1), and Strafford (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (11) and Nashua (8). This marks the first confirmed case in Coos County. Seven of the new cases were hospitalized for their illness; thus far, 80 (15%) of the 540 positive cases have been hospitalized. Twenty-one of the new cases have no identified risk factors. Community-based transmission continues to increase in the State and has been identified in all counties with cases. Most of the remaining cases have either had travel to domestic or international locations or have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
DHHS has also announced two additional deaths related to COVID-19. These people were one male and one female, both residents of Hillsborough County who were over 60 years old. We offer our sympathies to the family and friends.
|
New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report
(data updated April 3, 2020, 9:00 AM)
|
NH Persons with COVID-191 |
540 |
|
Recovered |
144 (27%) |
|
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 |
7 (1%) |
|
Total Current COVID-19 Cases |
389 |
|
Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 |
80 (15%) |
|
Persons Tested Negative at Selected Laboratories2 |
6,965 |
|
Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL |
3,813 |
|
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL3 |
94 |
|
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) |
1,775 |
1Includes specimens presumptive-positive at any laboratory and those confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2Includes specimens tested at the NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL), LabCorp, Quest, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and those sent to CDC prior to NH PHL testing capacity.
3Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH PHL. Does not include tests pending at commercial laboratories.
NH DHHS Daily Update on COVID-19 Archive
For more information, please visit the DHHS COVID-19 webpage at https://www.nh.gov/covid19.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
Due to concern for the health and safety of its customers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles has transitioned to phone and online services and appointment only walk-in services consolidated to five locations: Concord, Dover, Manchester, Newport, and Twin Mountain.
Please carefully review the available services listed below:
Driver Licenses
· Non-CDL driving road tests, as well as motorcycle testing, will not be conducted for the duration of the Stay at Home Order.
· All CDL related transactions can be conducted by appointment only. Call 227-4000 to schedule an appointment
· Customers whose licenses have expired or are set to expire between April 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020 may apply for a 6-month license extension. Call 227-4020 to apply for the 6-month license extension over the phone
· REAL ID compliance deadline has been extended until October, 2021. REAL ID transactions will not be conducted for the duration of the Stay at Home Order.
Vehicle Registrations
· Existing vehicle registrations are renewed by your city or town clerk’s office. Please visit your town website or call your local town clerk’s office for vehicle registration renewal options.
· NH DMV 20-day plates as well as NH authorized dealer 20-day plates, issued on or after February 26, 2020, have been given an automatic extension through April 30, 2020.
Drop box services are available Monday through Friday from 8 am until 4:15 pm at the following locations: Concord, Dover, Manchester, Newport, and Twin Mountain.
For all other transactions, please call DMV customer service at 227-4000 to determine the availability of services.
Customers should take advantage of the DMV’s online services, including online driver license renewal, ID renewals, and online ticket pay at www.nh.gov/dmv.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
DURHAM, N.H.— In an effort to support healthcare facilities in surrounding communities and neighboring states, the University of the New Hampshire has fired up 3D printers, usually used as teaching tools, to help make much needed medical parts as well as prepared its recreation facility to serve as a potential overflow space for hospitals focusing on care for critically ill COVID-19 patients.
UNH has shifted into production mode switching over research 3D printers to manufacture plastic headbands that are being used to assemble vital medical face shields that are worn by healthcare workers. Over a dozen 3D printers have already made more than 300 of the essential headbands that go around the forehead and hold the clear plastic face shield in place.
“Everyone at UNH involved is really proud to be a part of this effort,” said Shawn Banker, director of UNH’s University Instrumentation Center. “In the midst of all that is going on, it feels very positive to be able to use our resources to help make something that is desperately needed and will aid the doctors and nurses on the front lines treating patients with the coronavirus. It means a lot to everyone.”
Since students, faculty and researchers are working remotely, along with some printers on the Durham and Manchester campuses, many 3D printers were moved to home offices and garages to help with the cause. At present, there are 15 printers being operated by eight UNH staff as well as one UNH alum who are all actively making parts. They are producing about 40 to 50 headbands a day with the hope of increasing that number with more printers.
The UNH printing effort is being coordinated through the University Instrumentation Center which responded to a request from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, in Kittery, Maine. A team at the shipyard, which is also printing 3D parts are attaching the headbands to shields and distributing the assembled masks to seacoast area hospitals and medical facilities in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts and the Town of Kittery in Maine.
UNH’s Hamel Recreation Center has been converted to help with medical needs and used as a potential overflow and quarantine facility in preparation for an anticipated surge in COVID-19 cases. At the request of Governor Chris Sununu & N.H. Department of Health and Human Services, and in partnership with the N.H. National Guard, the gym at the center was transformed to accommodate 250 patients. The space will be used for patients who have already had medical care at a local hospital but need a few more recovery days before going home, freeing up hospital beds. UNH is also offering resources in support of drive-thru UNH Dining to provide meals to those on campus.
UNH has donated more than 45,000 pairs of gloves, nearly 11,000 surgical masks, 216 protective gowns, 4,800 N-95 respirators and 38 Tyvek suits and donated the personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care facilities. Laboratory equipment is being made available to medical personnel as they work to combat the virus, particularly with regard to ramping up the state's testing capacity.
UNH’s University Instrumentation Center (UIC) supports the research, teaching, and engagement missions of UNH by providing access to the best analytical instruments, scientists, and engineers.
Some of the raw materials used for the 3D printer operating in the UNHInnovation Makerspace were purchased with a donation from the Patten Family Foundation.
The University of New Hampshire inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation, and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health, and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. As one of the nation’s highest-performing research universities, UNH partners with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, and receives more than $110 million in competitive external funding every year to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea and space.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
Over $4 Million in Funding Available to New Hampshire
CONCORD – The Department of Justice announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for the dedicated men and women who maintain public safety in New Hampshire,” said Scott W. Murray, the United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. “Our police and other public safety officers continue to answer the call to duty regardless of the dangers they face from the virus. This funding can provide the necessary financial support to help the law enforcement professionals in New Hampshire who engage in the important work of protecting the safety of the citizens of Granite State.”
“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”
The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations. Many municipalities and counties in New Hampshire are eligible to apply for over $1.2 million in funding. The State of New Hampshire also will be eligible for over $3.4 million in additional funding.
For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued the following update on the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
On Thursday, April 2, 2020, DHHS announced 64 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 479 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. The new cases are 42 adult females and 22 adult males. The new cases reside in Rockingham (17), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (12), Strafford (6), Merrimack (4), Cheshire (1), Grafton (1), and Sullivan (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (19) and Nashua (3). Ten of the new cases were hospitalized for their illness; thus far, 73 (15%) of the 479 positive cases have been hospitalized. Thirty-seven of the new cases have no identified risk factors. Community-based transmission continues to increase in the State and has been identified in all counties with cases. Most of the remaining cases have either had travel to domestic or international locations or have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
DHHS has also announced the fifth death related to COVID-19. The person was a male resident of Hillsborough County under the age of 60 years old with underlying medical conditions. We offer our sympathies to the family and friends.
|
County |
Cases |
|
Belknap |
13 |
|
Carroll |
14 |
|
Cheshire |
8 |
|
Grafton |
38 |
|
Hillsborough - Other |
57 |
|
Hillsborough - Manchester |
63 |
|
Hillsborough - Nashua |
43 |
|
Merrimack |
33 |
|
Rockingham |
170 |
|
Strafford |
35 |
|
Sullivan |
5 |
|
Grand Total |
479 |
New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report
(data updated April 2, 2020, 9:00 AM)
|
NH Persons with COVID-191 |
479 |
|
Recovered |
101 (21%) |
|
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 |
5 (1%) |
|
Total Current COVID-19 Cases |
373 |
|
Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 |
73 (15%) |
|
Persons Tested Negative at Selected Laboratories2 |
6,575 |
|
Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL |
3,672 |
|
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL3 |
114 |
|
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) |
1,700 |
1Includes specimens presumptive-positive at any laboratory and those confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2Includes specimens tested at the NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL), LabCorp, Quest, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and those sent to CDC prior to NH PHL testing capacity.
3Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH PHL. Does not include tests pending at commercial laboratories.
NH DHHS Daily Update on COVID-19 Archive
For more information, please visit the DHHS COVID-19 webpage at https://www.nh.gov/covid19
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
CONCORD, NH –The National Weather Service (NWS) in Gray, Maine issued a Coastal Flood Warning for coastal Rockingham County from 5:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. Friday, April 3, 2020. Widespread minor coastal flooding and significant splash-over are expected.
Widespread flooding of locations near the waterfront is expected, including some damage to vulnerable structures. Low-lying areas may see up to three feet of inundation causing road closures and some locations could become isolated. Moderate to locally significant beach erosion with considerable erosion of protected dune structures due to large breaking waves is expected. Splash-over may lead to ponding of water behind dune structures and result in flooding of roads. A few evacuations may be needed in the most vulnerable areas.
“Turn around don’t drown. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through the water of unknown depth,” said Jennifer Harper, NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director. “Take the necessary action to protect flood-prone property and listen to the recommendations of local public safety officials.”
Do not drive through floodwaters on roadways. Adjust speeds for road conditions – even ponding on roadways can be hazardous.
Residents and visitors in coastal Rockingham County are encouraged to remain informed by monitoring NH Alerts, local community alerts and weather alerts from the National Weather Service.
Harper also offered the following recommendations:
· Have what you need and know what to do to be safe.
· Check on the welfare of elderly or handicapped relatives or neighbors.
· Sign up for NH Alerts to receive emergency information via your mobile and landline phones, including severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service and emergency information from NH HSEM. Sign up for NH Alerts at nh.gov/nhalerts.
· Visit ReadyNH.gov to learn what to do to stay safe.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued the following update for April 1, 2020, on the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2020, DHHS announced 48 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 415 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. The new cases are 30 adult males and 18 adult females. The new cases reside in Rockingham (17), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (5), Cheshire (3), Carroll (2), Grafton (2), Strafford (2), Belknap (1), and Merrimack (1) counties, and in the cities of Nashua (9) and Manchester (6). Eight of the new cases were hospitalized for their illness; thus far, 58 (14%) of the 415 positive cases have been hospitalized. Fifteen of the new cases have no identified risk factors. Community-based transmission continues to increase in the State and has been identified in all counties with cases. Most of the remaining cases have either had travel to domestic or international locations or have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
DHHS has also announced the fourth death related to COVID-19. The person was a female resident of Sullivan County who was over 60 years old with underlying medical conditions. We offer our sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased.
|
County |
Cases |
|
Belknap |
13 |
|
Carroll |
14 |
|
Cheshire |
7 |
|
Grafton |
36 |
|
Hillsborough - Other |
45 |
|
Hillsborough - Manchester |
44 |
|
Hillsborough - Nashua |
40 |
|
Merrimack |
28 |
|
Rockingham |
154 |
|
Strafford |
30 |
|
Sullivan |
4 |
|
Grand Total |
415 |
New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report
(data updated April 1, 2020, 9:00 AM)
|
NH Persons with COVID-191 |
415 |
|
Recovered |
91 (22%) |
|
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 |
4 (1%) |
|
Total Current COVID-19 Cases |
320 |
|
Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 |
58 (14%) |
|
Persons Tested Negative at Selected Laboratories2 |
6,078 |
|
Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL |
3,494 |
|
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL3 |
126 |
|
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) |
1,325 |
1Includes specimens presumptive-positive at any laboratory and those confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2Includes specimens tested at the NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL), LabCorp, Quest, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and those sent to CDC prior to NH PHL testing capacity.
3Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH PHL. Does not include tests pending at commercial laboratories.
NH DHHS Daily Update on COVID-19 Archive
For more information, please visit the DHHS COVID-19 webpage at https://www.nh.gov/covid19.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is urging communities to continue to support children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing, economic uncertainty and less access to community supports can place additional stress on families, which can put children more at risk for abuse and neglect. This April, during Child Abuse Prevention Month, DHHS urges everyone to be on alert for signs of child abuse and neglect, as we all play a part in promoting the well-being of children and families throughout New Hampshire.
March data from the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) shows a significant decrease in referrals to DCYF’s Central Intake, compared to the same time period over the past two years. New child abuse and neglect referrals are down nearly 50% each week overall, and DCYF is experiencing decreases in referrals from community members who normally see children face-to-face on a regular basis, including schools and child care settings (63%); mental health providers (43%); social workers (54%); and medical providers (40%). Referrals from law enforcement agencies were comparable and referrals from parents and families increased by 38%.
Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued Emergency Order #22, which authorizes emergency funding for critical child protection services, including domestic violence and substance use supports, expansion of the DCYF Strength to Succeed Program, additional technology support for DCYF-involved families, and the creation of a support line to help families address and manage interpersonal challenges. This funding will ensure that New Hampshire families continue to receive the right services at the right time during the COVID-19 emergency.
“People who are not currently seeing children and families due to the necessary social distancing measures aren’t contacting us as they normally would, but our families are still feeling the stress of the disruption of family routines,” said DCYF Director Joe Ribsam. “It is as important as ever to make sure we check on our families, kids and even older youth to let them know we care. Ask kids how they’re doing, how their loved ones are doing, if they need anything. Follow social distancing rules, but remain social – our families need the community connections that keep them strong and healthy.”
There are several resources that can support New Hampshire families during the COVID-19 outbreak, including NH 211, the Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (1-866-644-3574), and the New Hampshire Children’s Trust. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call DCYF at 1-800-894-5533.
For more resources for residents, please visit https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/residents.htm.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
User Rating: 5 / 5
There’s a lot of enthusiasm at Seacoast Mask Makers, an organization that was established only one week ago, and already has 1,400 members that are helping to sew face masks for First Responders, Retirement Homes, Police & Fire, and Correctional Facilities. They’ve completed 4,000 masks, and have already distributed 3,000 of them to local organizations in the Seacoast. This could be a major defense against Coronavirus hitting small communities hard like Barrington, NH.
Sarah Lachance has been working for the group from the very beginning – she saw the message that went out on Facebook from Javi Kalback, Founder and Logistics Engineer, asking for volunteers to make masks for healthcare workers. They shifted their mission of serving healthcare workers, like many hospitals, like Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover are only accepting them as a backup supply because they still have a supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) right now. Seacoast Mask Makers wanted to make sure that the masks were getting into the hands of people that needed them the most. Sarah said they don’t have masks sitting around.
There are dozens of groups that have requested masks so far, with most already receiving distributions. Seacoast Mask Makers is working with their partners to gain authorization to publicize additional organization as requesting or receiving masks. The following organizations are among those that are being served:
· Durgin Pines – Kittery, ME
· Edgewood Centre – Portsmouth, NH
· Hyder Family Hospice – Dover, NH
· Riverside Rest Home – Dover, NH
· Rochester First Responders – Rochester, NH
· Rockingham County Jail – Brentwood, NH
· Strafford County DOC – Dover, NH
· Wentworth Senior Living – Portsmouth, NH
Organizations can submit a request for the masks from Amy Ouellette, their intake coordinator. Riverside Rest Home has already requested several hundred masks. The Department of Corrections has also requested a fair amount because there’s no way to social distance inside prisons.
The masks are made from 100% cotton, so the cloth is readily available. It’s the elastic that is in short supply, used to make the straps. The masks need to be washed before use. The people that use these masks may not have the more advanced N95 masks, or they may use the cloth masks to prolong the life of the disposable N95 masks.
The masks provide 50-85% of the protection that an N95 mask provides. The cotton masks are being provided to local organizations, and some of the mask makers are also making them for themselves and their families. The pattern to make the cloth masks are available from Deaconess Hospital. You can also find out how to Donate Masks.
The Seacoast Mask Makers use donation hubs across the seacoast where people can drop off and pick up materials. This helps to ensure social distancing. There’s a supply coordinator that determines if there are supplies in various locations, and runners distribute supplies as needed to ensure each hub has what it needs. Kyle LaChance, the Supply Coordinator, has been instrumental in managing their hubs and ensuring that they're kept supplied.
Anyone who is sick or suspects they are sick or has been in contact with anyone that is sick, should not volunteer according to Sarah Lachance. She said they completed 1,075 masks on Saturday, and 572 masks on Sunday (less due to the rain), as well as 1,200 masks on Monday. “The requests keep coming in,” Sarah said, “We want to get our sewers ready so we can meet the demand when it comes.”
They’ve only been doing this for a week. The masks are only available for the Seacoast, however, there are other mask groups working to produce 100 million masks as part of the challenge from the American Hospital Association.
The Rosie The Mask Maker image brings back memories of the Rosie the Riveter moment during World War II, which Sarah says is “something for us all to collaborate on,” even though everyone is in their homes. Sarah said there’s another group they found that uses a similar image, however, she said their Photoshop skills are much better.
Rosie The Mask Maker was created by Trevor Barlett, Sarah’s boyfriend. Sarah acts as the Press contact for the group and also manages the Facebook page. She said, “If anybody has any materials they’d like to donate, we’re still accepting them!”
To request masks from our organization: https://tinyurl.com/seacoastmaskrequests
To volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/seacoastmaskhelp
Contact Seacoast Mask Makers:
Inquiries: Javi Kalbeck
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://seacoastmaskmakers.org
Twitter: @seacoastmasks
Instagram: @seacoastmaskmakers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/seacoastmaskmakers/
- Details
- Written by Kat Roedell
- Category: Articles
One of the many features provided to organizations by Barrington Town News is the Business Directory, which provides listings for each organization and business in town. This curated listing can be kept up to date by local businesses, and it provides features such as the ability for prospective customers to schedule meetings and request quotes. With the yellow pages going out of business, and the increase of mobile phone usage, a business directory listing is a huge advantage for local advertisers in Barrington, NH.
The difference between most listings and a curated listing is there is an effort made to make certain that the data is the most current and accurate. This is managed either by the businesses themselves through allowing a business owner to “claim” their listing, or by Barrington Town News through direct contact with the businesses.
One Barrington Town News Business Directory program is the “sponsored” listings for non-profit organizations. This allows business owners to select a local organization of their choice to receive a listing for free, through an act of kindness by that business owner to sponsor the listing. Barrington Town News doesn’t charge non-profit organizations the fee that the business owner pays for their listing – instead, the business owner donates to the non-profit organization, and in turn sponsors the non-profit organization.
This is a great way to give back to our community, since many non-profits have limited or non-existent marketing budgets. They get their directory listing for free, so everyone can find up-to-date information about their organization and the cost of that listing is donated to the non-profit on an annual basis from the sponsoring business.
Big Hit Media recently sponsored the local group of NH Quilts of Valor through an exclusive sponsorship of their business directory listing. Big Hit Media is a local advertising firm, specializing in digital marketing strategies, web design, and many other services. Scot Villeneuve, the owner, comes from a family of veterans, and when asked why he sponsored NH Quilts of Valor, his response was:
“I come from a family of combat and non-combat veterans. My father served in the infantry in the Korean War while my Father-in-law served in the Army during World War II and was on the beach during the D-Day invasion. The lessons I learned growing up ingrained in me a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by others on my behalf. I love the idea that these hand-made quilts are thoughtfully crafted to say, “thank you” to the brave men and women who serve.”
According to Scot, his company, Big Hit Media and its employees have a profound respect for the veteran community, and will always be supportive. Scot was a founding board member of ‘Building Dreams for Marines’, and also serves the veteran community of New Hampshire through various outlets. His goal for giving is to demonstrate appreciation to the heroes that serve.
Charlene Roche, the group leader of the local NH Quilts of Valor group, also known as “Bare Bones Quilters”, was founded in 2013. When asked what she thought about Scot’s commitment to contribute $100 a year to NH Quilts of Valor to sponsor their directory listing, she said, “Oh my gosh! We are so thrilled that we can go on for another year.”
“He has such a connection with other organizations… [that can help us]”, Charlene said. She mentioned how Ben Miller, who works at Big Hit Media, also has such a dedication to veterans. Charlene said, “We’ve been getting a lot of things from the National Headquarters [of Quilts of Valor],” such as the fact that there are now 14,000 quilts that need to be awarded.
“The more people hear about it, the more veterans want them,” Charlene said while mentioning that the State Coordinator, Donna Swanson was featured on NH Chronicle on WMUR. She said 26 veterans reached out after two airings of the segment.
Charlene also mentioned how another local group, “Quilts of Valor Stars,” has 4,000 members, and negotiates fabric contracts at cost with large companies, and produces their quilts for veterans that are out-of-state.
Scot Villeneuve offered to help NH Quilts of Valor with marketing their Facebook page. While she was at Big Hit Media talking with Scot and Ben, she said there was a fellow that came in, a Navy veteran from the 1960s, and she asked, “Were you touched by war?” He responded, “No,” and she said that the charter says that they must have been “touched by war” to receive a quilt.
There’s currently a deliberation going on at the National Headquarters, in which they are trying to interpret what is meant by the term “touched by war,” because currently, they thought that this left out soldiers who were mechanics or doctors not on the front lines of battle.
Charlene Roche said that Coronavirus has really impacted how their group can operate since all of the members of Bare Bones Quilters are over 70 years old and must be extremely careful now. Before the Coronavirus pandemic broke out, they had meetings with members from as far away as Tewksbury, Massachusetts, in addition to Berlin, Brentwood, and Somersworth, New Hampshire. The meetings have been held in Center Harbor twice a year until the closing of Keepsake Quilting. They hope to reconvene someplace in that area to accommodate members in Berlin in the future.
All the group’s meetings have been halted for three months, which the timeframe may increase or decrease depending upon what happens with the pandemic. Hobby Lobby called them because they were closing, and they told them “Use of the classroom and classes were canceled due to COVID-19.”
“When we start meeting again, we’re always looking for new members to come and sew with us,” said Charlene. She thinks it’s really great that everyone is coming together to create masks for health workers, but she said her daughter works at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, and she told her that they are not accepting masks.
There’s been so much attention on the subject of masks, that the President of the national Quilts of Valor organization advised all members to call ahead before creating face masks, because it’s uncertain what places will accept them.
Charlene just donated some homemade surgical hats, which are worn over the forehead all the way to the back of the head to contain a surgeon’s hair. “It was something to put a smile on their face – because they have a new hat.”
She also mentioned that she found out that specialty nurses and doctors don’t qualify for the $1200 checks from President Trump’s stimulus bill because they make too much money. She said she’s not aware of any QOV groups working on face masks at this time.
Some more interesting facts:
· Bare Bones Quilters, AKA NH Quilts of Valor, has awarded 130 quilts from their local group.
· They’ve only lost six quilts that were on their way to Louisiana. They disappeared in New Jersey.
The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. By providing hand-made quilts to service members and veterans, the mission is fulfilled. Charlene Roche is the local group leader and can be contacted by messaging at https://www.facebook.com/nhquiltsofvalor/
Page 5 of 31