Easterseals evening with John Samenfeld
Manchester, NH – Easterseals N.H. will celebrate its 80th anniversary this year, journey through a “brand renaissance,” and kick off their “Big Ideas for Building Independence Capital Campaign.”
The inspiration for the 2016 Big Ideas project came in the form of a generous $500,000 gift from PROCON and the Stebbins Family. PROCON’s gift was given in tribute to former Easterseals N.H. board member and PROCON vice chairman, John Samenfeld, who has been a strong supporter and champion of the organization’s programs and services for more than 32 years.
The Big Ideas campaign will allow Easterseals N.H. to renovate its 60,000sf building located at 555 Auburn Street in Manchester.
At the 2016 Annual Celebration of Giving evening in November, PROCON CEO and chairman, Mark Stebbins, along with Sally Stebbins, were joined by Easterseals N.H. President and CEO Larry Gammon, who announced the naming of the renovated building as The Easterseals New Hampshire John A. Samenfeld Center. The Stebbins Family and PROCON would like Easter Seals to use it as a challenge to raise an equal amount.
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News of the PROCON donation and Capital Campaign kick-off was announced at the celebration, held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester. Easterseals community leadership, supporters, volunteers, and clients who have benefited from its services attended the event. An upgraded facility will enable the expansion of its existing programs while moving current (offsite services) into the new and improved space. The resulting consolidation of staff and programs under one roof will provide “one-stop-shopping” for valued clients.
Easterseals construction signage
The evening’s moving testimonials, speeches and performances came to a crescendo with the drumroll announcement of PROCON’s $500,000 gift.
For the last 32 years, John Samenfeld has contributed significantly to Easterseals NH. He has chaired various committees of the board, as wells as fundraising campaigns, and has consistently been a leader in securing funds for their programs, raising more than $500,000 throughout the years. He has made a tremendous impact for those served by Easterseals. “I am humbled, honored and so grateful to the Stebbins family and my PROCON family for giving Easterseals its largest single gift ever and to the Easterseals Board for naming the Center after me. Most importantly the gift also honors the Easterseals administration and staff, who work tirelessly to provide our NH community with the best services available and our clients and families who will be better served by the updated and modern space,” stated John Samenfeld.
Senior Advancement Officer Karen Van Der Beken recalled her experience on the board with Iadded Pamela Dube, Senior Director of Communications.
Although Samenfeld’s last board term ended in 2011, he has remained supportive of Easterseals as a former board member through the Annual VIP Campaign raising funds in the business community. Recognized for his commitment and outstanding efforts, he was the 2008 recipient of the Eugene Van Loan III Leadership Award. The PROCON and Stebbins Family gift are to honor his legacy in the Easterseals NH community.
PROCON has been an active supporter of Easterseals for decades. In 2004 their generous gift led the way for the organization to start an Autism Clinic. Over the years, the Company, along with John Samenfeld has championed Easterseals through numerous campaign activities raising visibility and community awareness for those with disabilities in the state.
The Auburn Street facility has been home to children, adult and senior services since 1982. The building’s total renovation costs are estimated at $3.5 million, and plans are to raise $2.5 million and finance the difference. To date, $1.7 million has been raised, including the Stebbins gift. Phase I of the renovation work began in October and is expected to be completed next summer, simultaneous with the campaign’s conclusion, and followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony.
In total, Easterseals NH offers 90 different programs and impacts nearly 27,000 people in the New Hampshire community each year. Ultimately, all the initiatives have one clear goal in mind of more effectively serving the people of the community and the state of New Hampshire. The branding may be evolving with a renewed clarity and relevance, but the purpose remains strong, serving as a guidepost for change in the way disabilities are defined and making a difference for years to come.
Larry Gammon summed up the Big Ideas Campaign saying, “This would not be possible without the generous gift from The Stebbins Companies, nor the lifetime commitment that John Samenfeld has given to Easterseals, and we are proud to name this most comprehensive social services center in New Hampshire the John A Samenfeld Center. Our Board, staff, and thousands of consumers will be forever grateful.”
