Maria Del Mar Acebron, Senior Teller at the Merrimack’s Business Center, Granite United Way Employee Co-Coordinator and Second Start Board Member stands alongside Jim Snodgrass, Executive Director at Second Start (center) and Heather Hale, Digital Banking Wire Specialist and Employee Co-Coordinator
The employees of Merrimack County Savings Bank (the Merrimack), MillRiver Wealth Management (MillRiver), Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) and New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp (NHMB) pledged $2,374 to Second Start of Concord, NH. This was one of 20 awards given to non-profit agencies, in addition to the money donated directly to the Granite United Way.
NHMB made a dollar-for-dollar match to its employee contribution of more than $47,000 to Granite United Way, and distributed the funds evenly among 20 non-profit agencies selected by employee vote.
“It’s fantastic that our employees voted to send this contribution to Second Start, a wonderful organization, that has positively impacted many lives, like Maria’s from our Business Center,” said Philip Emma, President Merrimack County Savings Bank. “With the help of Second Start, Maria went from student to board member for the organization. Her experience is a testament to the exceptional programs and supportive services of Second Start.”
“When I relocated to Bow from Madrid, Spain almost 30 years ago, it was Second Start that taught me how to speak and read in English,” said Maria Del Mar Acebron, Senior Teller of the Merrimack’s Business Center branch on 190 North Main Street in Concord. “I saw immediately, how difficult it was to do the things I now take for granted like grocery shopping, doctors’ visits and interacting with neighbors, without a proper handle on the language. But it wasn’t until my six year old daughter asked me to read her a picture book, that I realized how imperative it was for me to learn English. I’m incredibly grateful for all the wonderful support Second Start has offered me through the years. It’s truly an honor to give back by serving on their board.”
“It’s rewarding to be able to witness success stories like Maria’s over and over again at Second Start, and we really appreciate being on the receiving end of the NHMB’s generosity,” said James Snodgrass, Executive Director of Second Start. “Support like this strengthens our ability to extend programming and services to as many children and adults as we can.”
19 other non-profits also received donations including the American Red Cross, the Boys & Girls Club of Central NH, Central NH VNA & Hospice, the Circle Program, the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, the Concord Family YMCA, David’s House, the Friendly Kitchen, Genesis Behavioral Health, Habitat for Humanity, Laconia Area Community Land Trust, Lakes Region Child Care Services, the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, New Beginnings, the NH Food Bank, the NH Humane Society, the Pope Memorial SPCA, Riverbend Community Mental Health and the Salvation Army.
Founded in 1971, Second Start was established to improve the economic and educational well-being of New Hampshire residents. Its mission is to help people become more productive workers, family members and community citizens. Programs are offered for adult basic education, HiSET preparation, English for speakers of other languages, job training, career counseling, support for at-risk youth and childcare services. For more information, visit: second-start.org.