Please enjoy these stories about projects funded by The Tamworth Foundation:
A beautiful mural displayed at the Transfer Station
The Tamworth Transfer Station is one of the busiest places in town. Most of us visit it frequently! This year, thanks to a generous donation from the Tamworth Foundation, Brett School students were able to create a beautiful mural to display at the transfer station. The idea for the mural came from the Tamworth Recycling Project and the Arts Council of Tamworth, but it took support from the Tamworth Foundation to turn the idea into an actual work of art.
The mural, designed by the students and their art teacher Angela Driscoll, celebrates the natural beauty, historic landmarks, and wildlife in Tamworth. Children thought about ways to help protect natural resources through recycling and reducing waste and incorporated their ideas into the artwork. Community volunteers also had a role and helped paint the background for the mural. Next time you are at the transfer station, take a moment and savor the student ideas! ~Ellen Farnum, Transfer Station Improvement Committee Secretary
Willie Farnum and Dick Lennon, Tamworth Recycling Project Members, admiring the new mural at the Tamworth Transfer Station. Photo by Ellen Farnum
Critically, Creatively, Expansively
I love that the Tamworth Foundation encourages and trusts local organizations to think critically, creatively, expansively about what programs and projects will benefit the people of Tamworth. We've received grant support for such a variety of projects: outdoor music performances, a summer STEM program for kids, a prototype of a mobile library, and a local history internship, to name a few recently funded projects. Chances are that if you visit or use the resources of the Cook Memorial Library, your experience will be improved by projects funded by a Tamworth Foundation grant. ~Mary Cronin, Director, Cook Memorial Library, Tamworth
Riverside Serenade behind the Cook Memorial Library, September 4, 2021, with musicby the White Mountain Ceili Band. Photo by Mary Cronin
Summer Day Camp for local children
The Bearcamp Center for Sustainable Community does good works in the heart of Carroll County, NH, especially to address food insecurity, out-of-school education programming, and elder initiatives.
A team of experienced educators and teen assistants run a two-month summer day camp for area children. The Tamworth Foundation funds scholarships for students from Tamworth. Below are some words from parents expressing gratitude for this great summer opportunity for their children.
All photos by camp staff.
• I was surprised at how excited they were about fishing, campfires, field games and fairy houses…. So many activities to keep them engaged and having fun. As a parent, I can’t tell you how nice it was to pick up my children every day with smiling faces. I run my own little business right here in town, and I’m not sure how I could have made ends meet this summer without the help of this camp. To the Tamworth Foundation and all other donors, thank you for making this possible.
• Being a single parent is hard enough on the parent and sometimes it’s harder on the kids. The necessity only aspect of life happens and sometimes there is no money for extras. Camp would be one of those extras. Because of your donation my child was able to have an experience at summer camp this year rather than hearing about that experience from her friends. We greatly appreciate that the chance for her to go was given to her as she wouldn't have been able to go otherwise.
• He got to pick the topics that interested him which just means he is more involved because it is something he wants to do. He learned so much about fishing and building. He made friends and did amazing, and I think the small groups and clear directions helped him a lot. He looked forward to this camp each day when he went. And had a blast. I would also love to thank all the counselors and leaders who gave up their summer to work with these kids and who had patience and did an amazing job throughout the summer.
• My son is already talking about the activities he wants to do next year that he really enjoyed this year. For him, being able to see his school friends has been really special. For me, knowing he was able to have fun and be outdoors while his father and I worked definitely reduced family stress. Summer can be so hard for working parents — the summer camps around here are priced out of reach for most local families.
• What was offered this year was amazing. It was my kids' first camp experience and they loved it! I knew they were happy and safe while learning social skills and playing with and making new friends. From a financial perspective, the assistance made it possible for them to attend. The generosity was above and beyond, and we are very thankful.
• The girls had a blast and are sad it is over. It gave them someplace fun to go while their Dad and I worked. They enjoyed the different activities like fishing, horseback riding, wood shop and crafts! Thank you all for taking care of our kiddos this summer!
• My 6-year-old knew just a few other kids by sight when I dropped her off on Monday morning. By the time I picked her up, she had two new best friends and they all were clamoring for a play date. Camp was clearly structured to keep kids playing and learning but also to give them space and time to be kids together. Thank you, Lianne and the TCS crew!
First Annual Silas Berrier Memorial Seek the Joy Comedy Night
The Tamworth Foundation believed in plans for the First Annual Silas Berrier Memorial Seek the Joy Comedy Night, held on August 22, 2022. In the spring of 2022, the Tamworth-based community group, STJ Productions, partnered with Northern Human Services to raise funds and awareness towards improving support for Tamworth individuals and families grappling with mental health challenges. A generous Tamworth Foundation “seed money” grant to Northern Human Services gave STJ Productions the ability to produce a very professional event, providing us in our first year the financial ability to pay for radio and print media advertising, along with event material design and printing, including stunning posters, event programs, and tickets.
The First Annual Seek the Joy Comedy Night was a sold-out success! Performers and attendees alike were caught up in the upbeat magic of an evening that not only showcased three very funny comedians, but also what a community can do when it comes together. Thanks to the Foundation grant in 2022, the Second Annual STJ Comedy Night, to be held on August 22, 2023, will be financially self-sustaining. ~ Amy Berrier