Archive for June, 2021

$3.8 million. 584 Nonprofits. 14,342 Donors.

by tracy

$3.8 million.  584 nonprofits receiving donations.  14,342 donors

This June, NH Gives held a 24-hour fundraiser for literally hundreds of nonprofit organizations in our state.  The idea is to get everyone to pick one window of time for maximum awareness to the various local causes.
I had the remarkable opportunity to co-host the kickoff and close of this momentous event with iHeart Radio morning show host extraordinaire Greg Kretschmar, of Greg and the Morning Buzz fame.  I’ve known him and considered him a friend for 20 years, but this was the first chance that we had to actually work on a project together.
There’s something to be said for trust, chemistry, and friendship when it comes to live broadcast.  The ease with which we moved through various updates and live interview segments is a testament to the fantastic organization of the NH Gives team, led by Kristen Oliveri and Mary Jo Brown, but it showcased that the right ingredients, the right plan, the right time can lead to magic.
$3.8 million dollars was raised in 24 hours, a record for the six-year-old event.  Greg and I take zero credit for that success, it belongs to every one of the 14-thousand people who donated.
It was a career highlight for me to be a part of a wild success alongside a group of truly special and gifted individuals.  Greg and I had a blast and are already talking about next year.
For all who gave, my deepest appreciation.  You reinforce what is truly wonderful about our state.  Thanks for supporting nonprofit organizational causes in our state.  Thank you for letting me share in the fun!

 

469 Days and Back to Full Capacity

by tracy
469 days ago, Governor Chris Sununu announced a stay-at-home order for all of New Hampshire, warning all of us to brace and prepare for an unpredictable time in our history and our collective public health.
62 weeks ago, our separation began.  It required discipline and patience.  We focused on staying healthy and keeping our livelihoods.  We adjusted to zoom meetings and to feel disconnected.  We were tested unlike ever before.
Now, that patience and perseverance (along with a WHOLE BUNCH of vaccinations in our region) have paid off.  We are opening up again.  We are stepping back outside and reconnecting in ways we took for granted not too long ago.
It feels like forever, but the finish line, or maybe the starting line, is finally here.  At New Hampshire Motor Speedway, GM David McGrath, Governor Chris Sununu, and BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell gathered to mark the official start to the summer racing season.  We are (choose your favorite racing cliche here) full throttle, pedal to the medal, green flag racing, revving up our economic engines… we are OPEN.
Full capacity.  Full schedule.  We are back to business.  We couldn’t have done it without the partnership and spirit of kinship with the Governor and the state’s leaders.  And we couldn’t have done it without our fans, who came out mid-pandemic for a 2020 summer race that was a life preserver of sorts, but a restricted access event that just felt different even as it felt good.
This summer… we go from asking people to make decisions based on the love of their families’ health to making decisions based on the health and well-being of their favorite activities, events, places, and things to do.  All that pent-up energy, all those nights wishing it was over, all that time waiting… is over.
NHMS is back, and we’d love it if you came to visit!99