Comedy Bowl Success! A BIG THANK YOU!!

Our Comedy Bowl event held on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 4th was a HUGE SUCCESS! The #'s are in, drumroll please.... over $45,000 DOLLARS raised with ALL proceeds to be granted back to our local community non-profit youth oriented organizations in the coming months.

There is much THANKS to be given to pull off this major fundraising event. First our sponsors (identified below) which provided us the foundational funds to build from. Second, our 400+ amazing guests that came out in the frigid cold and joined us that evening and reached deep into their pockets to buy raffle tickets, bid on auction items and provided drink donations. We hope you enjoyed the event and had lots of laughs with our comedian line-up. And lastly, a big shout out to all of our fellow Rotarians who worked tirelessly to pull off this event. Efforts included the endless solicitation of sponsors and auction items, ticket selling, venue set-up (including our amazing stage backdrop), venue tear down and clean-up, food and bar prep, serving and cleaning, silent auction management, raffle ticket and Super Bowl Square selling, front-desk check-in and coat check crew...the list goes on. Truly an amazing Rotary VILLAGE effort by all.

The success of our largest fundraising event would not happen without our sponsorship support! Please join us in supporting these amazing businesses who are doing good in our communities!

Our major Super Bowl level sponsorship is CLARK INSURANCE!

Touchdown level: BanProv, Matuszewski Architects and Morin Contracting Services

Club level:
College Bound Movers, Edward Jones Investments, Guaranteed Rate Mortgage, Harvey Construction, Lally Property Source, Pro Cut CNC Machine, St. Anselm College, Tokena Corp.

Kickoff level:
ARMI, Bank of New England, Berry Dunn, Boufford Funeral Home, Elliot Hospital, GSC IT Solutions, LAZ Parking, Monarch Title, Parnell Michels & McKay, Primary Bank, Sullivan & Sullivan, Truncellito and Davis Insurance, Waypoint

Safety level:
Arias Spa, Art Burns, Butenhof & Bomster, Cambridge Trust, Franne Ciriello, Craig Donais, Dugan PR, Essex Private Wealth Management, Friends of Aine, Mike Domingue, Granite St. Tire Golf Leauge, Kim Griswold, HarborOne Mortgage, Karen Metz, Primerica, Safe Sports, Linda Seabury, The Write Connection, Wells Fargo

Official 2023 Comedy Bowl Flyer

Meet the Comics!

Join us February 4th for a night of laughter and fun as we raise money for greater Manchester youth organizations. Buffet "tailgate" fare, cash bar, and SILENT AUCTION (more to come about that in later posts).

Headliner - Joe Yannetty

A seasoned professional, comedian Joe Yannetty draws on his travels, his Italian heritage, family situations and Boston blue- collar upbringing to bring family-oriented comedy to audiences around the world. Yannetty has been a guest on dozens of television shows, and has headlined around the world.

Jody Sloane

For the past fifteen years Jody Sloane has honed her skills as a “sit down” comic working as a “Conducktor” for Boston Duck Tours. Impishly perverse, her style is thoughtful, yet edgy; touching on age, divorce, and being raised by wolves.She'll have you convinced that in the darkest corners of truth is comedy.

Rafi Gonzalez

Rafi Gonzalez is a stand-up comedian from Puerto Rico known for his conversational style and material that centers around his experiences with American culture. Originally finding success as the lead singer of a nationally touring rock band, Gonzalez switched gears in 2015 and exploded onto the New England and Boston comedy scenes.

Jeff Koen

Jeff Koen performs standup in and around the Boston area, and has toured New England theaters as the opening act for Juston McKinney. He's also performed with the themed standup show How Men Think (Or Do They?) In 2011, he won the first O'Brien's Comedy Contest in MA, beating out a field of 40 other professional comedians.

Comedy Bowl 2023 - February 4th

COMEDY BOWL 2023 is just around the corner. Saturday February 4th, 6pm - 10pm. Location will once again be at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church located at 650 Hanover Street, Manchester.

Reach out to any Queen City Rotarian for tickets or to purchase a table. Sponsorships are still available and a big thank you to our sponsors so far! See the attached 2023 Comedy Bowl Sponsorship form for more details.

Our major Super Bowl level sponsorship is CLARK INSURANCE! Other sponsors include:

Touchdown level: BanProv, Matuszewski Architects and Morin Contracting Services
Club level: College Bound Movers, Edward Jones Investments, Guaranteed Rate Mortgage, Harvey Construction, Lally Property Source, Pro Cut CNC Machine, St. Anselm College, Tokena Corp.
Kickoff level: ARMI, Bank of New England, Berry Dunn, Boufford Funeral Home, Elliot Hospital, GSC IT Solutions, LAZ Parking, Monarch Title, Parnell Michels & McKay, Primary Bank, Primerica, Sullivan & Sullivan, The Write Connection, Truncellito and Davis Insurance, Waypoint

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours!

Shopping to make Christmas Morning Wishes Come True!

Every year we help to make Christmas morning a little brighter for some families in need. Here are some of our Rotarian’s shopping and wrapping for 8 children who will find their Santa wish list items under the Christmas tree! We delivered these wrapped gifts to the Boys and Girls Club who will make sure they get to the right place for Christmas morning.

Bell Ringing and Singing!

Every year we take the time to ring Bells for the Salvation Army. But we add our own flare and bring some entertainment as well! Here Steve McMahon, Greg Timbas, Brian Tremblay and Lisa Lally are ringing bells at Market Basket in Hooksett.

Taking The Time to GIVE to Those in NEED!

Every Thanksgiving our club collects money from our members, shops and donates food baskets to those in need. This year we were able to deliver 12 baskets to 12 families who are facing a housing crisis and staying at The Way Home on Spruce Street in Manchester. Lindsey Lussier, Housing Counselor at The Way Home, was thrilled to receive our donations which would provide a Thanksgiving meal for all the families staying at the home and additional food for the coming weeks.

Our Speakers Make Rotary Informative and Fun!

Joining us on Nov. 3rd was Nancy Nichols, a Certified Licensed Civil Engineer. Nancy is a lover of the outdoors and is passionate about helping people limit their carbon footprint on the planet through construction options. She does consulting work on basement water intrusion, energy efficiency, property assessment, structural evaluation, plan reviews and engine consulting. She also conducts “Building Forensics” for insurance needs. If the question is to renovate or knock it down, a person of Nancy’s background and training is the one to call.

Nancy is a graduate of West High School and holds degrees from Bowdoin College, UC Santa Barbara and UNH. She is married and has two grown children. She is licensed in NH, ME and MA and has 25 years of experience.

Joining us on Oct. 27th, was the RAISE team - Linda Greer, Arnold Robinson and Kristen Clark. The team spoke about the $25 million RAISE grants awarded to Manchester by the US Department of Transportation for the "South Millyard Project". The city of Manchester has also budgeted a $5 million match to fund the project. The funding will focus on a new roadway with a bridge with pedestrian and bike access over railroad tracks from South Commercial Street to Elm Street and then to Willow Street, a “peanut roundabout” to improve bicycle and pedestrian access near the intersection of South Willow Street and Queen City Avenue and a pedestrian bridge over Granite Street.

The projects were in the planning states as early 2019 with open forums for residents and businesses to share ideas and concerns. The aim of the completed project is to mitigate traffic congestion, provide increased transportation options including biking and walking trails to create opportunities for development throughout South Elm Street. The 4-part project will break ground in 2024 and planned to be completed by 2029.

Joining us on Oct. 20th was Barry Glennon, NH Securities Commissioner. Barry gave a very informative presentation about investment fraud and what to look for when investing your money. His organization has several responsibilities: License Brokers, Regulate Securities, Conduct Field Exams, Investor Education and Enforcement of Regulations. He left us all with a publication from the NH Secretary of State Bureau of Securities Regulation. He told us that the 53–70-year-old age group is targeted the most by scam artists. The traits of a scammer are: works to be a good friend, a good listener, dresses well, they research you, down plays the risk of the scam. He made mention of Ponzi Scheme where investors are paid by funds that are gotten from other investors and not by profits or dividends. The prime investments are promissory notes, real estate and business investments. When the time is right the scammer takes all the money and leaves the investors holding the bag!

Things to look for: Tips from those you know, online or traditional advertising, free lunch/dinner offer, unsolicited calls, junk mail, pressure to act, things you don’t understand and all talk no documentation. Also beware of the phrase “Trust Me”.

Another reason to join Rotary.....Speakers!

Most meetings we enjoy getting updates or learning something new happening in our city. This past Thursday, Attorney Enrique Mesa visited our club and spoke to the QCR club on the "Naturalization Process." Enrique is an experienced attorney in the fields of deportation and family related immigration law. He has more than 10 years of experience dealing with topics such as green card, naturalization, asylum, deferred action, deportation, waivers, and bond hearings. He is also an adjunct professor of immigration law at the UNH School of Law. Enrique was also recognized as one of NH’s 40 under 40.

Have something to share, just reach out to us and we will schedule you in.

Welcome Dylan Brothers!

The Queen City Rotary Club welcomes our newest member Dylan Brothers!

Fellowship Fun

Besides giving back to our community with fundraising and volunteering, our club takes time to have some fun! This year we had our first cornhole tournament with a potluck dinner and Brian and Judy Tremblay even brought their pizza oven over for freshly cooked pizza pies! Great competition during this events, but Kim Griswold and Brian Tremblay took home first place with their skilled playing! Congrats!

Gear Up For School

Taking time to help gear up kids in need with backpacks for school! The Queen City Manchester and Hooksett Area Rotary Clubs organize the initiative annually. Last year our volunteers filled 3,000+ backpacks and distributed to students in need across the Greater Manchester and Hooksett Areas. This year, we are expanding to include children in the NH foster care system.

Recognizing Outgoing Club President

The Queen City Rotary Club celebrates outgoing Club President Monica Labonville during a ceremony at Puritan Conference Center on June 30th. The last year was "a rollercoaster ride navigating through hybrid meetings and getting the club re-engaged post COVID." The term of Ms. Labonville's presidency saw the club perform two successful fundraising efforts, increased attendance and volunteerism. "It's been an honor serving as President this past term and I look forward to continuing to support the club in future committee's and fundraising efforts." "I'd like to thank my Board for all their support as it take's a strong team behind you to be successful." Tom Stewart will be incoming Club President for the 2022-2023 term with officer slate:

President Elect: Shilpi Mehrotra
Vice President: Natalie Jutras
Secretary: Mark Janelle
Treasurer: Melissa Magoon
Director: Ryan Tufts, Valerie Anderson, Jim Edmonson, Jayna Stevens
Past President: Art Burn

Shilpi Mehrotra (incoming President-Elect) presents outgoing President Monica Labonville with a plaque recognizing her term as Club President.

Giving Back

The Queen City Rotary Club is pleased to share the distribution of over $30,000 within our community through our grant giving program. We grant two award levels - Impact and Youth Services,

Our “Impact Grant” recipients receive a larger grant level to support youth programs that make an impact in our communities. The club also looks to partner with these organizations with further support throughout the year through volunteering.

Boys and Girls Club of Manchester
CASA of NH
Manchester Police Athletic Association
The Pass Along Project
Victory Women of Vision

Our “Youth Services Grant” recipients receive smaller grant awards that also support youth programs in our communities:

Aviation Museum
Boy Scout Troop 292
Breakthrough Manchester
Central High School - ESOL Outreach, Art Mural Club, Band, First Robotics Team and World Language Honor Society
Corey's Closet
Franco American Centre
Friends of Aine
Girls at Work
Girls Inc.
Granite YMCA
Hope NH Inc.
Majestic Theatre
Makin' It Happen
Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester
NeighborWorks
NH Audubon - Massabesic Center
Palace Theatre
QC Bike Collective
Roca Kitz Club
Safari Youth Club
Upreach Therapeutic Equestrian Center

Club President Monica Labonville presents Impact Grant Awards to Victory Women of Vision, Boys and Girls Club and CASA of NH.

Scholarship Awards!

Each year our club gives well deserving kids in our community funds to help out with their extended schooling after graduating high school. Our Toolship Awards focus on the trades and we give out two $1500 awards to graduating seniors from the Manchester School of Technology (MSOT). Vaso Partinoudi, Assistant Principal /CTE Director at MSOT (and one of our newest member of our club) is here presenting their awards.

DESIRE SMITH is a student in the cosmetology program. She has successfully completed her 3rd year in the program and is eligible to become certified as a cosmetologist this summer. Desire is a very accomplished person who is a member of several student and professional associations. She is a good student and has already begun working in her chosen career field. Desire works as a receptionist at Supercuts this year an will be joining their staff as a hairdresser once she passes her Cosmetology exam in August.

JADEN BREAULT is a student in the electrical technology program. He always goes above and beyond when it comes to learning new skills and helping other students succeed. After 2 years in the Electrical Technology program, he is well on his way to becoming a successful master electrician and owning his own business. Jaden already applied to the Massachusetts Electrician's Union for an apprenticeship and is waiting to hear back. We are sure he is going to be selected!!!

Roca Kidz Club - Volunteering in our Community!

Rotarians take time to help paint out at Roca Kidz Club location! An important part of our club's mission is to take time and give back to our communities and help support organizations that focus on youth in our communities.

2022 Grant Application Program CLOSED - Recipients notified by June 10th!!!

The Queen City Rotary Club and our Foundation (QCRF) are excited to announce our grant program has returned for the Spring 2022 period and beyond! Like many organizations, COVID impacted our fundraising process and we missed opening up our grant program last year. But after two successful fundraisers over the past year (Road Rally in June 2021 and Reverse Raffle in March 2022) we are back!

Worth highlighting beginning this grant period and moving forward, we have revised our grant program and application process. There are now two grant opportunities* for interested organizations.

The “Impact Grant” – This grant is targeted to organizations whose primary focus is serving the underprivileged youth in the greater Manchester area. It is limited to a maximum of 5 recipients each year. Grants will range from a minimum of $1000 to a maximum of $10,000. In the application, please provide an overall description of the organization and a comprehensive description of the project and how the award will be used (suggested 500 words +/- ). We will also require a mid-year update (supplied by QCRF) on the impact the grant has made for the organization.
The “Youth Services Grant” – This grant supports organizations that have a youth related focus. The maximum award is $1000. In the application, please provide a three to five sentence overall description of the organization, details of the request, and how the funds will be used. Mid-year follow up will not be required for the Youth Services Grant.

* Note: An application may be submitted for both however if an organization is awarded, they will only
receive one grant per year.

The Queen City Rotary Foundation Grant Committee will review the applications for both award levels and make recommendations to our Board of Directors for final grant approval. This committee includes members serving for multiple years to establish and maintain continuity over time.

Our new application is available in the forms section on our home page and details the new information and explanations we are requesting to assist with our decision-making process. Please send completed forms to queencityrotaryclub@gmail.com no later than Friday, May 20^th, 2022. Recipients will be notified in early June and invited to award ceremony at the end of the month.

We look forward to giving back to our local communities!

Monica Labonville
QC Rotary Club President
2021-2022 Term

New Community Catalyst Project!

Gear Up for School - Manchester Memorial High School Gym, August 14th:

Gear Up for School is a backpack drive focusing on bringing together the community (and specifically kids) to assemble 3,000+ backpacks to distribute to other kids in the community. The Queen City Rotary and Hooksett Area Rotary Clubs are looking for volunteers to assemble the backpacks, which will be distributed to kids in the Manchester, Hooksett, and surrounding Southern NH town school systems.

More information on the Community Catalyst page . . . .

https://queencityrotary.org/page/community-catalysts

Hitting the road for a great cause

As part of its ongoing mission to support youth in need across greater Manchester, the Queen City Rotary Club proudly announces the return of a critical fundraiser, The 2021 Road Rally.

Saturday, June 5 @ 3:00 p.m.

Brady Sullivan Building (back parking lot area)

1750 Elm Street, Manchester, NH

“The Road Rally is a wonderful part of our legacy,” said Leslie Gendron, President, Queen City Rotary Club. “And as with all of our efforts, 100% of the proceeds directly benefit youth across the community.”

The Road Rally is “a scavenger hunt on wheels,” according to event chair Rory Parnell. “Teams compete against each other to figure out clues and solve puzzles to find their next destination in the quickest time with the most correct answers. It’s also a neat way to explore greater Manchester and learn about its rich history.”