Easterseals Nashua Veterans Count Raises $160K At Annual Gala

NASHUA, NH — The Nashua Chapter of EasterSeals New Hampshire Veterans Count raised $160,000 for direct assistance to veterans and military families statewide at its 11th annual gala last weekend.

The Salute Our Soldiers Gala was held Saturday at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua. The event, which drew nearly 200 people, paid tribute to the contributions of women in the military over the past century.

Catherine Smart, a policy analyst with Applied Research Associates and veteran of the U.S. Army Military Police, delivered the keynote address. In the speech, Smart asked the question "how do we make somebody a hero?"

"It's when we sit and we talk about them — and we talk with them," Smart said. "To me, being a veteran — especially a woman veteran — has been about finding that community. Even a conversation where you ask somebody what was wonderful and what was a challenge (about their service), you learn their story and you build a connection with that person."

The Salute Our Soldiers Gala was emceed by Sy Mahfuz, founder of PR Rugs in Nashua. Singer/impressionist Tony Pace provided the entertainment.

"Taps" was played by Eric Schindler, NH state director of Bugles Across America.

Also at the event, the 2022 Founders Award was presented to Anthony Piccola, from Chick-fil-A Somerset Plaza and Chick-fil-A Pheasant Lane Mall, for supporting service members, veterans and their families in New Hampshire.

According to its literature, Easterseals NH Veterans Count directly addresses issues affecting the military community, including suicide risk and mental health, unemployment, homelessness, substance use, and legal concerns. Veterans Count also provides emergency financial assistance to members of the military community for food, utilities, housing, transportation, fuel, and vehicle repair.