Gate City Light Award Accepting Nominations For 2025

NASHUA, NH — The City of Nashua’s Mayor’s Volunteer Recognition Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Gate City Light Award, honoring a Nashua-based nonprofit organization and its volunteers for outstanding service and dedication to the community.

Nominations will be accepted through May 2.

The award is presented each year in honor of Volunteer Recognition Week, which is April 20 to April 26, 2025, this year.

The Gate City Light Award is presented annually to spotlight a local organization whose volunteers have demonstrated exceptional commitment to making a positive difference in Nashua. Nominations are open to anyone who has been positively impacted by a nonprofit — whether as a volunteer, donor, client, or supporter.

The nomination form is available online at https://tinyurl.com/GateCityLight2025.

Detailed and heartfelt nominations are encouraged. Respondents are asked to share specific examples of the nonprofit's impact, including inspiring stories, to help the selection committee fully understand and appreciate the organization's work.

Last year, the Friends of the Nashua Public Library received the 2024 Gate City Light Award for their exceptional support of the library through fundraising, advocacy, and volunteerism. In 2023, the group raised over $50,000 to enhance library services, including summer reading programs, cultural events, and technology upgrades.

Marguerite’s Place was named the 2024 runner-up for its transformative support of women and children through transitional housing, education, and childcare. Over the past year, they provided housing for 30 families and over 2,000 hours of educational programming.

The 2024 Unsung Hero Award went to Gate City Bike Co-op for their tireless work providing refurbished bicycles and free repairs to those in need. In the past year alone, they distributed over 200 bikes and hosted 75 repair clinics — ensuring access to sustainable, reliable transportation for many in the community.

Organizations that have won the Gate City Light Award in the past five years are not eligible for nomination in 2025. These include:

• Friends of the Nashua Public Library (2024)
• St. Joseph Hospital (2023)
• United Way of Greater Nashua (2021)
• End 68 Hours of Hunger (2020)

(Note: The award was not presented in 2022.)

“The City of Nashua is fortunate to have an incredible network of nonprofits doing powerful work every day,” Sara Ceaser, the chairwoman of the Mayor’s Volunteer Recognition Committee, said. “We look forward to receiving this year’s nominations and hearing more stories that showcase the heart and strength of our community.”

For more information or to ask questions about the award process, contact Sara Ceaser at sceaser@unitedwaynashua.org or 603-864-0201.

Those interested in volunteer work can explore local opportunities at VolunteerGreaterNashua.org.

Submitted by the Mayor’s Volunteer Recognition Committee