Nesmith Library Kicks off Named Fund Endowment Program

An endowment fund is an investment in the future, a deeply personal statement of what matters most to an individual. The Nesmith Library Board of Trustees would like to publicly thank and recognize the charter donors of the Nesmith Library’s Named Fund Program, who were honored at a reception at the library on Thursday, March 13.

With the Named Fund Program off to a strong start, the Trustees and Director Carl Heidenblad hosted the donors, along with a number of the town’s elected officials, at a wine-tasting reception sponsored by Lucia Bodega. The five charter donors, Joyce Wilt, Patricia and Tom Barstow, George L. Nesmith, Jr., Peter and Maureen Tousignant, and Mark Branoff, were recognized for their support of the library, a central piece of our town’s social and educational infrastructure. At the reception, a hand-crafted, leather-bound ledger documenting gifts to the Named Fund Program was introduced as a permanent installation at the library.

Representatives from the Windham School Board (Jerome Reckart), Planning Board (Alan Carpenter), and Board of Selectmen (Ross McLeod, Kathleen DiFruscia) and Town Moderator Peter J. Griffin were in attendance to support the fund.

Governor Maggie Hassan sent her regards and wishes for the future success of the project. U.S. Representative Ann McLane Kuster conveyed her congratulations on the endeavor in a speech read by high school senior and Windham resident Stefan Specian, who is interning with the Congresswoman’s office.

"The Town of Windham represents the characteristics we love most about New Hampshire," Kuster said in the speech. "Through unparalleled dedication to community involvement and enthusiastic civic-mindedness, Windham honors its natural environment and cultural history while also embracing change and robust economic development.

"The Town of Windham, like the Granite State, values community and individual ownership of the community by all its residents. The Nesmith Library Named Fund is a great example of these values, which we see all across the state.

"Each volunteer hour and every donation to the library has a long-lasting impact on this community. I applaud you on your commitment to your neighbors, the town of Windham, and the State of New Hampshire."

The Named Fund, created in December 2013, is a permanent fund established to enable donors to honor or memorialize an individual or an organization while having a lasting impact on the community through a partnership with the library. A Named Fund can be established with a minimum contribution of $1,000 and may be added to at any time. The fund will pay tribute to an honoree and materials that directly benefit the public will be purchased with the income it generates. All acquisitions will display the honoree’s name where appropriate.

The Nesmith Library Board of Trustees would like to thank Mike Miloro, assistant librarian and Windham Center School fifth grade teacher, for his work in creating the Named Fund Ledger; Senator Kuster for her kind words; Chuck Palazzo, owner of Lucia’s Bodega, for his expertise in handling the wine tasting; Director Carl Heidenblad for his leadership and initiative in creating the Named Fund Program; and, of course, our five charter donors who have led the way towards the establishment of this fund.