Saint Francis of Assisi

The 2008 Shack-A-Thon was a success.  Twenty-two high school students  and 8 adult chaperones braved the cold fall evening to make a statement about homelessness.  Together they raised $1500 which will be donated to The Way Home in Manchester, and the Nashua Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.  These donations were collected by the participants from friends and family.  In turn, the participants spent the night in cardboard houses on the church property. 

The evening included a BBQ, (special thanks to Mike Miller and Ike  Dittbenner our Chefs), Open Mic, (featuring Peg with a reflection on This Land is Your Land, Jimmy and Zack on guitar, and Jyl singing a few original tunes), a movie, and a bon fire (stoked by our own Father Ray).  Thank you also to our chaperones Adele and Glen Rochussen, Vicki Fontaine, Steve Viggiano, Denise Belanger, Valerie, and Jim Somers; to our servers including the previously mentioned and Tracey Miller; to Larry Sott for his canopy (even though we broke it during the windy afternoon); and to the O'Neil family and O'Neil Cinema in Londonderry for their generous donation of popcorn.  

The night was as cool as 42 degrees, and the dew came fast and furious.  Some had to dry their sleeping bags by the fire because they had unrolled them and left them exposed to the night air.  In the morning we awoke to a fantastic pancake breakfast cooked by John Castelot, Ike Dittbenner, and Adele Rochussen.

For all who supported this event by making a donation, attending the BBQ, bringing a dish to share, or just stopping by to see us - we sincerely thank you for helping to make the 2nd Anual Shack-A-Thon a success.  We pray that your donations and good will truly make a difference in our communities.  Everyone deserves a place to call home - may our efforts bring about a lasting change.