New Hampshire Congressional Delegation Attends Toys for Tots Kickoff, Harbor Care Thanksgiving Meal

(Manchester, NH) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), alongside U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), attended the 38th Annual Toys for Tots Campaign Kickoff at the Mall of New Hampshire. This event marks the start of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation’s drive for the upcoming holiday season, which is sponsored by the Bravo Co., 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment based in Londonderry. Photos from today’s events can be found here.

"The annual Toys for Tots Campaign Kickoff captures the true spirit of the holiday season and helps ensure that children in New Hampshire feel included in holiday celebrations,” said Shaheen.  “I’m grateful for the U.S. Marine Corps and local retail community that make this drive possible by contributing their time and energy into this wonderful program.”

“I am consistently impressed by the all-hands-on-deck spirit of the people of New Hampshire, something that is exemplified by all of those who are supporting Toys for Tots this holiday season,” said Hassan. “Every child deserves to feel loved and cared for, and one way we can do that is by providing a gift to children who might otherwise go without. It was great to join today’s kickoff of this important annual tradition.”

“Every child deserves to have a happy holiday, and Toys for Tots is a shining example of the New Hampshire way of bringing people together to support our friends and neighbors,” said Kuster. “I want to extend my thanks to everyone involved in organizing this wonderful tradition – from the United States Marine Corps and the Mall of New Hampshire to the generous Granite Staters who contributed donations – these gifts mean so much and bring cheer to families who need our support, especially during the holidays.”

“Toys for Tots helps ensure kids from all across New Hampshire have a happy holiday season,” said Pappas. “I’m glad to support their work and kick off their annual toy drive at New Hampshire’s largest donation site this morning.”

Later in Nashua, the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation attended the 20th annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration at Harbor Care. This annual event welcomes more than 300 individuals and families, providing them with a meal for the Thanksgiving holiday and access to needed resources. The delegation was joined by Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess and Alex Ray, owner of the Common Man restaurants, which donated all of the food for the day’s event.

“I was glad to attend Harbor Care’s annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration today to applaud the important work Harbor Care does on behalf of the community as well as assist in serving meals to those in need,” said Shaheen. “During the holiday season and beyond, it's important we work to ensure those impacted by homelessness and housing insecurity have access to the resources they need.”

“I’m grateful for all that Harbor Care does for veterans and Granite Staters in need, including health care, housing, employment support,” said Hassan. “The turnout of volunteers we saw at Harbor Homes, today and at similar events across the Granite State, embodies the New Hampshire spirit of giving back to our communities, and I’m glad that I was able to take part in today’s event.”

“Harbor Care is a lifeline for so many people in our community, especially during the holidays,” said Kuster. “It was an honor to join their 20th annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration and help serve holiday meals. Thank you to the dedicated staff and volunteers who go out of their way every day to ensure all of our neighbors have the support they need to thrive and a safe place to enjoy a meal over the holidays.”

“I was honored to join Harbor Care to serve Thanksgiving dinner this afternoon and support the work they do to help Granite Staters experiencing homelessness,” said Pappas. “Harbor Care’s efforts to ensure individuals and families in need can access supportive services are critically important to the well-being of our communities.”

Harbor Care is a Nashua-based non-profit organization that assists individuals and families in need by providing stable housing, medical and mental health care, substance misuse treatment and other vital services.

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