Easterseals NH cuts ribbon on $2.6M renovation of Auburn Street center

Renovation allows for the Easterseals NH Oral Health Center.

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Ribbon is cut! From left: Ellie Cochran, Easterseals NH Capital Campaign Steering Committee Co-Chair, Charlie Goodwin, Easterseals NH Capital Campaign Steering Committee Co-Chair, Thomas Raffio, President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, Sally Stebbins, PROCON, Mark Stebbins, Chairman and CEO PROCON, John Samenfeld, Vice Chairman – PROCON, Sue Samenfeld, Andy MacWilliam, Easterseals NH Chairman of the Board, Ted Gatsas, Manchester Mayor, Larry Gammon, President and CEO Easterseals NH. Courtesy photo

MANCHESTER, NH – Following a year-long building renovation and the completion of The Big Ideas for Building Independence Capital Campaign, which raised $2.6 M, on November 1, 2017 Easterseals NH officially cut the ribbon on their headquarters building in Manchester and renamed it the Easterseals NH John A. Samenfeld Center.

The renovation included the entire 57,500 square foot facility at 555 Auburn Street, which Easterseals NH has occupied since 1983. Easterseals NH has a long and well-respected 80-year history in the Granite State of helping people of all ages with disabilities or special needs. In the past eight decades, program offerings have expanded to fill unmet community needs. 

The renovation will allow Easterseals NH to better serve more than 25,000 clients of all ages with disabilities and special needs through 12 core programs which include Child Development Centers and Family Resource Center, Early Supports and Services, Autism Services, Residential & Educational Services, Special Transit Services, Camps and Recreation, Community Based Services, Workforce Development, Military & Veterans Services, Senior Services, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Oral Health Services.

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The renovation focused on consolidating the majority of Easterseals programs under one roof to maximize wrap-around services for clients, expand program space to serve more individuals and families, increase building security, and enhance heating, lighting, and energy efficiencies.

Most significantly, the campaign and renovation provided the means to expand The Easterseals NH Oral Health Center, sponsored by Northeast Delta Dental. In addition to going from three patient chairs to five, the renovated space will be larger, and more private. Last year the Center provided 3,100 dental treatments to 1,700 children, adults, and seniors. As one of the few dental centers in the state that accepts Medicaid, the renovations have increased Easterseals’ capacity to serve indigent and low income families and individuals as well as the general public by 48%.

“The outpouring of support from the community for this campaign and renovation has been tremendous,” said Easterseals NH President & CEO Larry Gammon. Due to this generosity, Easterseals NH now offers the state’s largest array of services under one roof for children, adults, and seniors with disabilities or special needs.”

The Big Ideas for Building Independence Capital Campaign, which helped to support the renovation exceeded its goal of $2.5M by $100,000 due to the generous support of individuals, businesses, foundations, as well as the NH Community Development Finance Authority. The campaign was co-chaired by community philanthropists and siblings Ellie Cochran and Charlie Goodwin, along with a team of dedicated steering committee members. The campaign was initiated by a generous challenge gift of $500,000 from Mark & Sally Stebbins and PROCON Inc. in honor of the company’s President and Easterseals supporter and former board member John A. Samenfeld.

“For many generations, our family has seen it as our purpose to give generously to our community. Our employees and senior management have always supported that philosophy and John, in particular, embodies the desire to make sure he/we leave behind a positive impact on those less fortunate and in need of help by their fellow man,” said PROCON CEO and Chairman Mark Stebbins. “As a result of how proud we are of John and his many philanthropic endeavors, we felt it fitting to honor him with the naming of this newly repurposed Easterseals’ building that will house a significant number of people and programs that will make a difference in so many lives.”

Samenfeld has been a strong supporter and champion of Easterseals NH’s programs and services for more than 33 years, 12 of those as a board member. Throughout his years of service, Samenfeld has contributed significantly. He has chaired various committees of the board as well as campaigns. He is consistently a leader in securing funds for Easterseals programs and makes a tremendous impact for Easterseals clients.

“Thank you to the Board of Directors for approving the naming of this building. Thanks to the many people I have worked with over the last 32 years and the giants whose shoulders I have stood on to get here,” said Samenfeld. There are so many wonderful and supportive leaders of our great organization and community. And, I certainly would not be here today without the generosity and support of the Stebbins family and my PROCON family.  They are the real heroes here today.”

In addition to the lead donors mentioned above, we are also grateful to Cogswell Benevolent Trust, Airmar Technology. Citizens Bank, People’s United Bank, and Stephen A. Smith.

If you are interested in learning more about Easterseals services, please visit Easterseals.com/nh or call 603.623.8863.


About Easterseals New Hampshire
For more than 80 years, Easterseals NH has provided exceptional services to ensure we change the way the world defines and views disability by making profound, positive differences in people’s lives every day. Our 12 core programs and services include Child Development Centers and Family Resource Center, Early Supports and Services, Autism Services, Residential & Educational Services, Special Transit Services, Camps and Recreation, Community Based Services, Workforce Development, Military & Veterans Services, Senior Services, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Oral Health Services. As a leader in social services for individuals with disabilities and special needs, Easterseals NH employs more than 1,400 individuals who serve more than 26,900 children, adults and seniors. To learn more about Easterseals NH, visit www.easterseals.com/nh.

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