CATCH Neighborhood Housing hosted the always-hilarious Capitol Steps for the 22nd Annual CATCH Comedy Night on Wednesday, March 9 at the Capitol Center for the Arts.
The comic troupe from Washington, DC, brought their unique brand of political musical satire back to Concord and mocked the ever-changing hot topics of today, including Donald Trump’s catchy ballad, “Shut Up and Vote For Me,” the primary process and its conundrum of “76 Unknowns” and America’s favorite topics: health care, the Clintons, Cuba and Sarah Palin’s endorsements.
The show is CATCH’s largest annual fundraiser, and this year’s show brought in over $30,000 to support the organization’s affordable housing programs.
Prior to the comedy show, CATCH hosted a reception to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments and present its annual awards.
CATCH’s President, Rosemary M. Heard, greeted over 100 guests in the Governor’s Hall with updates on CATCH’s asset management company, Alliance Asset Management, and homeownership education member organization, HOMEteam. She also discussed CATCH’s newest housing redevelopment, the Riverbend Mill in Franklin, which is set to begin work this summer.
In honor of this new partnership, CATCH presented the City of Franklin with the 2016 Housing Hero award. Elizabeth Dragon, City Manager, and Dick Lewis, Planning and Zoning Director and CATCH Board Member, were at the reception to accept the award.
“We are very excited for the CATCH project” said Dragon. “When a project of this magnitude comes to town, you’re always concerned, because you certainly want it to be a partnership. I can very clearly say that this has been a partnership and we are very excited for them to come.”
The 2016 Business of the Year Award was presented to Norton Insurance Agency, which has been a friend and business supporter of CATCH for many years. Anna Edgerley, Senior Vice President, accepted the award on behalf of the Norton team.
Ginnie Johnson received the 2016 Volunteer of the Award for all of her assistance with the finance department. She has consistently been volunteering one day a week and helps out with everything from filing to sorting staff training logs.
“Ginnie is a valuable member of the CATCH team, and without her, we would have to hire another full-time staff person,” said Heard.
CATCH presented the Helen M. Green Visionary Award to Penacook Community Center’s Senior Program. The award, named for CATCH’s long-time CFO who passed away suddenly in 2011, recognizes an individual or organization whose investment in the community has impacted the issue of housing in a significant way.
Deb Cuddahy and Kristen Pinard-Kenney accepted the award on behalf of the Penacook Community Center, which received the award in recognition of their tireless work in improving the daily lives of the seniors at Friedman Court II, along with countless others in the community.
“CATCH is honored to have such generous and supportive businesses, nonprofits and volunteer leaders in Concord,” said Heard. “These partnerships are the reason that CATCH continues to make an impact on the individuals and families we serve.”
“We are truly grateful for the generosity and commitment of our many Comedy Night sponsors, as well as the dedicated CATCH supporters who attend this event year after year,” said Heard.
In addition to the hilarious Capitol Steps show, Comedy Night guests also witnessed the debut of CATCH’s brand-new affordable housing video. Created and produced by an all-volunteer team, the video explains what CATCH does and how it impacts the housing opportunities in our community.
CATCH hopes that this short film will encourage others to learn about the affordability of housing in New Hampshire, and spread the word so that everyone can find a safe, affordable place to call home. The video can be viewed online at youtube.com/catchhousing.
CATCH thanks the following sponsors of CATCH Comedy Night for their commitment to creating a community where every person is confident of a home: Gold Sponsors: McLane Middleton, Milestone Engineering & Construction, Inc., Norton Insurance Agency and People’s United Bank Silver Sponsors: Aesthetic Dental, Bank of New Hampshire, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Franklin Savings Bank, Havenwood-Heritage Heights, Hinckley Allen, Irish Electric, Lincoln Financial Group, Merrimack County Savings Bank, New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, North Branch Construction, Northeast Delta Dental, Northern New England Housing Investment Fund, Otis Atwell, RBC Capital Markets, Sheehan Phinney and Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC Bronze Sponsors: Cobb Hill Construction, Glover Plumbing and Heating, Mainstay Technologies, Millennium Integrated Marketing, Smith and Wilkinson and SMP Architecture
General Sponsors: Avesta Housing, Concord Regional VNA, Davis & Towle, Jeanine and Company, Lake Sunapee Bank, Mutual of America, NH Federal Credit Union, Orr & Reno, P.A., and Warrenstreet Architects
Media Sponsor
WBIN-TV/ Binnie Media
Hotel Sponsor
Comfort Inn - Concord, NH
Each sponsor, advertiser, ticket purchaser, and audience member made an investment in the local community to allow individuals and families to experience the American Dream of home ownership, as well as have the opportunity to call an attractive, safe, affordable rental apartment “home.”