Northshore Magazine

December 2015

Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.

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New Hampton is a lively, dyanmic community offering an unparalleled range of opportunities–from academics and athletics to arts and service–that empower you to test yourself, explore your creativity, find your voice and make a difference. GO BEYOND New Hampton School New Hampton School, a co-ed boarding school serving grades 9-PG in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire Office of Admission newhampton.org/admission admission@newhampton.org 603.677.3401 SCHEDULE A VISIT NEWHAMPTON.ORG/ADMISSION 166 mission. All VOH members are unpaid volunteers. "No- body is here to make money or be a star," says Chastain. "There's not a paid position in the entire organization." VOH also receives donated services from orchestra members, photographers, and other professionals, and a grant from the Conquer Cancer Coalition pays for the group's rehearsal space. But like all nonprofits, VOH needs to cover their fund- raising and operating costs. Currently, all donations pledged through the VOH website go directly to the Termeer Center, but Chastain would like to expand that. "My goal is for 100 percent of our ticket sales and fundraising to go to cancer research," he explains. "That's why corporate sponsorships are so helpful—they can reduce our overhead and cover the cost of our shows." VOH developed a partnership with Walmart in 2015, which Chastain describes as serendipi- tous. "I had a friend of a friend who worked with Walmart's advertising agency, and she said that they were looking for a small local charity to support. People who have contacts in business can be incredibly helpful to us," he explains. "It's all about getting our foot in the door." One of the most advantageous doors VOH has opened is their partnership with NSMT, which in 2013 "just made sense," according to Chastain. Many VOH members already had a strong connection to the theatre's work, and nearly 90 percent of members are based on the North Shore. "We're so fortunate to perform there," says Chastain. "The general manager, Karen Nascembeni, helps us tremen- dously." The theatre offers its space and staff to VOH at a discounted rate, which is key to reducing show costs. "They've become part of the North Shore Music Theatre family," says Nascembeni. "They're such a large group, and we're fortunate to have the space to host them." "Family" is a word used often by VOH members. In a way, they mean it literally—the group's six-person board consists of three married couples, including Chastain and his wife, treasurer Jean Chastain; Dana Siegal and her hus- band, Ed, who serves as the vice president; and secretary/ director of membership Beth Consoli and her husband, Mike Consoli, the director of sponsorship/marketing. But while only some of the group's members are related by marriage, all are related by shared experience. "That's what makes this group unique," says Siegal. "When people join us, they know they've found a home. Everyone here has a heart for the mission." Chastain adds, "The group is therapeutic for us all—95 percent of us have a personal connection to cancer, and many members are survivors. We do a lot more than just sing and dance—we support each other." in-depth LIVE Voices of Hope For more information or to donate to VOH, visit voicesofhopeboston.org. CO N TAC T

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