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PRESS RELEASES

Below please find our latest Press Releases.  If you'd like further information or photos, please contact us.

Press Releases

~ The Upper Room receives it’s largest bequest ever, from the late Marica & Jack Briggs ~
Derry, NH, November 14, 2019 

The Upper Room, a Family Resource Center, is celebrating two of it’s volunteers who made a tremendous impact on their agency this year. Barbara Mee, has been a long time volunteer for the TIPS Program, offering items to support teen parents and their young children, to make their lives better. Barbara along with colleagues at Londonderry High School, have done clothing drives, item drives and have been a fundamental resource in providing books for children to promote literacy. Barbara also supported a summer program for the FROG families offering a financial donation which allowed families to participate in summer field trips. We are grateful for her long term support of our mission. Angie Wiesmann, was also recognized as a hero for The Upper Room, taking on the volunteer position as Auction Chair, Angie lead a team of volunteers and staff to pull off the agencies most successful event this year. Angie took on the Auction Chair Position 3 years ago and has elevated the organizations ability to improve on the annual event and raise necessary funds to keep things running. Her dedication and support of the agency, it’s work and mission are endless, and the Board, Staff and volunteers are very appreciative for her leadership and gifts of time, ideas and energy to the agency as a whole.

TIPS program for many years dressing up as Santa Claus and Mrs. for the annual party. Children were gleeful and their parents as well, as Santa arrived with Mrs. Claus to read stories, and to offer children their first chance at a tradition that was embraced for many years in the program. As well, Marcia and Jack were always available for agency and board functions, offering support, food, and their love and attention at these events. Former Executive Director Kimberly Bavaro mentioned “You always felt like you were the only one in the world when speaking with Jack and Marcia, they listened, and made sure you knew they were paying attention”. 
This sentiment runs deep within the culture of The Upper Room, with some senior staff being on board for up to 26 years, many have felt the deep impact the Briggs family made on a day to day basis. With its teen center named the “Briggs Center” more than 10 years ago, the board and staff dedicated spaces within its walls to honor board members, and the Briggs Center was dedicated to the love and care Marcia and Jack Briggs showered upon The Upper Room.

As a final act of her gifting, Marcia placed a small note to her children, just days before her passing, with a message that indicated a gift to TUR (The Upper Room, and the names of her two small grandchildren). She wanted to be sure that Kate and Matt knew there was a gift she had been planning on giving and that these were her final wishes. Guests teared up at the presentation of this story, and its implications that a long term, lifetime intention had been being put aside for the agency, and its work. All guests were completely amazed when Kate and Matt shared the gift their parents had left to The Upper Room, to continue its work with teen families to assure they have guidance and support at a pivotal point in their lives. “This donation is the largest donation we have ever received from anyone in this capacity”, shares Guggisberg “and we will make sure we take the time and prudence to honor this gift, to honor the people who made this happen, and to use this in the fashion they hoped it would be used, to support young families. I will share that the staff, and board of directors are very grateful for the decades of support the Briggs Family has offered, and for this final gift of the heart, we are blessed”.     
To learn more about The Upper Room, please visit URteachers.org.

About The Upper Room
Founded in 1986, The Upper Room, a Family Resource Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to strengthening individuals and families by providing them with the education, services and resources needed to lead healthy, self-sufficient lives. Our center is a warm, welcoming place where families receive information and support not only in times of crisis but on a day-to-day basis. We place no boundaries on service, and help all who come to our center seeking support. For more information, call (603) 437-8477, or visit our website at URteachers.org.

For other press-related inquiries, please contact 
Brenda Guggisberg, Executive Director
603-437-8477 or bguggisberg@urteachers.org

If you have any questions or would like further information about our press releases, please contact us directly.

We will gladly supply any additional artwork or photos if necessary.
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