Granite VNA Passion for Caring event raises more than $40,000 for health agency

LACONIA — Marking its return to an in-person event for the first time since 2019, Granite VNA, formerly Concord Regional VNA and Central NH VNA & Hospice, recently held its annual Passion for Caring fundraiser at Belknap Mill. The event is Granite VNA’s largest fundraiser and this year’s event generated more than $40,000 to directly support the agency’s home, health, and hospice care services across 82 New Hampshire communities.

“We are so grateful to our generous sponsors, and businesses and individuals who gave to the campaign, and who donated some outstanding items and experiences to this year’s silent auction,” said Beth Slepian, MBA, PT, Granite VNA president/CEO. “It was a pleasure to finally gather in person again after two years, and exciting for our agency to host this event in the Lakes Region for the very first time.”

Kay Sidway Award

Now in its 24th year, the Kay Sidway Award is presented annually at the Passion for Caring event to an individual who has devoted himself or herself to the education, nurturing, and well-being of families in any one of the communities served by Granite VNA. This year, Granite VNA honored Helen Rautenberg of Wolfeboro, family support specialist, with the 2022 Kay Sidway Award.

“Through the Healthy Families America program, Helen provides support and education to young families with children from prenatal to three years of age,” said Slepian. “She has been supporting families in the community since 1987 and she was a special education aide and childcare aide and teacher before beginning her role with Granite VNA.”

The Kay Sidway Award was initially presented in 1998 to longtime Concord area educator Kay Sidway to honor her extraordinary dedication to the children of the Concord community. Rautenberg joins an impressive group of Sidway Award recipients that includes the late New Hampshire State Representative Mary Stuart Gile, Amanda Grady Sexton, The Honorable Kathleen McGuire and others.