And just like that! The WOW’23 summer series is complete! Our journey through the Wellness on Wheels summer series in Manchester, NH has ended, and what an extraordinary adventure it has been! Over the past few months, we’ve had the privilege of bringing accessible health resources right to our community’s doorstep. At our last WOW’23 event, the school district welcomed 70 new kindergarten members, one of the highest recorded number of registers at a single event! We were able to raffle off our third giveaway basket, and one family received a $100 Walmart Gift Card as a result of having their name picked out of the survey drawing. We had amazing support provided by young adult volunteers from Church One in Manchester and youth from Manchester’s Sundanese Community coordinated by Omaya Hassan.
WOW’23 Coordinator, Tracy Bachert, says, “The heartwarming part of the Wellness on Wheels series was witnessing the strong sense of community that emerged.” Tracy discusses how volunteers that were strangers at the first event were friends by the last, community partners were meeting and networking with new organizations, and event coordinators even bonded with the table rental company. “I really want to thank VIParty Rentals. They’re a dependable and efficient company, and made every one of our events, including National Night Out, a breeze.”, Tracy states about the company that she grew close with during the events.
The WOW’23 events not only supplied valuable knowledge but also created a space for connection and support. Makin’ It Happen, in partnership with Amoskeag Health, had a total number of 35 community partners throughout the four events, 30 volunteers, a special partnership with Hope Recovery, Manchester Police Department, and Manchester Health Department, a raffle basket donation from Manchester Rotary, and provided school supplies, health giveaways, school registration, and more to hundreds of community members. Tracy Bachert concludes the event series by saying, “I am glad we were able to provide these services to our community and I hope to be able to do it again next year.” As we bid farewell to this summer’s journey, we’re filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for what the future holds. While the Wellness on Wheels series may have concluded, the impact it has had on our community will continue to ripple outward, inspiring healthier and happier lives.
Makin’ It Happen would like to extend a personal thanks to:
Our Partnership: Amoskeag Health, for giving us the opportunity to lead this event.
Our Sponsors: Elliot Hospital, AmeriHealth Caritas, St. Mary’s Bank, Wellsense, and NH Healthy Families, for supplying the funds to expand our events.
Manchester Police Department, The Manchester Police Comfort Dog, Patch, and his handler, Justin Breton, for their partnership with National Night Out.
Hope Recovery for lending us their pop-up tents and organizing volunteers for set up and breakdown
Manchester Fire Department, for supplying trucks at all four events.
Brookside Church, for hosting our second W.O.W. event.
Manchester school district – Gossler Park School and Beech St School for hosting our other three events.
And all our agencies in attendance over the events;
Amoskeag Health/ACERT
Brookside Church
Catholic Medical Center
DWC Boy Scouts
DAO Research Lab at UNH
Dept. of health & human services
Elliot health system
Farnum Center
Girls Inc.
Girls at work
So. NH Services, wic, head start
Health Market connect
Kiwanis NH
Manchester Police athletic league
MA college of Pharmacy and health services
UNH Master Gardener
Manchester bookmobile
Manchester School District
Manchester proud
Manchester health department
Manchester Grows
Manchester parks & recreation
Mayor’s office – Joyce Craig
Manchester Office of Youth Services
Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester
NH Legal Assistance
NH Hunger Solutions
Oris Fresh Start Farms
Parent Information Center
The Moore Center
Upreach Equine Therapy
Waterford – early learning
Waypoint
YMCA- Downtown
YWCA
St. Mary’s Bank
Bar Harbor Bank
Wellsense
AmeriHealth Caritas
NH Healthy Families
Me2Music / Orchestra
Eversource
Stay connected with us for updates on future events, resources, and opportunities to keep your wellness journey thriving. Let’s continue to nurture our well-being and support one another on this beautiful path to health and happiness.
Engage, educate, empower! www.makinithappen.org
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Written by Ashley Bachert | Community Impact Communications Coordinator | 08/25/2023
