Nucar Cares
At Nucar Nissan of Keene, we believe in the power of giving back and making a difference in our community. Through the Nucar Cares program, we’ve had the privilege of supporting organizations that embody our values of compassion, education, and community service. From fostering the arts and sciences to advocating for the well-being of children, and even revitalizing cherished local landmarks, our commitment extends beyond the dealership doors. We’re proud to play a part in enriching our New Hampshire communities, ensuring they remain vibrant and welcoming for everyone. Here are some of the great organizations the Nucar Cares program works with within New Hampshire, each with a unique mission that contributes to the fabric of our society.
Last Hope K9 Rescue
Last Hope K9 Rescue (LHK9) is a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization dedicated to saving dogs from high-kill shelters. This all-breed rescue focuses on providing a second chance to abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs, regardless of their age, breed, or medical condition. Through a network of committed volunteers, LHK9 ensures that each dog receives necessary medical treatment and foster care before being transported to New England, where they are placed in loving, permanent homes.
LHK9 is entirely volunteer-run, relying on a passionate team to foster dogs, organize adoption events, and educate the community on important issues like spaying, neutering, and responsible pet ownership. Since its founding in 2012, LHK9 has found homes for over 12,000 dogs, transforming lives and offering hope to countless animals in need. The organization’s dedication to every dog’s well-being and its commitment to education make it a vital resource for both the animals it saves and the communities it serves.
Swanzey Preservation Society
The Swanzey Preservation Society is dedicated to preserving the historical and cultural heritage of Swanzey, New Hampshire. A key project of the Society is the restoration of the Golden Rod Grange Hall, a historic landmark in Swanzey Center. Built in 1908, the Grange Hall has long been a gathering place for the community, hosting events, meetings, and social gatherings.
To support the restoration efforts, the Society sponsors the annual Goldenrod Bluegrass Festival, a vibrant celebration of bluegrass music. The festival, held on the Grange Hall’s expansive lawn, features performances by renowned New England bluegrass bands. All proceeds from the event go directly to the restoration of the Grange Hall and funding cultural programming for the community. By preserving the Grange Hall, the Swanzey Preservation Society ensures that this historic building remains a vital hub for community life, fostering a deeper connection to Swanzey’s rich past while enhancing its cultural landscape.
Feeding Tiny Tummies
Feeding Tiny Tummies is a dedicated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to battling childhood hunger in Cheshire and Sullivan Counties, NH. Established in 2017, this program has grown remarkably, from serving 35 families to over 550 families in just four years. Partnering with local schools, Feeding Tiny Tummies provides essential meals to children during school breaks and summer vacations, ensuring they have access to nutritious food year-round.
Volunteers play a crucial role, spending 2-4 hours weekly to fill and distribute bags of food to 14 schools and two elderly complexes. These food packages not only address immediate hunger but also include educational items such as books, crayons, and activity pages to nourish young minds.
Open to the community, Feeding Tiny Tummies operates a resource center twice a week, providing internet access, resume assistance, and various educational classes. The organization aims to alleviate the detrimental effects of hunger, such as poor academic performance, health issues, and behavioral problems, by ensuring children start their day with a healthy breakfast.
Feeding Tiny Tummies exemplifies how community support can transform lives, fostering a healthier, more educated next generation.
Wreaths Across America
Nucar Cares is proud to support the National Wreaths Across America Day at Monadnock View Cemetery. This heartfelt event, held each December, honors our nation’s veterans by placing live, balsam wreaths on their graves. These wreaths symbolize our ongoing respect and gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
Volunteers from the community come together to say the names of the fallen aloud, ensuring their legacies live on. National Wreaths Across America Day spans over 4,225 locations nationwide, demonstrating a unified commitment to help remember and honor these heroes.
Wreaths Across America helps teach future generations the value of freedom and the importance of honoring those who protect it. Together, we can ensure that the sacrifices made by our veterans are never forgotten.
Annual Keene State College Golf Classic
Nucar Cares is proud to support the 33rd Annual Keene State College Golf Classic, a day filled with fun, camaraderie, and a shared passion for supporting Keene State College Athletics. This event brings together friends, alumni, and community members for a round of golf, with all proceeds benefiting the Keene State Athletics Program.
Keene State College Athletics is dedicated to achieving national excellence, with student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically. The program emphasizes leadership, diversity, sportsmanship, and integrity, fostering a strong sense of pride and tradition within the college and the community.
Participation in the Golf Classic helps provide educational and athletic opportunities for student-athletes, supporting their journey to become productive members of society. The funds raised enhance the quality of life for students, promoting sportsmanship and ethical behavior while embracing diversity and inclusion.
Northern Lights Athletics Cheer Team
Northern Lights Athletics Cheer Team offers a vibrant and supportive environment for young athletes. Programs range from the beginner-friendly 1/4 Season Team to the highly competitive Premier + Program.
The 1/4 Season Team introduces children aged 3 and up to cheerleading through fun, local performances during fall and spring sessions. The Tiny Novice and Prep Teams in our Classic Program help young cheerleaders develop skills, build friendships, and compete in New England with minimal travel.
For advanced athletes, our Elite Teams in the Premier Program provide rigorous year-round training and opportunities to compete at prestigious events, including potential post-season championships in Florida. The Premier + Program represents the pinnacle of our offerings, preparing athletes for top-tier national competitions with a demanding schedule and high commitment.
Northern Lights Athletics Cheer Team fosters athleticism, teamwork, and community spirit, helping young athletes grow and succeed both on and off the mat.
Monadnock High School Baseball
At Nucar Cares, we’re proud to spotlight our initiative with Monadnock High School Baseball, a beacon of community and youth development in Swanzey, New Hampshire. Nestled in the heart of the Monadnock region, this high school is more than just an educational institution; it’s a cornerstone for nurturing young talents across six towns, including Fitzwilliam, Gilsum, Richmond, Roxbury, Swanzey, and Troy. Since its inception in 1962, Monadnock High has been dedicated to excellence, not only academically but also in fostering vital life skills through sports.
The baseball program at Monadnock High School stands as a testament to the power of sports in shaping future leaders. It offers students the unique opportunity to learn teamwork, leadership, discipline, and time management. These skills are crucial beyond the field, preparing students for life’s challenges. Supporting the Huskies means investing in a program that enhances students’ social experiences, encourages healthy competition, and builds lasting friendships. Our partnership with Monadnock High School Baseball underlines our commitment to enriching our community’s youth, demonstrating the profound impact of sports in developing well-rounded individuals for society.
The Rey Cultural Center – Waterville Valley, NH
Nucar Ford of Plymouth had the incredible opportunity to sponsor the annual Skijor Galore and education event in Waterville Valley during the winter of 2023!
The renowned authors of the beloved Curious George children’s book series, Margret and H.A. Rey, once graced Waterville Valley as summer residents. Their lives were adorned with a myriad of passions and adventures, embracing roles as artists, historians, naturalists, and devoted stewards. Today, their indomitable spirit lives on through the Margret and H.A. Rey Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring their legacy of curiosity and discovery. The center achieves this noble goal by fostering a deeper appreciation for art, science, and nature through a diverse array of programs catering to youth, adults, and families alike.
The Reys’ lives were an ongoing pursuit of learning and community service, encompassing various realms like writing, illustration, astronomy, natural history, photography, environmental activism (with a focus on renewable energy), compassion for animals, and the simple joys of gardening, walking, and cycling. They held a special place in their hearts for children’s experiential learning, igniting curiosity and sparking imaginations. These very pursuits, emblematic of the Reys’ remarkable journey, form the bedrock of the Rey Center’s programs.
With a harmonious blend of art and science, physical and intellectual endeavors, a seamless intergenerational connection, and an unquenchable thirst for discovery, the Rey Center thrives as a beacon of learning and exploration. Through their endeavors, they continue to inspire countless individuals to embark on a lifelong journey of discovery, celebrating the joy of learning and the wonders of the world around us.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) – Manchester, NH
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire stands as a compassionate nonprofit organization, devoted to enlisting, educating, and supporting a dedicated team of community volunteers. These remarkable individuals step forward to become advocates for children throughout the state who have endured the harsh realities of abuse or neglect. CASA’s noble mission revolves around offering vital support to the children, ensuring their voices are heard, and presenting crucial information to judges, thereby enabling informed decisions in the child’s best interest.
With the involvement of CASA volunteer advocates, the trajectory of a child’s life can undergo a profound transformation. Their tireless efforts work wonders, altering the course of a child’s narrative for the better.
Since its establishment in 1989, CASA has left an indelible mark on the lives of over 10,000 New Hampshire children, granting them the priceless gift of a voice within the District and Family Courts. Each child’s story is now fortified with hope, setting them on a path towards a brighter, more promising future. This remarkable impact is a testament to the unwavering dedication of CASA and its volunteers, championing the rights and well-being of these vulnerable children.
Notre Dame Ice Arena – Berlin, NH
The Notre Dame Arena, an architectural gem established in 1947 under the auspices of the Catholic Church, stands tall as the second oldest indoor ice hockey arena in New Hampshire. Remarkably, it holds the distinction of being the sole 501(c)(4) non-profit arena in the region. A storied legacy accompanies this venerable arena, boasting the largest collection of New Hampshire Boys Ice Hockey State Championships and a remarkable four National Amateur champions.
For over seven decades, Notre Dame Arena has remained a cherished fixture in the vibrant Berlin community. Now, it is poised to undergo a grand metamorphosis, all thanks to a magnanimous and generous donation of $300,000 from the esteemed New Hampshire auto dealer, Dan Dagesse. The arena will emerge anew, splendidly rechristened as the “Nucar Notre Dame Arena,” a testament to Dagesse’s unwavering dedication to the facility and the community.
Dan Dagesse’s enduring support for the arena spans many years, with a genuine passion for participating in hockey and athletic events within the Berlin community. In his own words, “This renovation reflects our commitment to innovation, giving back, and being an integral part of the community. We are also proud that the Nucar name will now not only grace dealerships in New Hampshire but will also be synonymous with the arena.”
Notably, this act of generosity marks a continuation of Dagesse’s history of remarkable contributions to the arena. Back in 2007, he bestowed a substantial donation of $250,000, a pivotal contribution that breathed new life into the arena, fortifying its financial standing. Now, his latest benevolent gift will propel the renovations forward, fortifying financial stability, and ensuring the arena’s resilience even in the face of the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond the monumental $300,000 donation, Dagesse has pledged an annual commitment of $30,000, dedicated to empowering young minds by offering scholarships for ice-skating lessons and extending financial support to those in need. As if this weren’t enough, the horizon is aglow with exciting prospects, as plans are underway to create the Nucar invitational hockey tournament, a thrilling event that promises to elevate the arena’s reputation even further.