Conway Nonprofits and Charities

I didn't know the meaning of a haj until I discovered WF in 2005. Having grown up just 25 miles west of Albany (and having had no prior knowledge of it til college), it took me until September (when crowds die down) to appreciate all it has to offer. In years subsequent it I would return, work, and reconnect with various staff and revel in the splendor and majesty of the surrounding White Mountains. So, just what does WF have to offer? In a strictly empirical sense, it is veritable utopia of natural wonders and cultural relics from bygone eras: 19th century houses and cottages; hiking trails and a (motorboat-free) body of water featuring nightly loon serenades. Directly adjacent Mount Chocorua, it offers easy access to some of the most rugged mountains in the northeast as well as the commercial venues of North Conway. In a transcendental sense, it offers genuine community, a sense of historical and cultural continuity, and an paragon of what human ingenuity is fully capable of. To indulge in a little names-dropping, where else, I am tempted to ask, can one meet and mingle with the son of Herbert Marcuse, the son of Major Owens, the daughter of Noam Chomsky, the daughter/niece of the Berrigan brothers, the niece of James Baldwin, Noam Chomsky himself, Lynne Stewart and the families, friends and aliases of so many other pacifistic and idealistic visionaries?!? The history alone, from its founding as a pacifist safehaven amidst WW II to its director being jailed for refusing to surrender a list of names of attendees to the state attorney general during the McCarthy era to its refusal to engage in outside advertising and spread its cause through word-of-mouth should inspire any true believer who seeks genuine community and a sense of purpose. <br> <br>From 2011 - 2014 I took a temporary (though much needed) hiatus from WF and its (internal) politics. But since returning in 2015, I simply can't imagine my life without making an annual pilgrimage to this very location. Due to COVID, life just doesn't seem the same when I miss the opportunity to ascend Chocorua, canoe on Whitton Pond, perform at Fun Night, and of course, meet and mingle with so many youthful, idealistic and inspirational visionaries. Indeed, to go out on a limb, this is the place that, when I am no longer walking in this world, will be my resting place for eternity. <br> <br>I will close with a passage from New Testament Psalm 137 - "Oh Jerusalem, if I forget thee, let my right hand whither; may my tongue cling to my palate; if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy even in my happiest hour..." All this may seem a bit florid, but this place has truly become MY Jerusalem and I know that I am not alone in that sentiment.

I started out as a small donor over 10 or 15 years ago when I first learned about Upper Saco Valley Land Trust.<br>I was intrigued by the stated goals of this organization to preserve land and habit while protecting the aquifers and watershed. Simultaneously, the organization expressed a clear priority of protecting landowners rights to sustainable activity. It struck me as a home run. I became involved more deeply as a Land Monitor for several properties. <br>USVLT has become a part of the fabric of the local community. The energetic, insightful, and forward-thinking leadership and volunteerism are a symbiotic showcase of what can be accomplished through relationships and shared benefit. A superb organization!

This is a great program designed to help middle school students learn about career options. Their summer camps are awesome and provide great experiences for the youth in the valley.

Thanks for making the gift giving so easy and Giving Tuesday gets the job done without hesitation - no procrastinating with the waiving of the processing fee. This is a great organization - lean and efficient with many happy pets in their forever home from their efforts. I am personally grateful their work and commitment. And, would recommend adding them to your list of important charities for year end giving and ... well.... all year long! Nancy

Many years ago I worked for the Observatory and have been returning for years to volunteer for various events (like their Educational Trips) and for the annual fundraiser "Seek the Peak." <br> <br>The "Obs" has an amazing website, including beautiful photos, does a tremendous job with educational outreach, operates two museums (one on the summit and one in North Conway NH), performs research, has an excellent on-line gift shop and maintains one of the coolest workplaces in the world-on the summit of Mount Washington!