Granite VNA has kicked-off the celebration of its 125th anniversary with the annual Passion for Caring fundraising event at the Barn at Bull Meadow in Concord. Passion for Caring is Granite VNA’s largest annual fundraiser, generating more than $68,000 this year to directly support the agency’s hospice services across 82 New Hampshire communities.

“The financial support we receive from Passion for Caring and other fundraising efforts is crucial to Granite VNA’s hospice teams, enabling us to deliver compassionate end-of-life care to patients and their families,” Granite VNA President and CEO Beth Slepian said. “We are immensely grateful to our sponsors, businesses and individuals whose generosity and contributions to this year’s silent auction are truly invaluable to the agency as a whole.”

More than 130 Passion for Caring attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, and entered bids in the annual silent auction, which featured a limited-edition Granite VNA Sea Bag, a six-day/six-night African safari, Boston Duck Tour passes, a narrated cruise aboard the M/S Mount Washington on Lake Winnipesaukee, and much more.
The Award Recipients

The Passion for Caring celebration is also a chance to honor those making significant contributions to the Granite State.

Now in its 27th 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 wellbeing of families in any one of the communities served by Granite VNA. This year, Granite VNA honored Jennifer Beetle, vice president of Patrick’s Pub and Eatery in Gilford, with the 2024 Kay Sidway Award.

Beetle was nominated for her outstanding work in the community and the countless hours she has devoted to serving the Greater Lakes Region. Her commitment extends from her previous professional role at New Hampshire’s Department of Child Protective Services to her voluntary roles, including her work as a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Hampshire, as the chair of the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction Community Challenge, and as a member and coordinator for the WOW Trail in Laconia.

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. Beetle joins an impressive group of Kay Sidway Award recipients that includes the late New Hampshire State Representative Mary Stuart Gile, Concord City Councilor Amanda Grady Sexton, NH Superior Court Judge Kathleen McGuire and others.

In honor of the organization’s 125th Anniversary, Granite VNA also awarded Rep. Ann McLane Kuster with the Granite VNA Legacy Award, which represents an individual who exemplifies the agency’s vision, mission and values through their efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of New Hampshire.

Upon her recent retirement, Granite VNA selected Rep. Kuster for this award in honor of her, and her family’s, devotion to home care and hospice services in New Hampshire.

Over her six terms in the U.S. House, Rep. Kuster’s legislative priorities have included protecting Social Security and Medicare, lowering healthcare costs, and expanding access to long-term care. She also co-chaired Granite VNA’s 10-year Hospice House Capital Campaign in 2004 and was instrumental in raising nearly $1 million for the campaign, enabling Granite VNA to make numerous improvements to Hospice House.

Rep. Kuster expressed her thanks to the agency in a video that was played for attendees at the event. James Beaudry, constituent services and outreach coordinator for Rep. Kuster, accepted the award on her behalf.

“Our two awardees, Jennifer and Rep. Kuster, are exceptionally deserving recipients for this year’s Kay Sidway Award and Granite VNA Legacy Award. Their tireless commitment to improve the lives of New Hampshire residents of all ages impacts us all. We are proud of them and truly honored to recognize them,” added Slepian.

View photos of the event.

More about Granite VNA and the 125th Anniversary
Since 1899, Granite VNA has provided a wide range of services including home care, hospice, palliative care, pediatric and maternal child health, and community clinics and wellness programs to residents of 82 cities and towns in Central New Hampshire and the Lakes Region. More than 400 highly skilled team members including nurses, therapists, social workers, spiritual care providers and administrative staff, as well as 150 award-winning volunteers.

An ongoing historical series will also be presented on Granite VNA’s Facebook and LinkedIn social media channels, marking the 125th anniversary.