In addition to the award won by the Volunteers, I was humbled and honored to receive the 2021 Spirit of New Hampshire Volunteer Service Award.

When the pandemic began, I started Bedford Cares as a way to do whatever I could to help my community, but it is the volunteers that have made it a success. The volunteers stepped up and worked collaboratively for their community because they wanted to make our town a better place during a time of need. This award is an acknowledgement of their efforts as much as it is mine!

Thank you all,
Denise Ricciardi

In addition, special thanks go to:

  • Bedford Police Dept for arranging the phone number
  • BC-TV and WBNH for their PSAs and interviews
  • WMUR-TV and the Union Leader for their articles
  • The Bedford Men’s Club for their special donation
  • Barbara Chagnon for her hand-sewn masks
  • Matt Mayberry for hand sanitizer
  • … and all the shoppers who delivered the goods to people in need.