Bringing Down the House

Mandy Lancaster (Case Manager), Cindy Kenne (Feat. in Video) and Martha Stone (Director of Development)

On May, 9, 2009 Cross Roads House, a homeless shelter located in Portsmouth, NH, held its 7th annual “Benefit by the Sea” fundraiser at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel. The event raised over $200,000 that will be used to fund shelter operations in the coming year. In addition, the success of the event secured the shelter’s $300,000 Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant that will be used to help pay for their new facility that is currently under construction.

For the fourth year in a row, Sean Tracey Associates, along with JBC Communications

Sean and Lina Tracey

produced a video that was shown at the event just prior to the fundraising portion of the evening. Martha Stone, Director of Development at Cross Roads House noted, “Once again, Sean and Jay produced a fabulous, compelling video that helped us tell a story in a way that we could never achieve on our own. This year, we shared the stories of three of our former residents who have successfully moved out of the shelter and into permanent housing.” Stone added, “We were particularly pleased to have one of residents that appeared in the video, speak at the event just after it was shown. It was a very special moment for everyone in the room. We are so fortunate to be able to show a video at our event each year; it’s really become an integral part of evening and our guests really look forward to it.”

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STA helping to improve young lives.

Sean with Nicole and Wheaton, featured in the OdysseyNH film

May 7th was a meaningful evening for OdysseyNH, a nonprofit organization that helps youth and families get their lives back on track after substance abuse problems. Board members, friends and guests gather at the 100 Club in Portsmouth for a cocktail party. This year, OdysseyNH added a new element to their annual benefit fundraiser event, and asked Sean Tracey Associates to produce a video that tells the story of three young people, their struggle with drugs, OdysseyNH’s role in turning their lives around, and the promising future that awaits them. Loretta Allison, Director of Development, commented: “The night was a huge success, largely in part to the video. It was so powerful standing in the room with a large group of people that hadn’t seen the video and didn’t know the stories. Even after seeing it many times over the past weeks, I was still moved to tears hearing the clients in their own words. It captures all of the emotion that is so important in conveying our message of hope and discovery.”
Sean added: “This type of project is very meaningful to me. After spending days with kids like these, who have had such a tough time and many unfortunate events befall them, I go back home and see my family and my life with a renewed glow of awareness and gratitude.Thanks to the OdysseyNH for the beautiful opportunity.”

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Back by Popular Demand!

The New England Society for Healthcare Communications (NESHCo) is the premier professional society for healthcare communications, public relations, marketing, advertising, and public affairs in New England.  Sean Tracey was invited as a speaker for the Fall ’08 Symposium, and the evaluations from the attendees’ of Sean’s seminar were so positive, that Sean was invited again six months later to be the Spring meeting’s closing speaker.   Sean’s Keynote presentation, Branding Shmanding, on May 6th in Providence, RI argued that what really counts for your organization’s perception in the marketplace is not what you SAY on paper (your mission, vision, values statements)…but it’s what people inside and outside your organization SEE and HEAR (your advertising, marketing, PR, and other communications)”.
Thanks again to Kelly Woodsum, Executive Director of NESHCo, for making this important event possible. For more information about NESHCo visit http://www.neshco.org

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