“Quest to Reinvest” to Award Thousands in Grants to Deserving Organizations

EXETER, N.H., April 24, 2012 – Exeter Events and Tents, northern New England’s finest event equipment rental company for nearly 25 years, has awarded more than $20,000 in goods and services to over a dozen charitable and non-profit organizations throughout New Hampshire, down east Maine and northern Massachusetts in the second year of its Quest to Reinvest philanthropic program.

The company has committed to donate or provide substantial discounts on tents, tables, chairs, dance floors, stages and other special event and party rental merchandise in order to help organizations run fundraising events for a wide variety of critical services and causes.

Michael Parkin, President of Exeter Events and Tents, announced that the grand prize winner for the 2012 Quest to Reinvest grant will be Run for the Fallen, a Hampton Falls, N.H.-based organization that honors and remembers the men and women who have given their lives to protect our freedoms. “Their passion to support the families of our fallen solders is so very special,” noted Parkin.

While all money raised covers event costs, any remaining funds are donated to like-minded organizations that remember our fallen heroes and their families, as well as those who are actively serving. The 2012 Run for the Fallen will be held September 16, 2012, at Odiorne State Park, Rye, N.H.

Program Established to Support Community

Parkin established the Quest to Invest grant program last year with encouragement from his daughter, Ashley Parkin, Exeter Events and Tents vice president. “Our goal was to become involved with New Hampshire non-profits—to understand the needs of our community and to support and recognize the non-profits that devote their time to improving the lives of hundreds of people in our area,” he explained.

Ashley Parkin added, “Without these grants, many organizations find it prohibitive to run community-based outreach events like road races, pet walks, festivals and fundraisers of all kinds. As an organization that has been providing goods and services for these types of events for more than 25 years, we felt that depriving groups of these very lucrative and rewarding events could be overcome with a little financial assistance.”

Last year’s primary grant recipients were Families in Transition, a Manchester, N.H. organization that helps homeless individuals and families reach beyond the cycle of homelessness to lead healthy and successful lives; and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast, which matches children ages six through 18 with mentors in professionally supported one-to-one relationships.

“Our initial intent was to provide a grant in the amount of $3,000 to a local charitable organization that most embodied the core values expressed at Exeter Events and Tents,” said Parkin. “However, we were so inspired by all the wonderful organizations that applied, we decided to give two separate $3,000 grants and issue partial grants to 23 other organizations, which totaled over $13,000.”

Program Expands in its Second Year

For 2012, Exeter Events and Tents expanded the Quest to Reinvest program to include non-profits throughout Massachusetts and Maine, in addition to New Hampshire. This year’s recipients include:

• American Cancer Society of Massachusetts
• The Chief Maloney Memorial Run, Greenland, NH
• Anne-Marie House, Hudson, NH
• Arts in Reach, Portsmouth, NH
• Camp Allen, Bedford, NH
• Coastal Conservation Association of NH, Portsmouth, NH
• Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, New England Chapter, Needham, MA
• Dover Housing Authority, Dover, NH
• Easter Seals New Hampshire, Manchester, NH
• Families in Transition, Manchester, NH
• Jaden’s Ladder, Rye, NH
• New Hampshire SPCA, Stratham, NH
• Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH
• Run for the Fallen, Hampton Falls, NH
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast, Portsmouth, NH
• Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure,” Portsmouth NH
• Seacoast Eat Local, New England
• Genesis Fund, Boston, MA

According to Parkin, grants are awarded based on how closely they align with the family-owned business’s philanthropic beliefs. These values include:

• Supports individuals facing life’s tragedies
• Supports the needy, the ill and less fortunate
• Protects Mother Nature, her animals and the environment
• Supports those striving to reduce obstacles pertaining to issues of race and gender
• Supports empowering individuals through training, retraining and education
• Demonstrates moral and ethical code

The 2012 application process began in November, 2011 and grant recipients were recently notified of their awards. Events will be held throughout spring, summer and fall of this year.

About Exeter Events and Tents

Exeter Events and Tents is Northern New England’s finest event rental company. Family owned and providing quality service for nearly 25 years, the company offers an expansive selection of wedding and event products and services including the region’s most comprehensive selection of tents, tables, chairs, china, and other accessories, providing a one-stop source for any occasion. Recognized as leaders in the industry, Exeter Events and Tents’ highly experienced and friendly staff and consultants welcome the opportunity to help individuals and organizations create memorable events. For more information, visit www.exeterrent-all.com or call (603) 778-9838.