For Immediate Release
Contact: Deb Scheetz, (603) 459-2702

Nashua, NH - January 3, 2008 - Area Agency of Greater Nashua, Inc. (AAGN) has received a $9,616 award for the Therapeutic Recreation and Empowerment for Kids (TREK) after school wheelchair sports program and Partners In Health (PIH) scholarship fund.

TREK is an after school wheelchair sports program for children with developmental disabilities and chronic healthcare conditions, along with their siblings and friends. All children are in wheelchairs, even if they do not use them in their daily life. This enables all children to play on the same playing field and encourages self-esteem. The program also provides pizza, drinks, and dessert following the event allowing families to socialize more and give them a "Friday night out," without worrying about cooking meals or spending money on costly restaurants.

The PIH scholarship fund will supplement family needs, in medical crisis, for such items as: medical bills, utility bills, lodging costs if family cannot commute, car repairs or taxi cost to get the child to medical appointments, respite care, therapies for children, summer Camperships, recreational activities, medical equipment and supplies, local supermarket gift certificates, and funeral expenses. PIH is a family support program for families of children, birth to 21, with chronic health care needs.

Please contact PIH coordinator Maura Pennisi (Derry) at 459-2763 or mpennisi@areaagencynh.com for more information.

The Area Agency of Greater Nashua, Inc. is a non profit 501-C (3) corporation serving more than 1,800 individuals with all types of disabilities and elders in need of support. For more than 25 years, the Agency, located on Canal Street in Nashua, has offered a wide variety of programs and services to individuals and families in Greater Nashua.

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