Child and Family Services of New Hampshire honored Nina Gardner and Timberland at its 157th annual meeting, held in November, at Fratellos in Manchester. 

Nina Gardner of Sanbornton, NH, was presented with the Voice for Children award, an honor bestowed yearly to a New Hampshire citizen who has shown an outstanding commitment to and made a tremendous difference in the lives of children and families. 

 

Jack Lightfoot, director of the CFS advocacy program, NH CHildren's Lobby;  Nina Gardner; Cynthia Herman, CFS child advocate; and Marilyn Mahoney of the CFS advocacy committee and Board of Trustees

             

As the executive director of the NH Judicial Council since 1988, Gardner has worked to ensure that children’s needs are treated as top priority across a wide spectrum of issues facing children and families such as divorce, juvenile delinquency and in all matters of child protection including abuse/neglect, foster care, termination of parental rights, and adoption. 

Gardner was instrumental in the creation of New Hampshire family courts.  She was appointed by Governor Jeanne Shaheen to chair the Task Force on Family Law, which completed its work in 2004.  Since that report was issued, the legislature has adopted the majority of its recommendations, successfully re-writing the laws establishing the basic framework for how the best interests of children are maintained during and after the divorce of their parents.   

Gardner has also worked to improve the Guardian ad Litem system serving on the GAL board and the subcommittee that designs and implements training.  She has been dedicated to finding better ways to ensure that children who are involved with the courts are provided the best representation possible.    

In a field that is wrought with very complex and emotional issues, Nina Gardner, has been a strong advocate and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting the rights, needs and well-being of children.   

The Child and Family Services’ Voice for Children Award has been presented for 22 years.   Previous winners include:  Sen. Susan McLane; The McLane Family; Hon. Edwin W. Kelly; Cynthia Billings; Rep. Patricia Dowling; NH Legal Assistance; Steve Varnum; Gordon Allen; Tim & Janet Franklin; Gail DeGoosh; Rep. Julie Brown; Susan Lafond; Arthur & Esther Nighswander; Eugene Lariviere, M.D.; Selma Deitch, M.D.; Bruce Friedman; Rep. Mary Jane Wallner; Sandra Jones; The Hon. Paul Kfoury; Sen. Eleanor Podles and Rep. Carolyn Gargasz. 

CFS also presented its 6th annual Circle of Friends award for outstanding acts of charity toward the organization to Timberland of Stratham, NH. Timberland dedicated significant time, treasure and talent to the organization as it works to serve children and families throughout NH.  

Mike Ostrowski, CEO of CFS; Nancy Morrison of Timberland;

and Ron Cohen, SVP of CFS

 

For several years, Timberland has provided valuable products including boots, backpacks and outerwear to the CFS Teen Resource Center, Group Home and Camp Spaulding.   Timberland has also been represented on the CFS Seacoast Regional Board of Directors, which works to develop resources, presence and programming to respond to community needs. 

In addition to its support of CFS, Timberland is renowned for mobilizing its employees for a variety of humanitarian and environmental causes in local communities and around the globe.

Previous winners of the Circle of Friends award include 95.7 WZID, Cirtonics, ProCon Incorporated, Northland Forest Products and Fleet (Bank of America).

               

              CONGRATULATIONS NINA GARDNER AND TIMBERLAND!!