VeraniCARES Goes “Over the Edge” for The Caregivers, Raises Nearly $8,000 to Support the Elderly

How far would you be willing to go for your favorite local nonprofit? For Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty (Verani), the answer was 24 stories into the air. VeraniCARES, the philanthropic and social development arm of Verani, recently participated in Live United – Over the Edge, a joint fundraising effort among 10 local nonprofits that involved rappelling 24 stories down the side of the Brady Sullivan Tower on Elm Street in Manchester.

Over 70 individuals took part in the challenge and each participant had to raise a minimum of $2,000 for their nonprofit of choice in order to rappel. VeraniCARES had two representatives – Regional Vice President John MacGilvary and agent and CareGivers Board Member Nancy Philbrick  – who collectively raised just under $8,000 for The Caregivers, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping the elderly and disabled in the Greater Manchester and Nashua areas remain in their homes as long as possible. Their services include transportation to appointments and the grocery store, a mobile food pantry, home visit and reassurance phone calls, and service projects and outreach.

“I work for CareGivers because the seniors we serve are some of the most important people in our society, and we need to honor them and make sure that their lives are happy,” said Philbrick. “They have offered us so much knowledge and service throughout their lives. It's important that we honor their contributions and do what we can in return.” 

Other nonprofits that were represented were The Youth Council, Gateways Community Services, Family Promise of Greater Nashua Inc. at Anne Marie House, The Adult Learning Center, Granite United Way, Nashua PAL, Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Violence Support, Greater Nashua Dental Connection, and the United Way of Greater Nashua.

Both MacGilvary and Philbrick steeled their nerves, donned helmets, and made the trip down the building as representatives of VeraniCARES.

“Many of the volunteers, including myself, involve our own families when reaching out to serve our frail and elderly citizens,” said MacGilvary of The CareGivers. “It’s really awesome to be a part of these people’s lives, to help them live an independent lifestyle, and to help them maintain their dignity. It also helps their families, who often live far away and are unable to provide direct long-term care. It’s an opportunity to introduce our children to community service and our society’s seniors, who are so easily forgotten yet full of wisdom and life’s experiences.”

In total, Over the Edge raised more than $137,000 for the nonprofits that were represented. To check out video of MacGilvary and Philbrick making their trip down the Brady Sullivan Tower, visit the United Way of Greater Nashua’s YouTube Over the Edge 2017 playlist.

For more information about the CareGivers, visit www.caregiversnh.org.

VeraniCARES engages agents and employees in philanthropy and social development by offering the opportunity to raise funds through donations. Verani Realty also matches a portion of each donation contributed by agents and employees. Learn more about VeraniCARES at verani.com.