By: Kristin Flanagan
Published: Friday, October 10, 2008
Seacoast Online

RAYMOND - After a period of uncertainty this year, the after-school program at Iber Holmes Gove Middle School finally got off the ground thanks to incentive funds received from Rockingham County.

Since the funding was not enough to finance the program for the entire school year, Raymond Coalition For Youth, which runs the program at IHGMS, has been working to make sure Raymond's young people have something positive, productive and fun to do in those "in-between" hours working parents sometimes dread.

The Wal-Mart Distribution Center has awarded RCFY a $2,500 grant to be used for the program. Greg Sevinsky, the distribution center's general manager, recently presented the check to Celeste Clark, RCFY coordinator, and Patrick Arsenault, IHGMS after-school program director, so the program can continue to be available to students of Raymond's middle school.

"We've been affiliated with RCFY for a few years now," Sevinsky said. "And when we heard there was a need for help with funding, we were only happy to step in and help. The Wal-Mart Foundation is delegated through the corporate office, but the funds are distributed to each store and distribution center, so that each (building) can award grants locally in their own communities. I'm glad we can be involved."

Clark said she was thrilled with the grant. "It's very exciting, and it is a big deal. The after-school program is so important, and we are so appreciative to be awarded this grant ... without this kind of involvement and generosity from the community, RCFY wouldn't be able to offer programs like this."

The Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Raymond recently contributed $2,500 toward the Iber Holmes Gove Middle School after-school program. From left are Raymond Coalition for Youth coordinator Celeste Clark; students Tori Donahue, Hannah Gallant, Keagan Mazo and Cameron Robichaud; Greg Sevinsky of Wal-Mart, and after-school program director Pat Arsenault.