Merchants Short Term Solutions Donates Passenger Vans to Miss NH Pageant

Hooksett, NH - Merchant Short Term Solutions, a division of Merchants Automotive Group located in Hooksett, has donated the use of two 15-passenger and one 10-passenger van to the Miss New Hampshire 2009 Pageant.

Merchants has supported the Miss NH organization for over two decades, "We are so grateful to Merchants for being such a long supporter of our scholarship program," commented Jen Blanchard, a representative for the Miss NH organization.

Miss NH will use two of the three passenger vans to transport 26 contestants during Pageant Week, April 27-May 3. The third van will transport judges, many of which are from out of state. Competing girls are from cities and towns all over New Hampshire and some attend school out-of-state. All are competing for over $89,000 in scholarship money.

Merchants Short Term Solutions offers its customers long-term rental and short-term leasing solutions nationwide. Merchants specializes in multi-passenger vans and also leases a variety of vehicles including cars, trucks, vans, law enforcement vehicles, handicap-equipped vehicles and more. Merchants Short Term Solutions is part of Hooksett based Merchants Automotive Group and a Singer Family Company which includes Merchants Leasing, Merchants Service and CARQUEST Parts. For more information about Merchants Short Term Solutions, visit the company's website at www.merchantleasing.com/shortterm.cfm.

HERITAGE UNITED WAY AND MERCHANTS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP TEAM UP, ONCE AGAIN, TO HELP THE COMMUNITY!

Heritage United Way's 2008 Campaign Kick-off and Day of Caring:
Wednesday, September 10th beginning at 7:30am at Merchantsauto.com Stadium

(Manchester)- Heritage United Way is looking to hit a home run again this year with their annual campaign! We invite everyone to stop by and join in on the fun as we "kick-off" this year's campaign on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 7:30am at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. The emcee for the event is Mike Murphy, radio broadcaster and the voice of the NH Fisher Cats.

Following the Community Kick-off, the annual United Way Day of Caring will take place at numerous sites in the eighteen communities Heritage United Way serves. Day of Caring is an event that engages hundreds of volunteers in a day of community service. Last year, volunteers completed a multitude of service projects throughout Southern New Hampshire, a telling reminder of how we can all LIVE UNITED and be a part of the change when we come together to help others.

At the Kick-off event, this year's Campaign Chair, Dr. Steven Paris, Medical Director at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester, will announce the 2008 campaign goal. Through his leadership, millions of dollars in United Way contributions will be invested in the areas of critical need in our community. By targeting these resources, we will assist close to fifty programs in addressing the underlying causes of problems and creating a better life for all.

Heritage United Way is also teaming up, once again, with one of their most valued and long-time supporters, Merchants Automotive Group, to provide this year's campaign incentive Grand Prize. Donors who pledge $156 ($3/week) or more per year will have the opportunity to win a 2007 Hyundai Sonata GL! In addition, donors at this level will also receive coupons from Merchants, good for $500 off of a vehicle and 15% off of service (parts and labor).

Donors who pledge $52 ($1/week) or more per year have the chance to win a half-season ticket package courtesy of the NH Fisher Cats. Both winners will be announced at the annual Campaign Celebration event on March 4, 2009 at the Radisson Hotel/Center of NH.

Speakers and invited guests include The Honorable Governor of the State of New Hampshire, John Lynch; The Honorable Mayor of the City of Manchester, Frank Guinta; Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of Heritage United Way; Dr. Steven Paris, Medical Director at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester and Chair of the 2008 Heritage United Way Campaign; Dr. Paul LeBlanc, Southern New Hampshire University President and Cathy Duffy, CEO, Girls, Inc. of New Hampshire.

"Our annual Kick-off is an opportunity to, not only thank our Day of Caring volunteers, but get them excited for their day of service and to get the community excited about the 2008 campaign," said Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of Heritage United Way. "It's also a visible symbol of the kind of support Heritage United Way is fortunate to receive from the community year after year".

Heritage United Way engages over 11,000 donors and volunteers in giving back to the community every year. Since 1938, Heritage United Way has invested over $90 million dollars into local communities and is committed to improving the lives of individuals and families by supporting programs in the areas of Education and Lifelong Learning, Health and Wellness and Housing and Economic Self-Sufficiency.

25th Annual Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive Sets Goal of 1,200 Donors: 2-day Drive to be held August 26 & 27

Presenting sponsor, FairPoint Communications, and the Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive Committee have announced dates for the 25th Annual Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive. Scheduled for Tuesday, August 26 and Wednesday, August 27, the blood drive has set a 1,200-donor goal. The drive will be held at the Radisson Expo Center at 700 Elm Street in Manchester from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

"With the current critical need for blood here in our region, our blood drive is in the position to help save lives," said Stephen Singer, President of Merchants Automotive Group and Chairman of the blood drive committee. "The community pulled together last year with a record-breaking 1,020 registered donors. I think 1,200 is an aggressive, but fair and achievable goal for us this year," he added.

"Through strategic charitable giving, FairPoint supports local events and organizations that improve the lives of individuals and improves the strength and vitality of our community,. said Chip Underhill, market manager for FairPoint Communication. "This partnership with Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive is a way for FairPoint and our employees to be actively involved in the community we serve".

Blood collection in the summer months is typically low making the end of August an ideal time to hold a 'super drive.. Advance appointments are not required but are recommended to help save donors. time and can be done by logging onto bloodpartners.org/singermemorial or calling 625-1951.

New this year, those interested in registered for the National Marrow Donor Program can register for free during the drive. Interested people must be 18-60 years of age and will be asked to fill out paperwork and have their cheek swabbed.

All registered donors will receive a commemorative t-shirt, free refreshments and a thank you back including ticket vouchers and gift certificates from area businesses, including the NH Fisher Cats, the Manchester Monarchs, the Manchester Wolves, he Manchester Mill Rats, the SEE Science Center, the Fight to Educate, Legends Golf, Friendly's Ice Cream, Jacques Florist, Bellman's Jewelers and more.

There will also be door prizes, entertainment, air conditioning and free parking in the Radisson garage. All donors will be registered for a chance to win a one-year Porsche lease from International Cars, Ltd. as part of an American Red Cross promotion.

CORPORATE CHALLENGE NOTE:

Wednesday, August 27 is reserved for the Corporate Challenge. Area businesses, non-profits, organizations and teams are encouraged to register in advance as a group. The first 15 groups of 15 or more people will receive a free suite night at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium for a NH Fisher Cats game in 2009. Corporate Challenge teams should register with Stephen Singer by calling 669-4100.

The Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive is an American Red Cross event. Anyone over 17 years of age, healthy and weighing at least 110 pounds is considered eligible to donate. Donors must have their blood donor card or a photo ID with them. For more information about donating blood, please call 800-462-9400 to speak to an on-duty nurse.

As the 8th largest incumbent wireline company in the United States, FairPoint Communications is a leading provider of a full range of communications services to residential and business customers including: local and long distance voice, data, Internet, television and broadband. With over 4,000 employees, many of whom are located in northern New England, FairPoint is committed to making a significant contribution to the communities it serves. FairPoint is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FRP. Learn more at www.fairpoint.com.

Headquartered at 1278 Hooksett Road in Hooksett, Merchants Automotive Group is a Singer family company including Merchants Auto, Merchants Leasing, Merchants Van & Truck, as well as Merchants Service and CARQUEST Parts. For more information about Merchants, or the Singer Family's companywide community service efforts, please visit merchantsauto.com or call 1-800-AUTO-999.