Portsmouth Chevrolet

Newington, NH, July, 14, 2008:  Portsmouth Chevrolet held a Donation Drive for our Troops this past weekend.  The public was welcomed to the Dealership for the one day event, and encouraged to donate items to be shipped to the troops currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While at the dealership, the public enjoyed to a complimentary cook-out, and were able to participate in prize giveaways.  Attendees, as well as employees of Portsmouth Chevrolet, were very generous in their donations.  Whether it was a bottle of sunscreen, or monetary donation, all were appreciated immensely.  Donations are being sent to the Pease Air National Guard, who will in turn send them off to the troops serving overseas. 

A big THANK YOU to all who participated.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

A mission of thanks

Event benefits troops, their families

By Chris Elliott

Seacoast Newspapers

August 18, 2008

PORTSMOUTH — The Seacoast said thank you on Sunday to soldiers and their families with entertainment, good food and lots of fun at the Operation Thank You fund-raiser at Red Hook Ale Brewery.

Operation Thank You is an annual event, now in its fifth year, that seeks to express gratitude to American soldiers. It is organized and administered by the owners and employees of The Meat House in association with Red Hook on Corporate Drive at Pease International Tradeport.

"This began five years ago in the wake of Abu Graib and other discouraging news from Iraq," said the event's marketing director, Chris Carragher, who is also employed with The Meat House.

"The first year we didn't attempt to use the event as a fund-raiser, but now we do. Two years ago we raised $2,500 for the Chaplain's Emergency Relief Fund. Last year we raised $4,000, and this year we should come close to doubling that," Carragher said.

The relief fund is a reserve of money for military families who need emergency financial help. Carragher mentioned the "Murphy's Law of military service."

"A guy gets deployed, and suddenly the furnace breaks down. It happens a lot, and that's what the Chaplain's Emergency Relief Fund is all about."

Lt. Colonel William Paige sought to stress that all military families, deployed or not, are eligible for these funds. "Any service member, active duty, Reserves, National Guard — if they have a New Hampshire connection and they need help, we try to see that they get it," he said.

The Meat House cooked up its marinated steak tips alongside pulled pork, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs and potato and pasta salads. The Whatnot, Joppa Flats and Alli Beaudry handled the entertainment. L. Wynn Sound supplied professional reinforcement for the groups.

Racing Limos of New Hampshire had its NASCAR-painted stretch limousine parked on the grounds. Rye Airfield Skate Park had several ramps and jumps set up, and some of the park's best skaters put on a demonstration. There was an inflated jump house for kids, raffle items from area businesses, an off-highway vehicle demonstration, and more.

"This is going to be tough to beat, but the event keeps getting bigger and better. We're already thinking about next year," Carragher said.

Key Auto Group is proud to have sponsored Operation: Thank You! for the last 3 consecutive years!