Rockingham Times

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PORTSMOUTH—Arts In Reach (AIR) is deeply honored to present Anne Romney of Portsmouth with the 2022 Spirit of AIR Award on Sept. 14.

Annually at the Spirit of AIR Celebration, the organization honors someone who embodies its mission and dedicates themselves to improving the lives of teens and others from the Greater Seacoast. This year’s Spirit of AIR Celebration marks the organization’s 25th anniversary.

Last year’s award recipient, Glicka Kaplan, who also is an AIR board member and past president notes, “We are thrilled to honor Anne at our 25th-anniversary celebration. Anne Romney represents a life filled with the Spirit of AIR. Through her years of support and her enthusiastic teaching, she has encouraged our teens, staff, board, and teaching artists to live our mission.”

Founded in 1997, AIR is a nonprofit community arts organization dedicated to empowering teenage girls and gender expansive youth ages 11-22. Its free, year-round programs are led by professional artists and promote the self-confidence, collaboration, and leadership skills that teens need to build fulfilling lives.

Romney is a consummate supporter of AIR and its mission. She advocates for AIR teens, attends their art showcases, and leads diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice workshops for AIR staff and board members.

"I am such a believer in AIR and all the good it has accomplished over the past 25 years,” Romney says. “It is my honor and pleasure to be receiving this award, to share in the 25th celebration, and to help spread awareness of this wonderful organization."

Having moved to Portsmouth more than a decade ago, Romney quickly became a paragon of community service. She is the membership coordinator for Seacoast NAACP and on the program committee of the Black Heritage Trail of NH. She leads Stand Up to Racism workshops, co-facilitates White People Challenging Racism programs, and guides Portsmouth Listens groups. She is a past president of Friends Forever International and a dedicated volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association. She also sings with Voices From The Heart.

AIR Executive Director Debra Holloway points out, “Anne is committed to so many important causes locally, nationally, and internationally. We are incredibly proud to honor Anne’s impact on our community.”

AIR will present Romney the award on Sept. 14 at the Atlantic Grill patio in Rye from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets to attend the event are on sale at www.artsinreach.org/events or by calling (603) 433-4278. Donations are welcome. The event is sponsored in part by Service Credit Union and Kennebunk Savings Bank.

Original source can be found here.