Haverhill council highlights local nonprofits and honors long-running Bradford Common concert organizer

Several community groups updated the council on events and fundraisers during the March 11 meeting.

Claire McManaman Haleson and Ben Graves represented Ruth's House Incorporated and asked the council to help publicize an upcoming trivia night fundraiser at Salvatore’s restaurant in Lawrence on March 21 and a fall fashion-show fundraiser at Merrimack Country Club. McManaman described expansions in the organization’s clothing program and bilingual client coordinators to speed service for families in need. "We are expanding it to 2 offices so that 2 families can be seen at once," McManaman said.

Lisa McDougall of the Haverhill Exchange Club reminded the council that the club’s 23rd annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast, a fundraiser for child-abuse-prevention programs, is scheduled for the coming Monday at the Haverhill Country Club and described ticket and donation details available via the exchangeclub.com website.

The council also honored Paul Proulx for 16 years of volunteer leadership of the Bradford Common Friday concert series. Mayor Melinda Barrett and Council President Thomas J. Sullivan presented official citations recognizing Proulx’s service. Vice President Jordan and others announced that Team Haverhill will assume operation of the concert series in 2025 with programming moved to six consecutive Thursday nights from July 10 through Aug. 14, with rain makeup dates in late August. Proulx said Peter Chase will assist as the new sound technician; Proulx and Chase will perform the opening night as a transition.

Councilors thanked the volunteers and encouraged residents to attend and support the fundraisers and the summer concert series.