Lighthouse Kids Efforts
In 2008, Lighthouse Kids received a Preservation Achievement Award.
2000 - 2007: Led by teacher Susan Reynolds, a Community Service group of 7th graders at North Hampton School began efforts to save White Island Lighthouse. This first group raised $400.
2001 - 2002: Helped by Dennis Robinson at www.seacoastnh.com, Lighthouse Kids developed its own web site. Dennis even brainstormed the name, Lighthouse Kids. The group received media recognition in local newspapers, "The Boston Globe" and "Lighthouse Digest."
2002 - 2003: Lighthouse Kids spoke at various local service groups and at the International Lighthouse Convention. Lighthouse Kids officially became a nonprofit chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. Features appeared on New England Cable News, "NH Chronicle" and NHPTV. Lighthouse Kids were again featured in several publications, including Yankee Magazine's July/August issue. With the help of State Representative Rogers Johnson, House Bill 274A was introduced to appropriate state funds to save White Island Lighthouse Station. Lighthouse Kids addressed two committees of the NH Legislature. On April 30, 2003 in Washington DC, Senator Judd Gregg presented Lighthouse Kids with a $250,000, "Save Americas' Treasures" matching grant. Jeremy D'Entremont, local historian, writer for "Lighthouse Digest" and keeper of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse (keeper@lighthouse.cc), took North Hampton's 7th graders up into Portsmouth Harbor Light. Jeremy also came to school and helped with lighthouse history. Through fundraisers, letter writing campaigns and sincere efforts, at year's end more than $20,000 was in the Lighthouse Kids' account.
2003 - 2004: During this school year, Lighthouse Kids raised more than $57,000. In September the NH Governor and Council approved a Memorandum of Agreement between the State of NH and Lighthouse Kids. Lighthouse Kids started working as partners with the state to raise the funds necessary for this monumental project. In language arts classes, Lighthouse Kids wrote persuasive letters to local businesses soliciting donations. The group also applied for and received grant funds. Lighthouse Kids representatives and engineers met on White Island to begin the design of a landing. Lighthouse Kids worked to get the state to send workers out to stabilize the tower against further erosion before winter.
2004 - 2005: Lighthouse Kids continued its efforts to save the lighthouse station. Kids again wrote persuasive letters in language arts class. Those letters raised more than $2,000. The kids spoke to local Rotarians. With the help of a North Hampton N.H. parent group, Lighthouse Kids began a major fundraiser -- the "LOBSTARS" PROJECT placed art deco lobsters throughout the seacoast region. Lighthouse Kids received $50,000 from the 1772 Foundation. On June 22, 2005 Lighthouse Kids presented NH Governor and Council $110,000. YEAH! The lighthouse tower was repaired and the keeper's cottage received a new roof.
2001 - 2002: Helped by Dennis Robinson at www.seacoastnh.com, Lighthouse Kids developed its own web site. Dennis even brainstormed the name, Lighthouse Kids. The group received media recognition in local newspapers, "The Boston Globe" and "Lighthouse Digest."
2002 - 2003: Lighthouse Kids spoke at various local service groups and at the International Lighthouse Convention. Lighthouse Kids officially became a nonprofit chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. Features appeared on New England Cable News, "NH Chronicle" and NHPTV. Lighthouse Kids were again featured in several publications, including Yankee Magazine's July/August issue. With the help of State Representative Rogers Johnson, House Bill 274A was introduced to appropriate state funds to save White Island Lighthouse Station. Lighthouse Kids addressed two committees of the NH Legislature. On April 30, 2003 in Washington DC, Senator Judd Gregg presented Lighthouse Kids with a $250,000, "Save Americas' Treasures" matching grant. Jeremy D'Entremont, local historian, writer for "Lighthouse Digest" and keeper of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse (keeper@lighthouse.cc), took North Hampton's 7th graders up into Portsmouth Harbor Light. Jeremy also came to school and helped with lighthouse history. Through fundraisers, letter writing campaigns and sincere efforts, at year's end more than $20,000 was in the Lighthouse Kids' account.
2003 - 2004: During this school year, Lighthouse Kids raised more than $57,000. In September the NH Governor and Council approved a Memorandum of Agreement between the State of NH and Lighthouse Kids. Lighthouse Kids started working as partners with the state to raise the funds necessary for this monumental project. In language arts classes, Lighthouse Kids wrote persuasive letters to local businesses soliciting donations. The group also applied for and received grant funds. Lighthouse Kids representatives and engineers met on White Island to begin the design of a landing. Lighthouse Kids worked to get the state to send workers out to stabilize the tower against further erosion before winter.
2004 - 2005: Lighthouse Kids continued its efforts to save the lighthouse station. Kids again wrote persuasive letters in language arts class. Those letters raised more than $2,000. The kids spoke to local Rotarians. With the help of a North Hampton N.H. parent group, Lighthouse Kids began a major fundraiser -- the "LOBSTARS" PROJECT placed art deco lobsters throughout the seacoast region. Lighthouse Kids received $50,000 from the 1772 Foundation. On June 22, 2005 Lighthouse Kids presented NH Governor and Council $110,000. YEAH! The lighthouse tower was repaired and the keeper's cottage received a new roof.
 The 'Lobstar Project' raised $88,000 for LHK. |
2005 - 2006: Through business sponsorship, community support and a fabulous auction at the Seacoast Science Center on September 30, 2005, the Lobstar Project raised $88,000 for the Lighthouse Kids efforts to save White Island Lighthouse Station. Lighthouse Kids received an additional $10,000 from the 1772 Foundation. LHK continue to raise funds through letter writing campaigns and speaking engagements.
2006 - 2007: Lighthouse Kids donate $100,000 to the state of New Hampshire for the construction of a marine railway at White Island. Historically the marine railway existed to provide access to White Island. When the lighthouse became automated in 1986, the manpower to complete repairs disappeared and so did the marine railway. North Hampton School's Letter Writing Campaign raised $3,400. The First Annual Walkathon raised $3,358. Lighthouse Kids received a $1,000 donation from The Fuller Foundation for storm damage repair. The evening of July 28, 2007, "Friends of Lighthouse Kids" sponsored a benefit at Lil Langley's house in North Hampton. |
2007 - 2008: Lighthouse Kids chapters were formed at Rye Junior High School and Winnacunnet High School. Pickering Marine of Portsmouth NH constructed a new marine railway. Lighthouse Kids received a $3,500 grant from the Fuller Foundation for program support in local seacoast schools. Lighthouse Kids received a $5,200 grant from New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL) to replace leaky windows in the keeper's cottage. On May 19th Lighthouse Kids conducted the Second Annual Walkathon. On June 27, "Friends of Lighthouse Kids" sponsored a White Island Lighthouse Cruise aboard The Granite State. On May 13 in Concord NH, at the Annual Awards Ceremony of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, Lighthouse Kids received a 2008 Preservation Achievement Award for outstanding education, advocacy and restoration of White Island Lighthouse.
2008-2009: A new chapter of Lighthouse Kids was formed in Hampton at the Academy Junior High School. Lighthouse Kids received a $1,000 donation from the Hampton Rotary for program development in local seacoast schools. Lighthouse Kids held its 3rd annual walkathon, which was once again a success!
Most importantly, local mason Jim Leslie recoated the lower portion of the lighthouse tower. Wind, waves and ocean storms deteriorated the 2005 whitewash. This time the white coating was Edison Coating, which has a 10-year warranty. It is the same coating that is presently on Portland Head Light and Pemaquid Point Light in Maine. The white coating is not only beautiful and historic, it's also crucially important because it protects the brickwork from moisture penetration.
Footings for a covered walkway between the keeper's cottage and the tower were constructed. The historic covered walkway washed away in the April 2007 ocean storm. New windows were also installed in the keeper's cottage. All windows were replaced, with four windows donated by New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL). Storm windows were installed over all the new windows. The two chimneys in the keeper's cottage were repaired as well.
Friends of Lighthouse Kids sponsored a wine tasting at Jewell Towne Vineyards in South Hampton‚ N.H.
2009-2010: A new chapter of Lighthouse Kids was formed at Rye Elementary School. The chapter at The Academy Junior High School in Hampton is no longer active. In October volunteers went out to replace the rope railing in the tower, paint the outside of the entryway to the keeper's cottage and weed whack the greenery around the cottage. Lots of work has been done, but of course there's still lots left to do!
Lighthouse Kids sponsored its 4th Annual Walkathon.
Rye Elementary Students Work to Save White Island Lighthouse!
On Halloween, Lance, a 2nd-grade student, went trick-or-treating, not for traditional candy but as a Lighthouse Kid. Lance had a very successful evening, raising $183 for the lighthouse project. Great job Lance!
Under the leadership of fourth grade teacher Jacquie DeFreze, Rye Elementary's Student Council ran various in-school fundraisers and -
as part of 5th grade language arts classes, students wrote fundraising letters to area businesses. Thank you Rye Elementary students and teachers!
Winnacunnet High School Students Work to Save the Lighthouse
Throughout her high school career, Winnacunnet senior Carolyn Hooper has been layout editor of LHK newsletters and she has been the student representative to the Board of Directors. Thank you Carolyn!
With the leadership of science teacher Mrs. Silver, students have created White Island note cards and magnets to be sold! Thank you WHS students and Mrs. Silver!
Check out these web sites:
Lighthouse Kids is a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation.
www.lighthousekids.org our website
http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net Jeremy D'Entremont, lighthouse historian and keeper of Portsmouth Harbor Light
www.seacoastnh.com Dennis Robinson, local historian
www.lhdigest.com Lighthouse Digest
If you would like to make a donation to help save the lighthouse, please see our "Donate" page!
"Let the Light Live On!"
http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net Jeremy D'Entremont, lighthouse historian and keeper of Portsmouth Harbor Light
www.seacoastnh.com Dennis Robinson, local historian
www.lhdigest.com Lighthouse Digest
If you would like to make a donation to help save the lighthouse, please see our "Donate" page!
"Let the Light Live On!"
