Every now and then, we like to pull back the Brightspot curtain so to speak, and share updates on our personal and professional lives. Enjoy this little virtual check-in, and let us know what you’ve been up to too!

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What is something the Brightspot community might not know about you from the last year?

Briana Marshall: After a couple years volunteering with Hospice Help Foundation, I recently joined their board. Hospice Help Foundation provides financial support for hospice patients and their families who have dire financial need in order to increase their quality of life. It’s an amazing organization and I’m super excited to support their efforts in my new board role.

Caitlin Delaney: I had a baby! George Quinn arrived a cool week late on August 1st and has spent the last six months making himself at home! Returning to work and sending him to childcare at 8 weeks was a hard, personal decision - especially with Covid! - but one that so many families are going through, or will go through, as we emerge from Covid. Having recently launched a project focused on childcare in NH, it's been an exciting moment to blend my professional expertise and personal experiences.

Kelly Delekta: After admiring the organization as a patron, I recently joined the board of the Portsmouth Public Library and am continuously flabbergasted at the breadth of services they offer (check out Kanopy to stream thousands of films, for one!). FYI, even non-residents can get a library card.

As we reflect on these last 12 months, what should the general community know about nonprofits?

BM: It’s a frightening but powerful exercise to think about how amplified the challenges of the past year would have been without nonprofits. They continue to show up for our communities and we cannot take that for granted.

CD: Despite the name, nonprofits need to stay ‘profitable’ just like businesses - they need the money coming in to be greater than the money going out - it's just that in their case, they rely on the generosity of the community for a percentage of their revenue! For those people or businesses who are not worse off, financially, from Covid, now is an especially awesome time to give back and support the organizations around you who stepped up, extended services, added services, and provided for those who needed it most.

KD: It’s so easy to forget the people that are behind nonprofits. Nonprofit employees are often directly responding to really crucial community needs – all of which have dramatically increased. They’re seeing tough stuff and taking on heavy burdens with reduced budgets, depleted staff, and uncertain resources. They’re tired and they need support – now and down the road.

Update us! Any new favorite local businesses or hobbies?

BM: I recently moved to Kittery so new hobbies include lots of house projects and lots of breakfast and snack breaks at Lil’s. If you live locally and have not tried Lil’s crullers, you’re missing out!

CD: I’ve been so happy to return to RISE’s Co-working space. It’s given me a quiet, clean, safe space to work from and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy being out of my house!

KD: I’ve become a board game geek this past year (if you’re a gamer, check out Wingspan). Diversions in downtown Portsmouth has a huge, varied stock in their store and available for curbside pickup. I’ve also dabbled in a bit of pandemic baking, but quickly realized that making a cake means eating a cake and that hasn’t worked out so well.

A girl can dream! What are you looking forward to this spring?

BM: Lots of sunshine, Vitamin D, and walks with friends and colleagues! I’m looking forward to watching my son’s lacrosse and soccer games outdoors and like Caitlin, cannot wait to get back on the tennis courts!

CD: This week’s weather has me thinking spring is close and I can’t wait to start playing tennis again (FYI - Briana and I make a good doubles team if we have any takers...).

KD: Later sunsets, planting flowers, outdoor coffee dates, badminton matches (baby steps before trying out for the Brightspot tennis team).