For the McSharrys, business and community are inextricably linked

Jay McSharry is in the restaurant business (Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe, Moxy, Franklin Oyster House) and Amanda McSharry is in the web design business (The Atom Group).

Both are in the business of making their community stronger.

For the McSharrys, business and community are inextricably linked. And there’s joy in that.

“We are very fortunate,” Jay said. “It’s empowering and important to move beyond yourself and give back to the community.”

Jay is a member of the Foundation’s Piscataqua Region Advisory board and has volunteered and served on numerous nonprofit boards. His restaurants do everything from creating a market for Great Bay oysters to sponsoring events and hosting creative fundraisers for nonprofits.

Amanda – who did a stint as an AmeriCorps volunteer, fighting forest fires in Colorado and working in schools – also worked on the creation of the new skating rink at Strawberry Banke and has served on the board of the Piscataqua Sailing Association. The McSharrys support the Foundation’s work and have a scholarship fund at the University of New Hampshire to encourage diversity (both are alums).

They got engaged while cross-country skiing in the Hundred-Mile Wilderness in Maine.

When they got married, in August, they suggested that wedding guests make a donation to the Foundation’s New Hampshire Tomorrow Fund instead of buying gifts. The fund supports work to increase opportunity for all of New Hampshire’s kids.

“We wanted the day to be bigger than just us,” Amanda said. “We were looking to our future together – and a future for others.”

Jay sees his role on the regional advisory board as that of a “connector” – between nonprofits, community members, the Foundation. Making those connections, he said, “multiplies the people doing good work.”