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2026 Annual Dinner and Roast Program
Event archive. This document relates to the event shown, not a new registration opportunity.
Annual Dinner and Roast
Honoring Ben Auger.
The 2026 Eileen D. Foley Award celebrates Ben Auger’s commitment to community. Revisit the Annual Dinner and Roast and the service behind the celebration.
OCTOBER 13, 2026 · JIMMY’S JAZZ & BLUES CLUB
About the award dinner
The 2026 Annual Dinner and Roast honoured Ben Auger with the Eileen D. Foley Award.
Friends, family and community leaders came together around a tradition that pairs affection and laughter with a serious purpose: recognizing people who take personal responsibility for making the world better.
The evening also supports FFI’s work with young people. Explore the program, photographs and the story behind the award.
THE 2026 HONOREE
Ben Auger.
Ben’s community involvement began early. His first board presidency came in 1995, followed by involvement with dozens of organizations.
His work has included helping start a school in Tanzania and serving as board president at Ogunquit Playhouse. He is also the founder and operator of AUGER, a Seacoast design and build firm.
Giving and providing for others are central to the life and community involvement celebrated by this award.
View the 2026 event photographs
THE EILEEN D. FOLEY AWARD
The Eileen D. Foley Award
Each year, FFI honours a member of the New Hampshire community whose actions reflect a personal commitment to making the world better.
Family and friends then have their turn at the microphone. The roast brings humour and affection into an evening that recognizes the honoree’s contribution to others.
Recipients are selected by representatives of FFI’s Board and past award recipients. The committee considers sustained service, community impact and alignment with the spirit of Eileen Foley.
Explore past honorees
THE PERSON BEHIND THE AWARD
Eileen’s example
continues.
Former Portsmouth mayor Eileen Dondero Foley devoted her career to public service and charitable causes. FFI established the award in 2008 to recognize the kind of personal responsibility she embodied.
Following her death in 2016, FFI and the Foley family established the Eileen Dondero Foley Fund to support an alumni fellow who carries that spirit forward.
Give in honor of Eileen ↗Please indicate the Eileen Dondero Foley Fund when directing your gift.
Suggest a future award recipientKEEP THE EVENING WITH YOU
What to expect at the dinner
View the 2026 photo album and read the event program below.
The original FFI film remains embedded here, connecting the gathering to the young people and work it supports.
DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES
Resources to share with your group
HELP MAKE THE NEXT GATHERING POSSIBLE
Tickets and sponsorship
Individuals and businesses help make the Annual Dinner and Roast possible through sponsorship, contributions and connections.
Contact Amelia about the next event, or speak with Steve about a person whose service deserves recognition.
Discuss a future sponsorshipView the 2026 sponsorship reference
These were the 2026 event levels. The October 13 event has passed; contact FFI for arrangements for a future gathering.
| 2026 level | Contribution | Included recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $500 | 1 seat |
| Supporting | $1,000 | 2 seats; event poster recognition |
| Sustaining | $3,000 | 4 seats; one third page program ad |
| Leading | $5,000 | 8 seats; half page program ad |
| Presenting | $10,000 | 10 seats in prime location; full page program ad |
| Diamond | $25,000 | Marquee acknowledgement |
| Program ad | $1,000–$2,000 | Half or full page advertisement |
| 40th Anniversary Platinum | $50,000 | 2 full page ads; recognition in press releases and event materials |
| 40th Anniversary Legacy | $100,000 | 10 VIP seats; named endowment fund; marquee and event recognition |
BE PART OF IT
Support the event
Your support helps the next generation develop the confidence and commitment to make a difference in their communities.
Give in honour of BenThe person behind the award
Eileen’s example continues.
After Eileen Dondero Foley’s death in 2016, FFI and the Foley family established a fund in her name to support an alumni fellow who carries her spirit of public service forward.
Continue the story