From Our Editor, Nancy Allenby 

"THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT." -- P. Drucker That's just what KNP does in the Kearsarge area: helps create a future where ALL neighbors are connected and can flourish. The holiday season reminds us of the warmth and light that KNP's volunteers, community partners and donors bring to people of every age around the region. Thanks for being part of building a brighter future in the coming year!

Cookies for Kearsarge Strikes Again!

ALMOST SEVENTY DOZEN COOKIES were delivered to neighbors' homes throughout the ten towns in KNP's service territory on Dec. 7 along with KNP greeting cards, pens and brochures. Thanks to all who baked, signed and mailed cards, and delivered bags of cookies. You made folks smile and let them know that they are remembered during the holiday season. One recipient said, "KNP always takes such good care of the people!"

KNP Wood Team Steps Up

SWEET BEET MARKET HAS ANOTHER SUPPLY OF CORDWOOD which neighbors in the Bradford area can take to obtain emergency heat. Thanks to the volunteers who spent two frosty mornings last week loading trucks and trailers at the woodpile and stacking the wood at Sweet Beet. AND thanks to Sweet Beet for partnering with us on this important collaboration!

Dashing Through Downtown

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO STOPPED BY TO SEE US at our information table during the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce downtown New London holiday event on the evening of Dec. 12. Our table was generously hosted inside Blue Loon Bakery.

AARP NH Tax-Aide Program

A KNP VOLUNTEER MADE US AWARE that low to middle income households can have their federal and state tax returns prepared for free through the AARP Tax-Aide program. For more information, please call 802-359 7480 after Jan. 15, or email.

Donation Made in Your Honor Cards

IT'S NOT TOO LATE for you to make a donation to KNP in a loved one's honor this holiday season! Each card boasts the original work of local artist Carrie Bouton and denotes on the back that you have made a donation in honor of the recipient. We suggest a minimum donation of $10 per card. You can donate online, or send a check to KNP at PO Box 1442, New London, NH 033257. Email us after you have made your donation to let us know the number of cards you would like.

KNP Wins Charity Donation from Express by Facepay

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER MARSHALLS GARAGE supports Kars for Kearsarge by providing cars and repairs. Like many auto shops, Marshalls uses Express by Facepay as an automated customer checkout method. Marshalls nominated KNP for Express's charity donation giveaway, and we won! Many thanks to Marshalls Garage -- both for nominating us, and for going above and beyond to support our community through Kars for Kearsarge!

Improved Volunteer Software Coming in January

BETTER IMPACT VOLUNTEER SOFTWARE will have a "soft launch" during the first two weeks of January with volunteers who were active in 2024, and then it goes out to everyone! We will be here to support volunteers through a simple sign-up procedure. This new data management system will make it easier for folks to see and volunteer for opportunities, as well as to track their volunteer hours. We are excited that this new software will allow us each to share a few of our personal interests and hobbies so that we can facilitate some fun new groups and activities within the KNP community.

KNP "Seedlings" Fund

A NEW KNP MINI-GRANT PROCESS offers funding to projects that improve connections within the ten KNP towns. Many projects are replicable, and their impact can be multiplied, thereby nurturing a 'seedling' of an idea that can grow over time, and in different places.

DRIVERS EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS will allow six students to receive their driving permits so that they can get themselves to school and work. In return, they will each contribute 20 hours of volunteer service in an area of their interest with an adult mentor.

YOGA CLASSES AT KEARSARGE HIGH SCHOOL provide students a way to settle their minds and bodies during the school day.

TEN STUDENTS HAD SENIOR PHOTOS TAKEN and we're thrilled that they will now be included in their yearbooks. A classroom teacher received a stipend for taking the students' photos and he did a fantastic job!

A KNP DONATION TO THE COUGAR CUPBOARD will help children who live with food insecurity by providing food items that will go home from the Sutton Elementary School on weekends, holidays and vacations. If you are interested in further supporting the effort, please reach out to the Sutton Central School PTO,

Windsor County Mentors of Sullivan County

KEARSARGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND ANDOVER ELEMENTARY need mentors for school age students! Windsor County Mentors seeks adults to meet with Sullivan County students AT SCHOOL, one hour/week. You can join this extraordinary program at any time, and WCM will train you and match you with a child. For more information, email: info@wcmentors.org, or call 802-674-5101.

We're Tallying Your Volunteer Service Hours!

IF YOU HAVEN'T CHECKED IN FOR A WHILE after interacting with a neighbor or community partner, delivering wood, attending a KNP meeting, or participating in ANY other KNP activity, please estimate your hours retroactively and check in now! We will be counting the volunteer service hours for the 2024 KNP Annual Report, and YOU can help us be more accurate by checking in for all the hours you have contributed this year.

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