From Our Editor, Nancy Allenby  

"A BARE TREE STANDS WITH ROOTS ON BOTH ENDS..." ~Bontawa

As we enter New Hampshire's chilly stick season and ice forms on the edges of nearby ponds, our hearts are warmed by the myriad ways KNP's volunteers, community partners and donors respond to needs in the Kearsarge region! December brings opportunities to deliver holiday cards and cookies to our neighbors, to try out the new KNP software 'Better Impact', and to amplify KNP's reach through cards that let a loved one know you've made a donation in their honor. May our roots in the community continue to grow, and our branches continue to spread!

Window Dressers a Rousing Success

KNP PARTNERED WITH KEARSARGE CLIMATE ACTION From Nov. 14-18, volunteers gathered at St. Andrews Church in New London to build 192 insulated window inserts, 45 of which went to special rate customers to help make their inserts affordable. The inserts will keep 28 area homes warmer (in 9 of the 10 towns served by KNP), save energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions this winter.

Eighty-five hardworking volunteers, many of them working more than one 4-hour shift, served as supervisors, insert builders, greeters, food providers and transporters of materials and equipment to make this community build both fun and productive. Because those workers were so quick, the build finished a few days ahead of schedule. The 20 volunteers who were ready to work on those days will have to wait until next time. Many thanks to everyone who helped in any way!

KNP Wood Team Rocks!

SWEET BEET MARKET HAS A FRESH SUPPLY OF WOOD (right next to the FREEdge free food source) which neighbors in need can take to obtain emergency heat. Thanks to the 10 volunteers who spent a recent Saturday morning transporting and stacking 4 loads of cord wood. Our community partnership with Sweet Beet is a perfect example of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and we value their collaboration.

Donation Made in Your Honor Cards

BEAUTIFUL CARDS ARE AVAILABLE for you to give to a loved one this holiday season, either in lieu of a material gift, or as a holiday card. 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. What a nice way to let folks know that you are involved with and support KNP, and to honor them with the gift of a donation!

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.

Improved Volunteer Software Coming Soon

BETTER IMPACT VOLUNTEER SOFTWARE will experience a "soft launch" with a small group in the next few weeks to make sure it operates smoothly and easily...then it goes out to all of YOU! Through a simple sign-up procedure for each volunteer, this new data management system will make it easier for you to see and volunteer for opportunities, as well as to track your volunteer hours. All of Better Impact's action happens through the convenience of a web portal and a smart phone app. An added bonus: this new system will allow you to share a few of your personal interests and hobbies so that we can facilitate some fun new groups and activities within the KNP community.

'Kars for Kearsarge' Update

ALMOST EXACTLY THREE YEARS AGO Kars for Kearsarge launched. We are very excited to announce that the K4K team has just helped a family in Warner find a pre-owned car to solve its current transportation crisis. The recipients will now be able to get to work and attend to ongoing medical needs.

During 2024, one vehicle was donated and transferred directly to a neighbor, Kars for Kearsarge has been able to provide major car repairs on the existing vehicles of two neighbors, and KNP partnered with KREM to buy two used cars for neighbors in dire need of transportation. Thanks to this KNP-KREM collaboration, there are now five more households in our region that can remain independent, working and accessing the services they need.

Windsor County Mentors of Sullivan County

REMINDER: MENTORS FOR SCHOOL-AGE STUDENTS are very needed at Kearsarge Regional Elementary Schools and Andover Elementary. Windsor County Mentors, which has 50 years of experience administering mentoring programs, seeks adults to meet with Sullivan County students at school, one hour/week. You can join this extraordinary program ANY TIME DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, and WCM will train you and match you with a child. For more information, email: info@wcmentors.org, or call 802-674-5101.

Follow us on KNP's Instagram Account: KNPNH2024