From Our Editor, Nancy Allenby 

“February reminds us that love, in all its forms, is the greatest force we have.”

As we turn the calendar page to short February, we look ahead to all the good things in store: Valentine cards for our treasured neighbors, a KNP annual meeting where we will induct three wonderful new board members, and myriad opportunities to serve and connect in the Kearsarge Neighborhood. Hop on for the ride, all you faithful volunteers, community partners and donors! TOGETHER we can make a difference.

First KNP Meet-and-Greet a Success

A GROUP OF CHATTY, SMILING VOLUNTEERS GATHERED on a frigid morning last week for KNP's first ever Volunteer Meet-and-Greet in the community room of the Tracy Library. We were so busy talking and eating we forgot to take pictures to share. With goodies and coffee delivered from Grounds, volunteers had a chance to connect with each other, members of the KNP board of directors, and our Volunteer Coordinator, Beth, and Partnership Coordinator, Mel. The next Meet-and-Greet will be at a different time and location so that all volunteers have a chance to attend one.

Valentine Neighbor Touches

KNP' VOLUNTEERS REACH OUT each February to the neighbors with whom we have connected during the past year. It's our way of sharing a little love and spreading some caring during the depth of winter. If you're a volunteer, check your Better Impact page to sign up to send a handful of cards, and maybe a little extra sweetness or cheer to brighten someone's day! **If you are not yet a member of Better Impact, but would like to see volunteer opportunities like this, please call volunteer coordinator Beth at 603-317-5900 or email and she will cheerfully and patiently guide you through the process of becoming a volunteer.

Thanks To All Who Attended the Festival of Trees

WE WERE VERY GRATEFUL TO SHARE KNP information with folks who stopped by to see beautifully decorated trees at Whipple Hall in New London throughout the holiday season. We always value an opportunity to let the community know how our volunteers can help, and that we offer so many different ways to get engaged throughout the Kearsarge region.

Twenty-First "Kars for Kearsarge" Vehicle

TRANSPORTATION CAN BE A CHALLENGE for some members of the Kearsarge Community. "Kars for Kearsarge" is a joint venture with KNP and KREM (Kearsarge Regional Ecumenical Ministries) to help provide vehicles for local families in need of reliable transportation. We're SO grateful to a generous donor who supplied a very nice car, complete with snow tires, to a local household who desperately needed a vehicle to get to work, for groceries and appointments, and to transport their family. KNP and KREM were able to get this 21st KARS FOR KEARSARGE vehicle detailed and serviced to make sure it was safe and dependable for the family. You can contribute to the Kars for Kearsarge fund here.

The Seedling Fund Project

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX! KNP's Seedling Fund team invites anyone who resides or works in the Kearsarge Region to realize their vision for promoting community by applying for funding. Have some thoughts for building connection in the Kearsarge Region? We are excited to share with you this generous 3-year grant toward initiatives encouraging neighbor-to-neighbor interaction! Check it out!

VOLUNTEER FEATURE:

THREE DEPARTING BOARD MEMBERS have each made a phenomenal difference in KNP over the past 6 years. As founding Board members, their hard work and determination helped bring KNP from its infancy to what we are today.

• Cindy Johnson has served as KNP's Vice President throughout her tenure, and volunteers as an advocate, wood team member and helps with a wide variety of KNP activities.
• Gene Lindsey has offered us sage organizational advice. He has also worked with households as an advocate, mowing lawns, hauling IN drinking water and hauling OUT trash, and serving on the wood team. 
• Linda Hagan has offered her thoughtful ideas to the Board, helped KNP promote affordable housing, and has been a stalwart Tray it Forward volunteer. She engineered the entire Bridges Out of Poverty event for the Kearsarge community this past fall. 

Although words can never adequately thank them for how capably they have helped direct KNP's path over the past six years - and how much of their hearts, minds and souls they have devoted to this organization - we offer a very heart-felt THANK YOU to each of them for the time and energy they have selflessly given. All three will be honored at our KNP Summer Gathering in June. See our entire board here.

PLEASE: Log Your Volunteer Hours!

LOGGING YOUR HOURS on Better Impact after participating in ANY KNP activity, either by computer or phone app, allows us to track KNP's impact across the region. Simply click the "HOURS" tab and enter hours and/or minutes and a brief description of the activity.

Follow us on KNP's Instagram Account: KNPNH2024

KNP 2024 Annual Report

WE INVITE YOU TO CHECK OUT OUR MOST RECENT ANNUAL REPORT here. Please see page 3 for 2024's impressive numbers!