Latest News

Catherine Turgeon Named New Executive Director

Catherine Turgeon of Meredith has been appointed Executive Director of Community Caregivers. Effective December 5, Catherine will succeed Carol Gerken.  Carol has done an exemplary job of serving Caregivers since June 2008. Gerken will be pursuing new endeavors, but will be available to insure a smooth transition for the new director.

Catherine is originally from Connecticut where she received her degrees from Southern Connecticut State University. She taught English and reading in Connecticut, and has been a freelance writer for many years. While living in Windham, NH, she was a volunteer with the “Greater Derry Community Caregivers.” Turgeon is an active member of “The Friends of the Meredith Library”. Most recently, she was employed as the Senior Companion Program Coordinator for Belknap/Merrimack counties. Catherine remarked: “I am passionate about helping people remain in their own homes for as long as possible.”

CHMM Community Caregivers president, Charlotte Leavitt says, “We are fortunate to have found a person of Ms. Turgeon’s quality and experience. Community Caregivers welcomes her as its new Executive Director.”

Gift from Order of the Eastern Star

Left to right: Ron Carbary, WP; Catherine Turgeon, Executive Director; Bonnie Carbary, WM

Ellacoya Chapter #43, Order of the Eastern Star, at its December 14 meeting, presented gifts of $200 each to three local charities.  Each organization’s representative received their donation and spoke about their work in the community.

Catherine Turgeron, executive director of Center Harbor, Meredith, and Moultonborough Community Caregivers, Inc., described the supportive services, such as transportation for medical appointments, errands, or friendly visits, for residents of the towns served. Volunteers provide the services and the organization is supported by donations.

The other two organizations that received gifts were the Ashland/Holderness Food Pantry and the Visiting Nurses of Meredith and Center Harbor.

Ellacoya Chapter #43, the local chapter of the Eastern Star, meets at the Squam Valley Masonic Building on Route 3/25 at the Holderness/Center Harbor town line.

WE WON!

Left to right: Jane Foster, founding Board member; Charlotte Leavitt, co-founder and Board President; Governor John Lynch; Carol Gerken, Executive Director

At the Spirit of New Hampshire awards ceremony sponsored by Volunteer NH and held at the Capital Center for the Arts, Community Caregivers was named the state’s only Outstanding Champion in the Nonprofit Category. Volunteer Champion Awards are given to organizations that provide structure and support for volunteer efforts in three categories: education, business, and nonprofit. Our Volunteer Education Program was cited as a model for other organizations.

Established to promote volunteerism in 2001, Volunteer NH is governed by the Executive Council with approval from the Governor. Governor Lynch is quoted as saying, “New Hampshire’s tradition of citizen involvement is one of our state’s most cherished attributes. I want to encourage more people to get involved and to help preserve the tradition of civic engagement that makes New Hampshire so special.” Community Caregivers volunteers who actively engage helping neighbors enjoy the caring support from their community do indeed make our state a better place to live.

CHMM Community Caregivers 2011 Annual Meeting

The Center Harbor, Meredith, and Moultonborough Community Caregivers Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Event, open to the general public, was held at the Center Harbor Congregational Church, Monday, May 16^th at 6:30 PM.

The business meeting offered volunteers the opportunity to review the Annual Treasurers Report, vote to accept the minutes of the 2010 Annual Meeting, and elect new Board members.

Refreshments were courtesy of Ben & Jerry’s, Mill Falls Marketplace, and volunteer bakers.

Volunteers were encouraged to participate 100% in the three upcoming fundraisers planned to support the Community Caregivers program. The fundraisers include: 6^th Annual Winnipesaukee Wine Festival, the 2011 Summer Raffle, and the Family Mini Golf Outing.

The keynote speaker for the annual meeting, Carl Lindblade, a 40+ year veteran in the hospitality field, presented, "New Hampshire, A State of Mind," a humorous look at New Hampshire from the time of King George II to the present including Colonial Days, the NH Political Traditions, and Culture. This program was made possible by the University of New Hampshire Speakers Bureau.

CHMM Community Caregivers is grateful for support from the Center Harbor Congregational Church, Ben & Jerry’s and Carl Lindblade, UNH Speakers Bureau.

Charlotte Leavitt (right) presents 10 year service awards to Joan Henderson (left) and Penny Morrison (center)	Charlote Leavitt (top left) presents 5 year service awards to (top row, left to right) Doug Whitley, Rose Marie Phillips, Ellen Garneau, John Buckley, Linda Foster (bottom row, left to right) Bette MacFarlane and Art Christopher Missing from the photo are Nancy Campaigne, Gary and Joanne Cogswell, Janice Heyden, and Janice Jenket
Participants at the 2011 Annual Meeting
(Left to right) Charlotte Leavitt, Carl Lindblade, and Jane Foster	(Left to right) Bob Phillips and Doug Whitley scoop ice cream generously provided by Ben & Jerry's

Altrusa Club of Meredith Supports Community Caregivers

Lisa Davis presents donation to Carol Gerken

The Altrusa Club of Meredith, Community Service Committee, has made a generous donation to Center Harbor, Meredith, and Moultonborough Community Caregivers which will make a direct impact in our communities.

Leaders in service, The Altrusa Club of Meredith was pleased to help where help is needed.  As part of an international community-based association of volunteers, members share their energies and expertise in projects dedicated to community enhancement.  Altrusa Club members support volunteerism, literacy, and service.  Several Altrusa members are active Community Caregivers volunteers lending a helping hand to our neighbors.

Carroll County Transit Program

Carroll County Transit (CCT) offers rides for the elderly, disabled and general public.

Similar to Community Caregivers, CCT offers Demand Response service. The individual contacts the program and requests transportation from one location to another. Medical appointments are given priority.

Cost is determined by the time and miles of the ride. For example, the fee for a long distance ride would be $10.00 per hour each way. 60+ riders are requested to make a donation. Under 60 riders pay the requested fee.

Carroll County RSVP program is supplying volunteer drivers to offer long distance medical rides. There are 10-12 volunteer drivers for all of Carroll County. They receive mileage reimbursement. Recycled cell phones are available for volunteer drivers as they are programmed for #911.

Funded in part by NHDOT, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, towns and counties served, CCT purchased 16 and 8 passenger buses with wheelchair accessibility with funds from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. Funding is in place for 3 years.

Additional information:

• Hours of Operation are M-F, 8:00-5:00 pm, closed holidays.
• Toll free number, 1-866-752-6890
• View their website by clicking here.

Past Events

2011 Summer Raffle

The 2011 Summer Raffle kicked off at our Annual Meeting in May. Four unique handcrafted items created and donated by local artisans and supporters and a $1000 savings bond from Meredith Village Savings Bank (Center Harbor and Moultonborough branches) as prizes. Raffle winners were drawn at the Mini Golf Outing on September 10, 2011.

2011 Mini Golf Outing

What: 1^st Annual Family Mini Golf Outing

Where: Paradise Falls Mini Golf Rte 109, Moultonborough

When: Saturday Sept 10 (rain date Sept. 11) Registration 1:00, Shotgun Start 2:00

This first time family event was a favorite for family and friends. The event was open to individuals and teams of all ages and limited to 18 six player teams. Everyone enjoyed prizes, awards, team photos, and the mouth watering temptation of the Ben & Jerry’s Sundae Bar with all the fixings.

We wish to thank all of our sponsors.

Grants

Samuel P. Pardoe Foundation Grant

Center Harbor, Meredith, and Moultonborough Community Caregivers proudly announces a first time grant award from the Samuel P. Pardoe Foundation. The funds will be used to support the volunteer program.

Founded in 1989, the Pardoe Foundation’s focus is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that support education, land resource management, and social service programs in the Lakes Region. Grants support programs that provide for basic human needs such as housing, job training and counseling, and health and human services.

The Community Caregivers mission “to provide supportive services and information for our neighbors to assist them in their daily lives” was cited as meeting and exceeding the grant requirements.

New Hampshire Electric Co-op Foundation

Center Harbor, Meredith, and Moultonborough Community Caregivers is pleased to announce a recent grant award from the New Hampshire Electric Co-op Foundation. The grant funding will be used for the Volunteer Program to support the recruitment and education of volunteers as caregivers

Audrey Simpson from NHEC Foundation; Carol Gerken, Charlotte Levitt, and Hilda Schmidt from Caregivers

The NHEC Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), provides grants to charitable organizations, community programs and projects, and economic development projects.  It is governed by an eleven member volunteer Board of Directors consisting of NHEC representatives and community leaders from various regions served by

NHEC. The purpose of the NHEC Foundation is to improve the quality of life for members and communities served by New Hampshire Electric Cooperative. The Foundation also funds Project Care, a program that provides support to members in financial need, and the NHEC Chapter of Dollars for Scholars.

The NHEC Foundation was founded in 2005 by New Hampshire Electric Cooperative and is funded primarily through the voluntary contributions of NHEC members whose monthly bills are rounded up to the next dollar. CHMM Community Caregivers supporters who belong to the NHEC are encouraged to contribute to this program. Every donation makes a difference. 

Bald Peak Community Fund

Community Caregivers proudly announces a recent grant award from the 2010 Bald Peak Colony Club Community Fund. Annually, Bald Peak hosts a summer fundraiser, and this year $71,000.00 was donated to local nonprofit organizations. The Bald Peak Community Fund is making a difference for people in need in the wider community. Community Caregivers Board of Directors, volunteers, and our neighbors are grateful for the Community Fund's generous donation and continued support of $3,000.

The Caswell Family Foundation

Hollis and Dorothy Caswell of the Caswell Family Foundation are special friends of Community Caregivers. They support the mission of Community Caregivers to provide supportive services and information for our neighbors by assisting them in their daily lives

The Caswell Foundation provided the initial funds to underwrite our quarterly newsletter. Recently, they awarded another grant to our organization. These funds will be used to continue to publish the quarterly newsletter and to improve other means of communications with neighbors who enjoy the caring support from our volunteers.  Improved communications will encourage the general public to learn more about our mission and how they might make a difference in the lives of our neighbors by also supporting Caregivers.

The Foundation President, Dorothy Caswell, commented that, "this grant is to be used for further assistance with programs which demonstrate care, concern, and appreciation for the volunteers and their dedicated service to our neighbors." 

We are grateful for the friendship and caring from the Caswells, our special friends.

Meredith Village Savings Bank

Community Caregivers is pleased to announce a recent grant award from the Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. This grant will be used to upgrade technology and support continuing education for the staff.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has been improving the quality of life in our communities since 1962. It builds and manages a collection of charitable funds, totaling nearly $490 million, created by individuals, families and corporations.

The Meredith Village Savings Bank Advisory Committee, on behalf of the nonprofit community, commented, “Congratulations to you on your work and your unselfish efforts to help make Central New Hampshire a better place.”

Newletters

Read our latest, Issue 13, Fall 2011, and any of our past Community Caregivers Newsletters.

    Issue 12, Summer 2011
    Issue 11, Spring 2011
    Issue 10, Winter 2011
    Issue 9, Fall 2010
    Issue 8, Summer 2010
    Issue 7, Winter 2010
    Issue 6, Fall 2009
    Issue 5, Summer 2009
    Issue 4, Spring 2009
    Issue 3, January 2009
    Issue 2, Fall 2008
    Issue 1, June 2008