Windham Terrace recognizes volunteer

WINDHAM — Windham Terrace Assisted Living hosted a brunch celebration last week to recognize 79-year-old Lila Bailey for her volunteer service.

Bailey started volunteering for Shepherd's Pantry 20 years ago and has volunteered at Windham Terrace for 10 years.

Laurie Johnson, president of Shepherd's Pantry, nominated Bailey for the first Windham Terrace Senior Service Award. Both the charity and Bailey were set to each receive a $500 gift from Windham Terrace as part of the award. Instead of accepting the money, Bailey donated her $500 to the charity, so Shepherd's Pantry was presented with a $1,000 check at the brunch.

“We truly enjoyed recognizing Lila Bailey for the impact she makes as a volunteer,” said Lynda Brislin, executive director of Windham Terrace. “She teaches us all that you can make a difference at any age.”

Windham Terrace Assisted Living started this award to recognize active adults 62 and above who dedicate their lives to helping the community.

Bailey was honored to receive the award, but she did not think twice about donating the money. “To me, money is not important. I want to give it to Shepherd's Pantry because they can do an immense amount of purchasing with the donation,” she said. “This charity helps the community and does a lot for me, too. It put some purpose into my life. I look forward to going out there, I really do. I feel like I'm helping people in need, and I enjoy meeting them and hearing their stories.”

Shepherd's Pantry provides groceries and health items to people in need, serving more than 100 families every week. Bailey pushes the grocery carts out to the clients' cars and unloads food into their vehicles. She jokes with other volunteers, telling them not to touch the “Cadillac” grocery cart she uses to do her job.

When Johnson got the call to nominate someone for this award, she said, she knew Bailey was the right fit.

Lifelong Learning Institute plans fall class preview

MANCHESTER — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Granite State College will host its annual fall class preview and social get-together from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at PSNH Energy Park, 780 N. Commercial St.

This year, the class previews will be true “previews” in that members and the public will get a sneak peek at the classes prior to registration and before the course catalogs are mailed to members Aug. 17 and to nonmembers and inactive members the following week.

The preview is a chance to learn about classes from the presenters, meet the staff, become a member, add names to the mailing list, plus socialize with OLLI members while enjoying refreshments.

Class registrations won't be taken at the preview, but membership applications will be accepted. To add a name to the mailing list, call the OLLI office at 513-1377. The classes will begin Monday, Sept. 17.

The national OLLI network began in 2000 with grants from the Bernard Osher Foundation to emphasize the importance of lifelong learning. The membership-driven OLLI program welcomes anyone 50 and older to its classes, which do not involve any prerequisites, tests or grades, just learning for the fun of it.

OLLI at Granite State College, which has 953 members, offers classes in Manchester, Concord, Claremont, Conway and on the Seacoast.

Farmers market program gives seniors fresh produce

CONCORD —Seniors 60 and older who meet income guidelines might qualify for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, also called the N.H. Farm Fresh Delivery Program, which is distributing fresh produce to more than 4,500 seniors this summer.

Seniors are enrolled through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, or CSFP, at more than 60 clinic sites in the state. CSFP is run by the Division of Public Health Services at the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Seniors are given a bundle of fresh fruits and vegetables grown by more than 25 farmers in New Hampshire. The bundle is worth about $18 and includes at least four different fruits and vegetables, ranging from apples to zucchini.

The fruits and vegetables will be distributed to seniors through mid-September at the CSFP sites. Seniors also will receive recipe ideas and tips on how to prepare and store fresh fruits and vegetables.

The income limits are: up to $1,211 monthly for a senior living alone or $1,640 for a family of two seniors.

To apply for CSFP and the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, call the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Section of DHHS, (800) 942-4321.

RSVP Fixit Corps available to help with home repairs

Southern New Hampshire Services' RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) Fixit Corps helps homeowners who are 60 and older or disabled with minor home repairs and maintenance.

There is no income requirement to use the service, but priority is given to seniors who lack the financial or physical resources to complete these repair jobs on their own.

Service might include installing a grab bar, repairing a leaky faucet, replacing a porch step, replacing light bulbs, etc.

Labor is provided by RSVP Fixit Corps volunteers. There is a set fee only for materials needed or used, however, donations are accepted to the program.

To be matched with a Fixit Corps volunteer to get work done, call Dee Martin at 668-8010 ext. 6022 in the Manchester area or Denise Charest at 598-9421 in the Nashua area.