Offline
My Badges
Create The Good
Create The Good
Background
Location:
Manchester, New Hampshire
United States

My Journals (55)

AndrusLogo

 AARP New Hampshire is pleased to announce the award recipients recognized at the 2008 Andrus Awards Ceremony.

 

 This year's ceremony was held on Monday, November 10th, 2008 at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH.

 

 The following individuals were honored:

 

 Driver Safety Volunteer of the Year:

Bill Russell

 

 Tax-Aide Volunteer of the Year:

Jim Hunt

 

Retired Educator of the Year:

Barbara Doyle

 

 Community Partner of the Year:

Ruth Morgan of Gateways Community Serivce, Nashua

 

Information Center Volunteer:

Sheila Houle

 

Chapter Challenge Awards

Claremont: Judy Sisson and Ethel Nilsen

Concord: Tim Gormley and Ramona Brooks

Milford: Marcia Hazen-Cheever and Gerrie Porter

Nashua: Ruth Morgan and Kay Noel

 

Andrus Award for Community Service Finalists

Barbara Doyle, Lucille Farwell, Robert Mallat, Jr., and Rose Manes

 

Andrus Award for Community Service Recipient

Ollie Lafond

Added: January 7, 2009
Views: 230 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

 

AndrusLogo  

2008 Winner Olive (Ollie) Lafond  

Andrus Award Winner

 It’s difficult to know just how many people’s lives have been made better thanks to the dedicated volunteer work of Ollie Lafond. Over the past 12 years, Ollie has worked with the NH Driver Safety Program. She has personally educated more than 700 drivers, who, as a result of her instruction, now travel the highways and byways of the granite state more safely. We’ll never know how many accidents have been avoided thanks to Ollie, or how many lives she may have been saved.

 

 Ollie Lafond was born and raised in New Hampshire. She grew up on a farm in Conway, attended KennettHigh School, and after graduation, joined the United States Air Force in the 1960’s. Later, she married her husband, Robert, and together they raised five boys. 

 

 Ollie knows all about Yankee ingenuity and hard work. When her boys entered grade school, she went back to work with New England Telephone.  Ollie also volunteered, serving as the Director and Officer for the N.H. Chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of America, one of the largest charitable volunteer organizations in the country.

 

 After retiring, Ollie and Robert traveled extensively, but after a few years she felt as though something was missing in her life.  In 1996 she saw an ad in the AARP Magazine that changed everything.  It read “Driver Safety Instructors Needed,” so Ollie and Robert signed up to make life not only better, but safer for older drivers and others on the road.  

 

 In 2006, Ollie’s husband, Robert, passed away. Before his death, Robert had been serving as the Assistant State Coordinator for the Driver Safety program. Ollie says that she continues her volunteer work to honor and remember her husband. Robert was a proud volunteer, who felt that people should “give back.” That’s just what Ollie has continued to do.

 

 Ollie is always there to lend a hand far beyond the confines of the Driver Safety Program. She is often seen at other AARP and Divided We Fail events. Her calm, caring demeanor and can-do attitude make giving her a hug almost irresistible. 

 

 For the past two years, Ollie has served as the State Coordinator for the Driver Safety Program. Ollie’s volunteers will tell you that there’s no one more deserving of this year’s Andrus Award – Ollie is a lady with a warm heart, who loves to do good for others.

 

 

Added: January 7, 2009
Views: 219 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Someone will decide where you

spend the rest of your life.

Make sure it's you.


 

Join our campaign! Simply complete the form below, and click submit. Your voice may also help influence and educate legislators, policy makers, and other key stakeholders. Thank you!
 



Please add my name to the growing list of New Hampshire residents who want long-term care options that allow us to stay indepndent for as long as possible. Over 80 percent of New Hampshire's long-term care budget is spent on nursing homes even though 9 out of 10 New Hampshire residents would prefer to receive long-term care services in their homes or communities. I want to join AARP New Hampshire in making sure we have better funding of home- and community-based options that give us the appropriate services, in the right setting, at a lower cost.

Name:
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
Email Address:

form mail

create web form

Please Read Before Hitting Submit:

(After clicking the "Submit Form" button, you will be brought to a Thank You page which will show your information being sent in a progress bar at the top of the screen.  After it has been sent, click the link which reads Continue at the top of the page. This will direct you back the  AARP New Hampshire page)
Added: January 5, 2009
Views: 1022 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Long-Term Independence Now!

Read the information and fill out the form below


 

Someone will decide where you spend the rest of your life. Make sure it's you.  

You've worked hard to be this to be this independant. That freedom shouldn't end as you get older.


Most of us know that we're likely to need help to continue living independently as we age. Yet, few of us take action to plan for the future we want.

The good news is that nursing homes are not the only answer. There are other choices that most Americans prefer--like getting care at home. Porgrams exist to help people remain independent as they age and stay in their homes and communities. The bad news is these services might not be readily available to everyone who wants them.
 

If you take action now, you can greatly increase the type of quality care you need in the setting of your choice--whether it's in your own home, a community program, an assisted living facility, or nursing home. 
 

It's your life. Live it where you want.

 In an AARP survey, 9 out of 10 New Hampshire residents say they would prefer to receive long-term care services in their homes or communities. But we have a problem in New Hampshire. 

  • Those who can afford to pay for these services might not be able to find them.
  • Even if services are available, they often end when the money runs out.
  • Those that can't afford to pay for these services often don't have viable options.

Many people who want to stay in their homes and communities as they age will not have that choice. Why? Over 80 percent of New Hampshire's long-term care budget for older adults is spent on nursing homes, leaving less that 20 percent for home- and community-based services. 
 

Better funding of home- and community-based services will give people more long-term care options: the appropriate services, in the right setting, at a lower cost.
 

This year, AARP New Hampshire will work to ensure our residents remain independent for as long as possible. Please join our efforts. 
 

Here's what you can do:

  • Learn more about long-term care services and other supports at http://www.aarp.org/health/longtermcare.
  • Talk with your family about the care you would want.
  • Consider your care needs and how you'll pay for them, just as you do your retirement and financial planning.
  • Volunteer in community programs that help your neghbors keep their independence.
  • Get involved with AARP. 

Take Charge of your future today!
 Fill out the form below to get involved with AARP New Hampshire


 

Name:
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
Email Address:
I want to join AARP in giving New Hampshire residents more long-term care choices. Yes
 
I want to receive electronic news updates on events and legislative activities. Yes
 
I want to be an AARP long-term care reform volunteer. Yes
 
I'm willing to share my story about the challenges of paying for and getting quality care. Please call me. Yes
 


 

Please Read Before Hitting Submit:

(After clicking the "Submit Form" button, you will be brought to a Thank You page which will show your information being sent in a progress bar at the top of the screen.  After it has been sent, click the link which reads Continue at the top of the page. This will direct you back the  AARP New Hampshire page)
Added: December 30, 2008
Views: 469 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

 
In January, the New Hampshire Divided We Fail staff and volunteers were in hot pursuit of candidates, politicos and earned media during our first-in-the nation presidential primary. It was a great way to bring together new volunteers and staff, and everyone hit the road running.
 
Volunteer, Don Bowdoin (of Nashua) shared his story …. And his story became a focal point for volunteer recruitment efforts with a recruitment flyer mailing and a Member Update article which reached all 240,000 AARP members in New Hampshire. 
 
His testimonial below inspired over 25 people to contact our office to find out how they could get involved with Divided We Fail. We are truly grateful to Don not only for his tireless work during the primary season and beyond, but for sharing his story that reached so many people. He continues to be a force to be reckoned with as he helps with Divided We Fail forums – and encourages others to join in – attends 50th Anniversary events and even spends two days a week in the office, lending his expertise to a variety of issues. He is a CHAMP!
 
Don’s Story
 
Being a recent retiree, I needed something to keep me busy. By chance I attended an AARP Chapter meeting in Nashua in October where I met Bill Redding. He explained the Divided We Fail program and he suggested I visit the Manchester, NH state office. I found just what I was looking for. 
 
It is a vibrant place full of activity and opportunities to learn different skills. The most interesting day so far has been Primary Day where through the efforts and kindness of Ally McNair, I met several well known people including Dennis Kucinich and George Steponopoulas. Elm Street was just bursting with media activity. It gave me an opportunity to observe the political process first hand and how it is presented to the American public. I found the environment addictive.
 
I have learned different skills necessary to the efficient operation of a lobbying organization such as AARP. The current staff are well suited to their positions with their various backgrounds and a wealth of knowledge. They are also very patient in showing a newcomer like myself the ropes. I made an excellent decision by deciding to take a chance on a new challenge.

 

Photo: Don Bowdoin, Ally McNair and George Stephanopolous.
Added: June 30, 2008
Views: 571 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0