Sunday, February 11, 2018

GHSS ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2017



Greater Hillsborough Senior Services 2017 Annual Report

Greater Hillsborough Senior Services (GHSS) is a NH non-profit corporation serving all seniors in the Greater Hillsborough, NH area comprising the towns of Hillsborough, Deering, Antrim, Bennington, Peterborough, Washington, Windsor.  Our mission is to provide support, services, congregate opportunities and advocacy that help seniors remain active, respected and vital members of the community.  To that end, 2017 saw an 8 % increase in senior participation.

Regular monthly activities include:  Yoga, pickle ball, Crafty Critters for crafters, games/cards, biweekly Maple Leaf trips, and shopping trips to a variety of locations such as Walmart, the Christmas Tree shop, and Trader Joe’s.

We provide drivers to the State’s Volunteer Driver program that transports seniors to doctor appointments, lab tests, and clinics in outlying areas as well as other appointments that individuals are unable to access because of lack of public transportation in the area. 
We are a conduit with many other service industries to answer senior needs on a wide variety of issues, such as tax preparation, heating sources, referrals, caregiver resources etc.

This year we provided a number of Information Sessions/Meetings and Luncheon and Learn opportunities which included:  Strong Living, A Matter of Balance:  Managing Concerns About Falling, and John Daly’s presentation of protecting and securing computers.

Our Senior Luncheons provide healthy food and socialization opportunities at a nominal fee.  Monthly luncheons alternate between St. Mary’s Church and the Deering Community Church, Chinese New Year’s Luncheon, our annual Senior Barbecue at the Deering Church Pavilion, a picnic in New Castle and the annual Silver Christmas Tea and Luncheon.

Our bus traveled extensively to provide a wide variety of social, cultural and education opportunities.  Examples include:  movies “Manchester by the Sea” and “Calendar Girls” at Chunk’s Theater; Walker Lecture Series in Concord; plays/musicals “Noises Off” and “Patsy Cline Remembered; trips Antiquing and Thrift shopping; and NH outings like the Sandcastles at Hampton Beach, Ben’s Sugar Shack, NH League of Crafters Fair, Allyson’s Orchard, Leaf Peeping and the Festival of Trees.

Annually we create, publish and mail/transmit over 9,000 issues of our monthly newsletter Seniors Alive! to our members.

Also, GHSS gives back to the community.  This past year we provided transportation during a 2 day period of the Living History Month and our Holiday Gift Project provided additional gifts in the Lion’s Club Christmas Food Pantry gift baskets.
Lastly, in 2017 GHSS was tasked by the Town of Hillsborough to assume the responsibility of Senior Trips previously overseen by the Senior Action Committee (SAC).  In 2017, four trips were organized, promoted and provided.  They were the Hu ke Lau Polynesian dining and show, M/S Mt. Washington Senior Sunset Cruise, Foster’s Clam Bake and Nubble Lighthouse trip, and a holiday trip to MA to see “The Bright Night” tour and shop the Yankee Candle flagship store.