A wonderful new year is upon us and already, I’ve lagged behind and have written the wrong year at least a half dozen times! It always takes a few days to get used to the new number.

This year, 2010, will bring another U.S. Census, and we’ll find out how the American way of living has changed. Already, I’ve heard that New Hampshire now has more people than Maine.

As we approach the winter, we will need and hopefully appreciate the many community groups we have that provide resources for us all.

Giving thanks

Sue Dries of the Little Meetinghouse organization wants to thank all the area restaurants for their support of the group’s recent successful raffle.

Windham Historical Society is gearing up for another year of providing history tours, programs and events for the whole community and sends thanks to those who shopped at the first annual old-fashioned fair! This is a group that runs on donations and really appreciates the community support.

Giving food

As we enter into this tough winter season, the shelves of the Windham Food Pantry will be emptying quicker than ever. These days, more people are using these resources and as the need for filling the fuel tank takes priority over buying food, we expect the supplies on the pantry’s shelves will be going fast. For information on how you can help your neighbors through these tough times, call Madeline Roberts at 892-1931. Among items always needed are paper towels, toilet paper, soap, canned stew, meat and fish, boxed all-in-one meal mixes and other non-perishable groceries.

Giving help

We asked state Sen. Bill Diamond to give us a little update on how the group Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors was doing. We appreciate that he took time out of his schedule with the Legislature to provide a few reminders for us all.

Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors was established in October 2007 by Diamond, who created an organizing group of caring Windham citizens which included well-known local people such as state Reps. Mark Bryant and Gary Plummer along with Norma Rogers, Kay Soldier, Patty Meyer, David and Sandra Bois, Glenice Stover and Ann Cornish, among others.

The purpose of this Windham organization is to provide emergency help to any Windham citizen who is in desperate need of heating fuel or other basic assistance. The group provides help for those who have nowhere else to turn to get heat for their home or food for themselves and family. The organization works with Windham town officials like Madeline Roberts who runs the Windham Food Pantry and others.

Buying heating fuel and other necessities costs money so WNHN has had fundraising events like a walk in 2008 led by Linda Beever and then joined forces with the Windham Lions Club sponsoring a run walk in 2009. Windham Neighbors also accepts individual donations and contributions from area businesses and service clubs. Meeting the needs of those in emergency situations requires the expenditure of several thousands of dollars each year, especially during the colder months of the year. Windham Neighbors does not use tax dollars and depends totally on donations from caring people.

During the past two years, Windham Neighbors has provided badly needed assistance to several Windham citizens and their families who had no place else to turn. During these difficult economic times it has become all too apparent that Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors serves a critical role in our community. For more information, visit its Web site, windhamneighbors.org.

Got news?

We welcome your news for Inside Windham! Help keep Windham folks involved and aware of what’s going on and above all, have a terrific 2010!

Members of Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors get ready for a road race this past fall, one of several ways the group raises funds to provide emergency help to residents. For more information, visit www.windhamneighbors.org. (Courtesy photo)