Neighbors Helping Neighbors continues invaluable work for community

The Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors Board of
Directors present Bill Diamond and Mark Bryant with the
'Helpful Neighbor Award' during their monthly meeting on
Jan. 12. From left are Patrick Corey, Tommy Matthews, Deb
McKeen Matthews, Mark Bryant, Barb Hunt Maurais, Bill
Diamond, Tom Bartell, Gary Plummer, Sandra Tyler,
Linda Morrell, and Judy Vance. Not shown is Deborah McAfee.
PHOTO BY SHEILA COREY

By Ed Pierce

Putting forth positive energy connects us all with the basic human values which we all share and for the volunteers of Windham’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors organization, assisting others in need is indeed making a difference in the community.

Despite the pandemic, Windham’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors continues to be strongly supported by the community in its vital mission to meet the fuel assistance needs of Windham families and keep members of the community warm.

Along the way these past few years, Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors has experienced changes in leadership and new, talented members have joined its board of directors.

“Due to the pandemic, fundraising activities shifted from an in-person gala to an online silent auction and our annual appeal,” said Patrick Corey, president of Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors. “The generosity of individuals and businesses in Windham have made this transition possible.”

Both Bill Diamond and Mark Bryant left the Windham Neighbors Board of Directors in late 2020 after serving in various capacities since the organization’s inception in 2007.

During the board’s January 2022 meeting, Diamond and Bryant were honored with the organization’s “Helpful Neighbor Award” in recognition of their outstanding support of the Windham Neighbors’ mission.

“Their contribbutions have included leadership, fundraising, legacy planning, and many other nitty-gritty tasks that community nonprofits face as they begin their important work,” Corey said. “The Windham Neighbors Board of Directors is truly thankful for their years of service to the community.”

Along with Corey assuming duties as the organization’s president, Tommy Matthews became Vice President, with Deb Matthews continuing her position as Treasurer. In early 2021, longtime community members Barb Maurais and Sandra Tyler were brought on board, and recently Sheila Corey was added to the organization.

“Considering the many challenges Windham Neighbors faces and the boards I’ve sat on over the years, I am continually impressed by this high functioning team of individuals,” said Patrick Corey. “There is not a problem within our stated mission we cannot solve.”

Pandemic fundraising has posed challenges for nearly every nonprofit organization and Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbor is no exception. The organization’s primary fundraising activity, its Annual Auction and Gala was not conducted in either 2020 or 2021.

Corey said that the board implemented an annual appeal and virtual silent auction to cover the shortfall.

“Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ goal is to bring back the Gala in 2022. Windham Neighbors is constantly impressed with the generosity of our community,” he said. “Area families and businesses have stepped up in amazing ways. Through the annual appeal, Giving Tuesday, bidding on auction items, and additional gifts, major funding gaps have been filled. Businesses have provided auction items, contributed to the appeal, and challenged other businesses to make matching donations.”

Maurais, who managed the auction, said the virtual auction that was hosted on Facebook provided the community with a way to participate, give back, and fund Windham Neighbors’ fuel assistance program.

“Seeing the community spirit and the friendly competition in action was inspiring,” Maurais said. “We will be having a PopUp auction just in time for Valentine’s Day. Watch for it at www.Facebook.com/windhamneighbors.”

Windham’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors organization is a 501 c3 nonprofit founded in October 2007 and is made up of Windham volunteers who have come together to provide one-time emergency assistance to those Windham residents who require immediate heating fuel.

Resources are focused for those who have fallen through the cracks and either don’t qualify or are in a bureaucratic process waiting for assistance from other entities.

Assistance from Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors is funded entirely through donations and 100 percent of funds received through donations go directly to people the organization identifies as in need of help.

To learn more about Windham Neighbors or to donate visit https://windhamneighbors.com <