Grand Monadnock Rotary Club Operation Santa helps local families

Items collected for Operation Santa. —PHOTO COURTESY LAURA GINGRAS

From left, John Kaufhold, Dale Gabel, Pegg Monahan and Greg Robidoux sort items donated to Operation Santa. —PHOTO COURTESY LAURA GINGRAS

Nilson Tidd, John Kaufhold, Bob MacDonald, Rick Hartman and Norm Makechnie decorate at the Peterborough Town House. —PHOTO COURTESY LAURA GINGRAS

Nilson Tidd, John Kaufhold, Cody Boutwell of the Peterborough Fire Department, Rick Hartman and Norm Makechnie are ready to decorate. —PHOTO COURTESY LAURA GINGRAS

Bob MacDonald, John Kaufhold and Nilson Tidd at the Peterborough Town House. —PHOTO COURTESY LAURA GINGRAS

Published: 12-23-2024 12:14 PM

The Grand Monadnock Rotary Club of Peterborough purchased more than 400 gifts for an estimated value of $30,000 during this year’s Operation Santa initiative.

Operation Santa, an annual tradition started in 1985, connects local families in need with community members who donate gifts to make their holidays special.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in Operation Santa this year,” stated Harry

Wolhandler, president of the Grand Monadnock Rotary Club. “From the businesses that hosted gift drop-off locations to the individuals who shopped for and donated presents, your kindness has made a meaningful difference in the lives of so many children and their families.”

The Rotary thanks the following schools and agencies: Dublin Consolidated School, Francestown Elementary, Greenfield Elementary, Hancock Elementary, Healthy Starts, MATS, Monadnock Family Services, Peterborough Elementary, Pierce School, Seven Hills, South Meadow School, Southern New Hampshire Services, Temple School, The River Center and the Town of Greenfield.

Key business partners include Beepa and Lulu’s, ConVal/SAU1, Delay’s Store, Dublin Store, M&T Bank, Manhattan East, Monadnock Community Hospital, Microspec, Millipore,New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Peterborough Town Library, RiverMead, Scott-Farrar, Tria Yoga Studio, Yankee Publishing, PP Rotary Peace & Environment Passport Club. The Rotary also thanks volunteers who coordinated the logistics of collecting, sorting,and distributing the gifts, ensuring each one reached the right family in time for the holidays.

Rotary members also decorated the Peterborough Town House and bridges for the holidays.

The Grand Monadnock Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, and leaders who come together to create change in communities and around the world. The club is dedicated to service above self, focusing on initiatives that improve education, health, and economic development locally and internationally. For information about how to get involved with the Grand Monadnock Rotary Club, visit grandmonadnockrotary.org.

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