Windham Helping Hands
Bringing Hope, Help, and Heart to Windham Families for over twenty years.
Windham’s Helping Hands is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families within the Windham, NH community.
Founded in 2003 by Windham resident Ruth-Anne Calandra, the organization began with a “Back to School” program to assist children who could not afford new school supplies. What started as a small effort to help local families has grown into a trusted community resource, providing support, compassion, and assistance to Windham residents year-round.
Our board is composed of 16 dedicated members, including school personnel, police officers, firefighters, and town officials. Together, we work to support the community through several annual programs, including:
- Back to School Program – Providing school supplies, backpacks, clothing, shoes/sneakers, and essentials to students in need. A Sign-Up Genius is created and promoted through the Windham Independent and social media, inviting generous community members to participate. Volunteers select one or more items from the Back to School Program, purchase them, and deliver them to the designated school.
The school guidance counselors then gather all the donations, organize them by family, and schedule pickup times for parents. Any items that are not selected or purchased are provided by Windham’s Helping Hands to ensure every family receives a complete gift.
- Food Drive – Collecting food with the help of the Windham Schools, local daycares, and our community, then distributing it to support local families in need.
- Thanksgiving Baskets – Supplying meals and support to families during the holiday season is a multi-day effort. Board members, along with volunteers from the Fire Department, Police Department, the Women’s Club, and many community members, come together at Searles School to prepare Thanksgiving baskets.
The Fire Department delivers boxes of food to the school, where volunteers unpack and organize the items on tables by category. In addition, members of local nursing homes contribute homemade breads to accompany the Thanksgiving Day Baskets, adding a special, personal touch to each meal.
Once everything is arranged, the baskets are assembled, and pickup times are scheduled so families can receive their Thanksgiving meals.
- Christmas Wish List Program – Ensuring children and senior citizens experience a joyful holiday through donated gifts.
This program is modeled after our Back-to-School Program. A Sign-Up Genius is created and promoted through the Windham Independent and social media, inviting generous community members to participate. Volunteers select one or more items from the Christmas Wish List, purchase them, and deliver them to the designated school.
School guidance counselors then gather all donations, organize them by family, and schedule pickup times for parents. Any items not selected or purchased are provided by Windham’s Helping Hands, ensuring every family receives a complete gift.
- Project Joy – Delivering uplifting cards to Windham’s senior community throughout the winter months.
Windham’s Helping Hands delivers uplifting cards to our senior community throughout the winter months. We invite community members, especially children, to write heartfelt messages or create holiday-themed cards for our senior citizens.
- To Kids……From Kids Toy Drive - Our To Kids…From Kids Toy Drive is organized by students at Windham High School. These students wrap large collection boxes and place them at several local businesses throughout town. Community members are then invited to contribute by purchasing toys or gift cards for Windham families.
School guidance counselors, who are familiar with the recipients, select several toys, which are then combined with items from the Christmas Wish List for parents to wrap. Any remaining toys are donated to local shelters.
- Spring Baskets – Supplying meals and support to families and seniors during the holiday season, as well as working with the community to offer Easter Baskets to children upon request of parents.
- F2FC Road Race – The Windham's Helping Hands F2C (Fight 2 Finish Cancer) Road Race is an annual 5K race that raises money to help local families affected by cancer.
Partnering with Figaro’s Martini Bar & Kitchen and the Fight 2 Finish Cancer 5K Race, we join forces to support and raise funds for local families courageously battling cancer. Together, this collaboration helps provide much-needed assistance and hope to those facing challenging times in our community.
- Emergency Assistance – Offering support for families facing unexpected hardship throughout the year.
Windham’s Helping Hands could not do all that we do without the incredible help and support of our community. Throughout the year, we receive generous donations from local businesses, families, and students. Their kindness and commitment make our programs possible.
Because of the community's continued support, we are able to serve more families and make a meaningful difference in our community. Windham’s Helping Hands appreciates our community's support in helping us succeed in our mission.
To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit windhamshelpinghands.org