Upper Valley residents honored by NH State Commission on Aging

LEBANON — Laurie Harding, of Lebanon, and Judy Wilson, of Newport, were honored for their volunteerism by the NH State Commission on Aging.

Volunteers from each county were honored during a ceremony at the statehouse last week as part of the 61st anniversary of the Older Adult Volunteer Awards, according to a news release from the commission.

Harding, a retired nurse and former state representative, serves as a mentor to those involved with the Community Nurse Connection and delivers Meals on Wheels through the Lebanon-based Upper Valley Senior Center.

“Laurie’s hands-on and public policy-oriented volunteering has made an enormous difference to the quality (and quantity) of care available to older adults in the Upper Valley’s most rural areas,” according to the news release.

Wilson has volunteered at the Newport Senior Center for seven years, according to the release. She makes food for breakfast and dinner fundraisers at the senior center, in addition to supporting other fundraising efforts.

“As a board member she has also helped enhance programming and been instrumental in ensuring older adults have a place where they can build human connections and emotional support systems that are vital for mental and physical health and thriving independently,” according to the news release.