The Littleton Area Senior Center (LASC) is again hosting the Annual Walkathon to raise vital funds for Meals on Wheels.  The Step Up · Stop Hunger 2017 Meals on Wheels Walkathon will take place on Saturday, May 20th, 2017, at the Littleton Area Senior Center at 77 Riverglen Lane in Littleton, NH.  

Staff, volunteers, and friends from the Grafton County Senior Centers: Plymouth, Bristol, Lincoln, Canaan, North Haverhill, Lebanon, and Orford, as well as ServiceLink Resource Center of Grafton County and RSVP will congregate in Littleton to participate in the many activities planned for the day. Community members of all ages are welcome to join in on the fun!

Festivities will begin with a delicious pancake breakfast from 8-10 AM for a small fee.  Registration begins at 8:30 AM, with the walk commencing at 10 AM.  There are two routes from which to choose – a short one-mile walk and a three-mile walk through the quaint town of Littleton.  Water stations will be available for walkers along the way. Additionally, the senior buses will be making regular runs along the route to pick up any tired walkers.

The first 200 walkers and volunteers to register will receive a participation wristband, which will entitle them to a favor bag, a t-shirt, and a complimentary BBQ lunch after the walk.  Everyone is welcome to enjoy the meal for a nominal cost.

Activities for all ages have been planned throughout the day to celebrate the power of community, to support our elder neighbors as well as to raise awareness of the issues of isolation, and hunger among our elderly population. Smokey the Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog will be present for photos.  Additionally, there will be face painting, music, assorted raffles, area vendors, a bake sale, and other surprises.

Meals on Wheels provides a valuable service to area seniors.  Not only does this resource provide meals to frail older adults, but it also is a source of compassionate community brought to the homes of this vulnerable population.  In 2016, Grafton County Senior Citizens Council, Inc. (GCSCC) provided 130,000 meals through the Meals on Wheels program, serving over 8,500 older adults in every town in Grafton County.

The Step Up · Stop Hunger 2017 Meals on Wheels Walkathon raises vital and necessary funds, and is a great opportunity to celebrate community, to recognize and celebrate the dedication of home-delivered meal cooks, and hundreds of volunteer drivers and delivery folks, all of whom generously give of their time, energy, and resources to make the program affordable and personal.

Many people walk to honor a grandparent, an older friend, a relative who is unable to walk, or in memory of a loved one.  Others walk simply to support a great cause, and have fun in the process. It is a chance to get out on a spring day and enjoy the beautiful Littleton area. Sponsorships, volunteers, vendors and cheerleaders are welcome and needed. GCSCC greatly appreciates the generosity and involvement of the community.

Consider organizing a team of family members, co-workers or friends; get your service club involved; walk as an individual.  Away at college or not in the area that day, no problem!  This year we are encouraging virtual walkers as well. You can even walk on your treadmill and contribute the funds collected to the Meals on Wheels Program.

Please plan to join us on May 20th.  For more information, contact the Grafton County Senior Center nearest you, visit www.gcscc.org, call Alicia Connors at 603-484-4897, or call Carole Zangla at 603-444-6050.

This walkathon is one of several Step Up · Stop Hunger events hosted throughout the state by the New Hampshire Coalition of Aging Services on May 20th to support Meals on Wheels programs. 
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