Portsmouth Man Honored For Volunteerism At Vaughan Awards

CONCORD, NH — Galen Gagnon of Portsmouth was among several senior volunteers honored for their service, at the Joseph D. Vaughan Awards held at the State House in Concord this month. The award, given each May in celebration of Older Americans Month, recognizes citizens who are 60 years old or older for their exemplary volunteer efforts on behalf of New Hampshire's seniors. One person from each county in the state was awarded during a ceremony on Monday, May 6.

The annual award began in 1962 in memory of Joseph D. Vaughan, a former legislator who advocated on behalf of seniors. The award is presented by the group, EngAGING New Hampshire, which promotes citizen leadership and opportunities for purposeful engagement for New Hampshire's older population.

On May 6, the following Joseph D. Vaughan Award recipients were honored by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Gov. Chris Sununu, the State Committee on Aging, and EngAGING New Hampshire:

• Belknap County: Charlotte Leavitt of Laconia
• Carroll County: Dr. Marianne Jackson of Madison
• Cheshire County: Charles Anderson of Swanzey
• Coos County: Mark Frank of Lancaster
• Grafton County: Sheila Nelson of Hanover
• Hillsborough County: Rev. Madelyn Curtis Klose of Antrim
• Merrimack County: Wanda Belyea of Franklin
• Rockingham County: Galen Gagnon of Portsmouth
• Strafford County: Sandy Tobin of Dover
• Sullivan County: Gianna Gregorutti of Claremont