About Us

Keeping You, Me, and Memories Alive, Inc. is a Plymouth, New Hampshire based 501(c)3 non-profit organization. "Walk to Fight Cancer" was started by Melissa Merrill, a Plymouth State University (PSU) student who lost her mother to cancer. For the past eight years, volunteers have gathered on the PSU campus to participate in a 10-hour walk to raise funds to fight cancer and help those who are living with cancer and their families.

Our "Walk to Fight Cancer" events have raised more than $135,000 to benefit individuals and families in the greater Plymouth, New Hampshire area whose lives have been affected by cancer. Funds raised also support text book awards for students at Plymouth State University and Plymouth Regional High School who are affected by cancer.

KYMMA President Kathryn Melanson has been named the 2008 Operating Staff Employee of the Year by Plymouth State University among a group of sixteen nominees. In its May 19-25 edition, Plymouth Week reported that Kathryn, an administrative assistant in the social science department, is "a longtime PSU employee who colleagues describe as patient, skillful and conscientious."

When presenting Melanson with the award, PSU President Steen said, "In listening to the compliments about Kathy, it's obvious she is enormously respected." Award recipients receive consideration based on job performance and knowledge, resourcefulness, leadership, and support from students, faculty, and staff.

Our treasurer, Diane Tiffany, is a 2005 winner of the Community Counts Award as chosen by Pemigewasset National Bank. The Community Counts Awards Program is designed to encourage and reward the efforts of individuals and organizations within Central New Hampshire who work to improve our communities.

In April 2007, Diane was awarded the Presidents Good Steward Award at the annual luncheon of Campus Compact for New Hampshire, a statewide group of college and university presidents and private sector partners, whose goal is to integrate civic responsibility and community service.

One of our PSU Student Representatives, Julie-Ann Whitney, was named the 2007 recipient of Plymouth State University's Operating Staff Scholarship award. A Laconia native with a double major in Acting and Dramatic Writing, Julie-Anne has an on-campus job in the HUB (Hartman Union Building). A member of the scholarship committee said, "We saw her as being a very well rounded person in terms of her academic work, her volunteer work, and her student work. She has given so much of herself in the past three years to different places and people on campus and that was attractive to us."

On December 6, 2005, Keeping You, Me, and Memories Alive, Inc. received a community grant from Walmart in the amount of ($1,000.) one thousand dollars. In 2007, we received a $250. grant from Walmart. We invite you to please make a tax-deductible donation with the credit card of your choice, or contact us if you would like to provide a grant.

News Articles:

     - September 26, 2008: The Clock - Walk to Fight Cancer

     - September 5, 2008: Citizen.com - PSU's 'Walk to Fight Cancer' event nears

     - December 2007: Students "Pie Their Peers" For A Good Cause

     - October 5, 2007: You, Me: Walking to fight cancer and keep memories alive

     - October 4, 2007: Record Enterprise - Cancer Walk keeps memories alive

     - September 17, 2007: Northway Bank Sponsors "Keeping You, Me & Memories Alive"

     - October 13, 2005: Record Enterprise - Putting a face on cancer

     - October 6, 2005: 'Walk to fight cancer' raises hope

Leadership: Keeping You, Me, and Memories Alive, Inc.

Board of Directors:

Kathryn Melanson, President
Cindy Leverone, Vice President
Diane Tiffany, Treasurer
Lyndsay Devine, Secretary
Rob McAfee
Mary-Jane Melanson
Nikki-Ann Nunes

Committee Members:

Holly Kelley

Medical Advisors:

Jeffrey T. Reisert, DO
Britannia McDonald, PA

Community Partners & Sponsors:

Our 2008 "Walk to Fight Cancer" was hosted by Plymouth State University (PSU) with support from dozens more in our Central New Hampshire community.

Contact Us to discuss your participation as one of our community partners and sponsors. Our next event will be held Saturday, October 3, 2009.

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