It began over 130 years ago by a group of young women concerned with the health and welfare of those less fortunate than themselves. There were many such groups started about that time known as the Fruit and Flower Missions. Good Cheer Society was one of the first in the smaller cities and may be one of the few remaining today. Many of these philanthropic organizations were the forerunners of the
present day Visiting Nurse Associations. In the beginning they took jam, jelly and flowers to the homes of the mill workers to spread a little cheer; but soon found a much greater need. Families were cold and children were sick so they decided to spend their time and effort providing help in any way they could without giving money. Members gave fuel and clothing and helped mothers with sick children. The Good Cheer Society grew from this small beginning. In 1902 they hired their first nurse. Over the years more nurses and a supervisor were added. In 1936, private donations enabled the Society to purchase a building in Nashua to provide a more suitable place for the nursing services and child welfare clinic. Through the years the Society continued to meet health needs of the city residents and, for many years, provided the only bedside nursing service. As the city grew, it became evident that a full service home care organization was needed. In January 1974 the Good Cheer Society established the Visiting Nurse Association of Nashua and became a supporting organization to the VNA. In January 1989, the Visiting Nurse Association of Nashua, Community Hospice of Greater Nashua, and Merrimack Valley Home Health/Visiting Nurse Association merged to become Home Health & Hospice Care. Good Cheer Society now supports the new association. Home Health & Hospice Care remains a non-profit VNA and Hospice serving families across 25 communities in southern New Hampshire and proudly owns and operates the Community Hospice House in Merrimack. Good Cheer Society income has come from bequests and trust funds left to the Society by grateful patients, friends and families of former members. Income from these sources is given to Home Health & Hospice Care to support nursing care and clinics. Other income realized through dues, caramel making and sales, the annual holiday plant sales, and other fundraising projects is used to provide holiday food baskets for families, holiday dinners for the home-bound, assistive devices for patients, portable equipment for the nurses and to fill patient’s special needs.
