Sure, you look forward to the auction every year for a chance to walk away with some sweet loot, but there would be no opportunity to name your own margarita without the Friends Program.

The Friends Program is like that kid in high school who gets along with everyone – from the jocks to the chess players. Made up of four separate programs, the organization helps the young and the old, the fortunate and those down-on-their-luck in nine of New Hampshire’s counties.

Programs include:

– Foster Grandparent Program: Grandparents are awesome. They have tons of great stories, wisdom to pass on and often know a recipe or two for the best gooey, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies. Such benefits are why the foster grandparent program was created.

Here’s how it works: Moderate income retirees earn a small federally-provided stipend to spend time in schools, nonprofit childcare centers, group homes and other youth-service organizations. There, they help kids in a variety of ways ranging from learning to read to giving some much-needed support through a family crisis. Foster grandparents serve in their own towns, so not only do they get a sense of accomplishment for teaching a little one to tie his or her shoe, but they also strengthen their community.

– Junior-Senior Friends Youth Mentoring Program: This program pairs a Merrimack County youth (age 6-18) who could benefit from a mentor with a senior friend (age 16 and older) for a year. During the year, the junior friend and the senior friend meet up typically once a week to talk, cook, play a board game or participate in some other activity. According to research by the Friends Program, youth who participate have better relationships with their parents and are less likely to do drugs, skip school, hit someone and start drinking alcohol.

– Retired Senior Volunteer Program: RSVP matches adults 55 and older with volunteer opportunities that fit their interest and skills in the Rockingham, Merrimack, Strafford and Belknap counties. Concord-area agencies served by RSVP members include the United Way of Merrimack County, Concord City Auditorium, Concord Hospital, Concord Boys and Girls Club, New Hampshire Association for the Blind, American Red Cross and more.

But wait – there’s more! Thanks to this program, elementary school children have been matched up with RSVP pen pals and 150 adults who have or are at risk to develop osteoporosis have strengthened their bones in RSVP Bone Builders classes. Volunteers have also acted as caregivers, grocery shoppers and providers of rides to men and women over 60 who aren’t as independent as they once were due to illness.

– Emergency Housing Program: The emergency housing program offers shelter for homeless families in need of a temporary place to stay. It helps people get back on their feet by providing access to classes on financial literacy, cooking, computer skills, GED tutoring, parenting and more. These opportunities are made available thanks to volunteers and Concord-area agencies that work closely with the program.

To learn more about these programs or to get involved, visit friendsprogram.org or call 800-536-1193.