Volunteer of the Month
Archives

September 2018
Ed & Vivian Foster

Photo of Ed & Vivian Foster

This month we don’t just have one Volunteer to show kudos upon, we have two! Ed & Vivian Foster are our newest Thrift Store volunteers. They actually came to us thanks to Vivian who was a member. Once they retired following twenty-five years of retail experience, Vivian told Ed that they should help us out at the Thrift Store. That was all it took. They first started out by bringing in store shelves and then by arranging the stock. Now they work 1-2 days a week moving the items from our center to your house. Ed was originally from Fort Huron, Michigan, and came west to Long Beach thanks to the navy. It was fate that the two met at the Central City Mall (the Carousel mall to you youngsters) where they both worked, each taking turns as the other’s supervisor at various stores. They worked so well together they ended up with six kids, fifteen grandkids, and eight great-grandkids! Thanks to Ed & Vivian for arranging our store and for arranging your time to help us out.

Featured Class

Creative Writing
Date: September 11, 2018
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Length: 8 Weeks
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Elma Mae Henderson
Location: Game Room
Description: Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin This month we'd like to help you achieve this lofty goal.....well at least half of it. Generating something worth writing is up to you. However, our instructor, Sue Herbert, can help you to write something worth reading. Sue earned a BA in English Literature at Cal Berkeley and took a post grad writing class at Columbia so she knows her stuff. She also has experience as a teacher, having received her credential from the Univ. of Redlands. Following that she taught at a local elementary school and taught overseas. She hopes to make students feel comfortable, and most of all, have fun. She believes that everyone has a story and she wants to help you bring that out. Classes will be broken up into various styles such as a memoir, humor, essays, poetry, etc. You will write about what you know, but if the assignment doesn't please you.....you can write something else. Until then, go do something worth writing about !

Featured Activity

Friendly Visitor and Phone Pal
Time: Dailys
Cost: members
       non-members
Location:
Description: This month we'd like to shine the light on two programs that not only help out those who participate, but the people they help out as well: The Friendly Visitor, and Phone Pal programs. The Friendly Visitor Program is a free program designed for those who have trouble getting out of the house on their own, to make friends and maintain social interaction. We have volunteers who go and visit people in their own homes and let them know that someone does care about them. Sometimes the two will simply talk or play a game of cards. Other times they will go out to lunch or a movie. The level of interaction depends on them. Our Phone Pal Program is similar to the Friendly Visitor Program, but is more designed for those who don't want or need someone to come over to their house. They are happy with a simple phone call. Some enjoy long conversations, while others just want someone to check in on them once a week. This program has come in handy several times when a senior could not be contacted by phone. The Phone Pal volunteer either went over to the house or contacted us with their concern and we went over. On a few occasions we discover that the person had fallen and injured themselves, and had this program not been in place, might have died. If you would like to be a part in volunteering in these programs, or if you could benefit from any of these programs, or if you know of someone who could, please feel free to contact us at (909)862-8104 and ask for the Outreach Office.
Operation Senior Claus 2015
By: Mike Sylva
With temps hitting over the century mark, we long for cooler weather. To help us keep our thoughts cool, we are in the planning stages of our annual Operation Senior Claus. Every year we help the man with the bag by providing for seniors for Christmas Day who are alone, or in need of some kindness.

Last year the center provided over 125 seniors with a piping hot, home-cooked dinner, a basket full of food, as well as non-perishable items. Each senior also got a gift card for Stater Bros. For us to be successful again this year, we need your help in several ways.

We will be looking for: volunteers to deliver the dinners to needy seniors in the area, non-perishable food items, cash donations to buy food, gift cards to Stater Bros. In $10 increments, or items that can be put into their baskets. The amounts don’t have to be large to make a big impact on a family. Please think about giving only a few hours of your time, or donating items to make someone’s day. For more details, call the center at 862-8104.