Volunteer of the Month
Archives

September 2020
Mike & Sharon Pierce

Photo of Mike & Sharon Pierce

This month we’d like to shine the light on some familiar faces around here. Mike & Sharon Pierce are a mix of new and old to the center. Sharon has been a member since 2010, while Mike joined in 2018. Before the shutdown, Mike was wearing several hats, working in the Trip Office and working in the Nutrition Program two days a week. They both also enjoy working at our special events, and were first time drivers for our Operation Senior Cause. During the shutdown they’ve both have been volunteering in the Thrift Store as well as serving as Transportation Assistance Program drivers. Mike and Sharon are both from the area. Sharon was born in Boston, but came out here when she was three. Mike on the other hand was born and raised out here. They met on a blind date when she was 18, and he was 22. They were married 6 weeks later! Together they have two kids and five grandchildren. He worked for Fedco and retired from Beaver Medical for over 20 years each whereas she worked for the same mortgage company. We would like to thank the Mike and Sharon for their ongoing dedication to the center and its members during these troubling days.

Featured Class

Spanish
Date: April 23, 2020
Time: 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: TBA
Location: Game Room
Description: This class is designed to teach students conversational Spanish. The class will enable you to carry on limited conversation at first just to get you started. Then as you progress, so will the levels. As for what to bring, just bring a writing instrument and paper. Books might come later. We hope to see you there, or as you will soon be saying, Esperamos verte ahí.

Featured Activity

Nutrition Program
Time: Dailys 12:00 pm
Cost: $1.75 members
      $3.75 Non-seniors non-members
Location: Dining Room
Description: This week, the Highland Senior Center would like to give you a little background on a program that many people take advantage of but probably know little about: their Nutrition Program. It has been going on here at the center for nearly 40 years. When it first began, it was run by San Bernardino County. There was even a cook who prepared the meals at the center. The following year it was taken over by the City of San Bernardino through the Parks and Recreation program, which has been running it ever since. The meals are cooked downtown and delivered to the center Monday through Friday. From there, the centers' Nutrition team of volunteers take over feeding approximately 225 diners every week. Starting at 8:00 am, the group comes in and begins cleaning the kitchen and getting everything ready for the food. When it arrives around 11:00 am they prepare the trays and service begins at 12:00 pm. Once everyone is done, its time to clean the kitchen and dinning area in preparation for the next day. This needs to be done because they are inspected regularly by three different agencies. The County of San Bernardino, the City of San Bernardino, and the Department of Aging and Adult Service. However, its not all about the food. Many people come also come for the social interaction; coming hours early to chat and visit with friends, staying afterwards to participate in activities. As they say, man cannot live by food alone, and the crowd shows that they are hungry for more. The cost is only $1.75 for those ages 60 and older, and $3.75 for non-seniors.
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.