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Issue 7 / Volume 2                             February 2019

WWW.MOWDIABLOREGION.ORG

  		 

Relieving Pain and Doing Good:
 
You may have just seen a bit of “lorem ipsum” filler text in an earlier email from us. We hit send a little too soon, but now we’re feeling curious…

What is “lorem ipsum,” anyway?

We googled it. We learned that it was inspired by an essay by the Roman philosopher Cicero. The text is a jumbled remix of latin from Cicero’s essay, “On the Extremes of Good and Evil.” It references the phrase, “There is no one who loves pain itself…”

Pain and evil. Love and good.

Let’s choose love. Let’s relieve pain. Let’s do good!

…You can help!

Join the MOWDR team as a volunteer, a board member, a donor, or a staff member.

Be like Bonnie, who started as a volunteer and now manages our C.C. Cafes.

Be like the volunteers who deliver Blossoms for Barbara.

Come March for Meals and rally support for homebound seniors.

Through our combined efforts, we can relieve the suffering of so many seniors.


Carrie Blanding

Interim Executive Director

 
 

It Takes a Village to Keep These Wheels Turning

Lending time and skills for a greater purpose is what drives our volunteers to support MOWDR in many ways, and their commitment is instrumental in keeping our programs running effectively. Did you know that behind our great mission are many others who also work tirelessly to make sure seniors in-need stay healthy, safe and connected? MOWDR has over 30 employees on staff who manage our various programs, and an active and engaged Board of Directors who oversees our organization's activities, mission, strategies, and goals.

As the population of in-need seniors continues to grow, the amount of support needed to serve them grows as well, so we are actively recruiting for several staff positions, board seats, and of course volunteers. When you become part of our passionate team you will gain undeniable satisfaction while working side-by-side with like-minded, fun loving people who are committed to the same mission. To learn more please visit:
 

From Volunteer to Staff Member - Bonnie's Story
Bonnie Paulson, MOWDR's C.C. Cafe Specialist, first became involved with our organization eight years ago. Newly retired, she found herself with time on her hands so she volunteered to deliver meals in Martinez for three years. Today, she is still hard at work making sure that seniors are receiving hot, nourishing meals at all six of the C.C. Cafes managed by MOWDR.

Her day-to-day role keeps her on her toes as she oversees the operations at the cafes which serve approximately 4500 meals per month and offer mobile seniors a place to socialize and stay active. She organizes speaker presentations, special events, holidays meals, and special food drives.

Bonnie's passion, care, and commitment shine through every day. When asked what the most satisfying thing about her career with MOWDR is, she replies without hesitation, "I get the most satisfaction knowing that our efforts have made a difference in peoples' lives."

Learn more about how you can volunteer and make a difference in the lives of others. Because at the end of the day don't we all want to feel like Bonnie?

 
 

 

Celebrating Love Every Day
Traditionally, February 14th is a day filled with cards, candy, and bouquets meant to symbolize our love for one another. But why confine a loving heart to one day a year?

As an MOWDR volunteer you will give and receive love every time you hand a senior their meal or sit and visit as a Friendly Visitor.

Our volunteers even take on extra special assignments like the 8th Annual Blossoms for Barbara event. Blossoms for Barbara delivers and donates Valentine flowers to local seniors in memory of Linda Karp's mother Barbara every year.

These pretty plants are a small gesture of love but the happiness they bring to our homebound seniors is reflected in their smiles and in the warmth and satisfaction our volunteers feel. These are things that last far beyond a box of candy.

To learn more about opportunities to volunteer, contact Lee Davenport at ldavenport@mowdr.org or 925.954.8736.

 

Mark Your March Calendar and Put on Those Walking Shoes
The month of March mobilizes hundreds of lMeals on Wheels programs across the country to reach out to their communities and build the support that will enable them to serve America's seniors all year long. The 17th annual March for Meals campaign gives the businesses, organizations, governments and volunteers who contribute so generously in their communities an opportunity to support homebound seniors in a variety of ways to make America stronger and healthier.

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region will rally local support by holding a march on March 15, 2019 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at City Park in downtown Brentwood.

To learn more please visit: https://www.mowdiabloregion.org/marchformeals and #MarchforMeals or download a flyer.

 
 

MEAL DELIVERY IS ABOUT TO GET EASIER AND MORE EFFICIENT!
If you're still on the fence about becoming an MOWDR volunteer, listen up! Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is rolling out an easy-to-use application for your phone that will make delivering meals easier, faster, and safer.

Stay tuned for more exciting details!

 

See what Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has been up to this past month in our photo gallery! Click here to enjoy our photos.

Welcome to the Meals on Wheels Diablo Region family of volunteers! Click Here to see the list of our newest volunteers.

Check out upcoming Meals on Wheels Diablo Region and other community events coming near you! Click here to learn more.

A special thank you for voting MOWDR Antioch's
Nonprofit of the Year.
Read about it here.

Read recent articles featuring Meals on Wheels Diablo Region in the community.

Discover alternative ways to stay active, healthy, and happy in our "Artful Aging" blog.