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Issue 6 / Volume 10                         October 2018

WWW.MOWDIABLOREGION.ORG

 
Calling all volunteers! 
You are amazing, wonderful, and doing good things to stay healthy!  Did you know that volunteering can boost your life expectancy?  That’s right, in addition to helping others, studies show the simple act of volunteering also improves your health.

Over 1,500 people regularly volunteer with us - delivering meals, making check in phone calls, providing companionship, and working in our office.  Others support our events or work on short-term projects. We could not serve the over 6,500 clients who depend on us without the help of our generous volunteers. 
 
For those of you who volunteer with us or any other agency or neighbor, thank you.  Life happens with you.  Together, we can make a difference!

 

What Can You Do in Twoish Hours a Week?
You can change the world by making life a little brighter for a senior in your community! Every year, our volunteers make a difference with 1 to 2 hour shifts:
  • Serving over 220,000 meals
  • Providing 11,000+ hours of friendly visits
  • Connecting with over 1,000 seniors in Contra Costa County everyday

Volunteers are the hearts and hands of our organization.  As we continue to expand our services throughout Contra Costa County, our need for volunteers grows. If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who might be, please visit www.mowdiabloregion.org/get-involved. Learn all the ways you can give back to the community in only 1 to 2 hours a week with Meals on Wheels Diablo Region.

We couldn't do what we do without our volunteers - so we say thank you again to each and every one of the 1,563-strong army of volunteers who make our community a better place!


The Winning Hand
This month, MOWDR hosted its 2nd Annual Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament to benefit our Fall Prevention program. The event was a success, with both poker players and MOWDR winning big. The funds we raised will support seniors currently waiting for home assessments and modifications. This event would not have been possible without the generosity and time of our "winning hand" of volunteers, donors, and sponsors!  Thank you to everyone who supported this event. We look forward to  seeing everyone next year!

Counting on the MOB Coaches
The 'A Matter of Balance' (MOB) program focuses on overcoming the fear of falling and increasing activity levels for older adults. Our volunteer coaches guide participants to create solutions to their fall risk concerns through a variety of activities, and lead them through a series of exercises to improve strength and balance. We recently trained 8 new MOB Coaches  in addition to the 10 coaches already certified who have helped over 150 seniors in Contra Costa County so far! 

If you are interested in learning more about the MOB program or becoming a coach, please contact Alayne Balke, Fall Prevention Program Manager, at abalke@mowdr.org, or at 925.891.4761.


Together We Can Deliver.™
After seeing an advertisement for the need of volunteer drivers in their parish bulletin, the Farnhams decided they wanted to make a difference and give back to the community. They took on a delivery route and have experienced first-hand the diversity of MOWDR clients and the impact delivering one meal a day can make on someone’s health.

Not only is volunteering a gratifying activity for them, it has allowed them to make friends along the way while doing well checks, minor chores, and even sharing fresh picked cherries with the seniors on their routes. Their time on the routes gives them the opportunity to chat and laugh about the quirky things that happen during their delivery days.  Thank you to the Farnhams and to all the caring Meals on Wheels program volunteers who are delivering a smile with every meal!

Join our caring caravan of deliver volunteers - contact Lee Davenport, MOWDR Administrative Assistant, at ldavenport@mowdr.org or 925.954.8736.

  

Friendly Visitors: Helen and Sterling
 
On December 25, 1914, in San Francisco, Helen came into the world. Almost 104 years later, those who know and care for her still talk about her sharp wit, her strong will, and her love of playing games. She recalls specific memories of road trips she and her husband took bi-annually after his military experiences during World War II. She talks about the weekly Mahjong dates she kept for years with her girlfriends. She acknowledges that patience has never been easy for her, but says she enjoys the time she spends reading books. Helen shares her opinion that today’s world is better for “conveniences” but worse for “crime.”
 
At 103 years old, most of Helen’s remaining family lives outside of California, and being confined to a wheelchair makes it very difficult for her to leave the board and care home where she lives in Concord. Helen’s son, Larry, in an effort to keep her active and engaged when he was unable to be with her, started looking into companionship programs.
 
Enter Sterling. Earlier this year, Sterling reached out to MOWDR about volunteering. When he heard about the Friendly Visitors Program, he remembers thinking, “Sign me up!” He further recalls, “I had a list of six people, and I could choose who I wanted to visit. Helen was on the list and it was magic. I didn’t know anything about her or anybody on the list, I just thought someone who is 103 has got to be pretty special. This lady has a brilliant wit!”
 
Helen’s son, Larry, is grateful to both Sterling and MOWDR’s Friendly Visitors Program. “It’s fantastic because it’s been pretty much only me visiting. Having Sterling come has been great! I know Meals on Wheels, and I thought that’s all you did. This is a fantastic program.”
 
When asked what she thinks about Sterling and their visits, Helen gets right to the point with the wisdom that comes with 103 years. “They bring back memories and it’s nice having someone to talk to.”
 
To learn more about volunteering for the Friendly Visitors Program, visit www.mowdiabloregion.org/visit-senior or call 925.954.8736.
 

 Volunteers mean the world to us, so we are excited to celebrate our awesome volunteers at MOWDR's annual Volunteer Appreciation Event! This year's celebration will be a harvest festival complete with seasonal bites, drinks, and fun at the Brentwood Community Center on Thursday, November 1, from 1:00PM to 3:00PM.
RSVPs are required for this volunteer exclusive event. To reserve your spot please visit mowdr.ejoinme.org/2018VolunteerEvent, email info@mowdr.org, or call us at 925.937.8311 no later than Monday, October 29. We look forward to seeing you there! 
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Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is Hiring!
We're looking for a Data Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and 
Outreach Associate. Click here for more information!
 

See what Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has been up to this past month in our new 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.

Special thank you to our generous donors who have given in tribute or in memory of their loved ones. Click here to see the list.

Read recent articles featuring Meals on Wheels Diablo Region in the Clayton Pioneer featuring our volunteers, the Farnhams!

Discover alternative ways to stay active, healthy, and happy in our new "Artful Aging" blog. Click here to read how to get the most out of apple season.