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Issue 7 / Volume 1                              January 2019

WWW.MOWDIABLOREGION.ORG

  		 

Gratitude in the New Year:
 
Did you know that gratitude is good for your health? Well, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has you covered. We want you to start the new year off right with a full supply of healthy gratitude. So, we’ve put together a newsletter for you that is brimming with stories of gratitude and love!
 
Keep reading for a few of our favorite gratitude stories, including:

  • Carolyn’s gift of love to her mother
  • 1000+ happy birthdays
  • How the MOWDR community rallied against hunger this holiday season
  • Superstar community partners who care enough to give back
Each of these stories ends with an opportunity for YOU to engage more deeply with this heart-filling work. Feeling moved? We sure are!
 
Read on! And keep multiplying your gratitude for healthy 2019!


Carrie Blanding
Interim Executive Director

 
 

Habit of Giving
Madelon “Nell” is a longtime friend of MOWDR. Before becoming a beloved guest at the C.C. Café and senior center, she was an active volunteer for 13 years. Her volunteer work included serving at the café, teaching arts and crafts classes, participating on the entertainment committee, and even singing in the senior club sing-along group.

Knowing the impact C.C. Café played in Nell’s life, her daughter Carolyn, who passed away last year, surprised her loving mother with a generous gift. Carolyn called MOWDR and asked to buy her lunch for the remainder of the year. It was a heartfelt gift that kept on giving for Nell last year as she mourned the loss of her daughter.

Nell’s energy always lights up the café. “Laughing is good for you,” said Nell, who truly likes to make people do just that. She loves going to the C.C. Café to spend time with her many friends, and reminds us of the importance of family and friends in our lives.

Special thanks to Nell for sharing their amazing story. To learn more about ways to give back to your grandparents, parents, or a senior in your life, please contact Erica Marcus, Donor Relations Manager at emarcus@mowdr.org or 925.937.8315

A New Year Full of Birthdays to Celebrate
In 2018, our amazing volunteer group, "The Birthday Ladies," created over 1000 birthday gift bags and cards for our Meals on Wheels clients. Thanks to their generous donation of gifts and time, every MOW client receives a card, gift of toiletries and useful items, and some fun goodies to celebrate their birthday.

The Birthday Ladies are getting ready for another year of celebrations in 2019 and they would love your help! They are in need of items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, playing cards, notepads, gift cards to the Dollar Store, and stamps.

If you would like to donate any of these items, please drop them off at the MOWDR office located at 1300 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, or email us at info@mowdr.org for more information. Thank you to the Birthday Ladies for making birthdays brighter for seniors throughout Contra Costa County.

 

 

Coming Together for the Community
Last month, MOWDR community partners, board members, volunteers, and staff rallied together to donate money and groceries to provide meals to those who would otherwise go hungry during the holiday break when the senior centers hosting C.C. Cafés were closed.
 
This generous effort provided grocery bags and breakfast bowls full of healthy groceries, including fresh fruits and vegetables, to over 150 seniors who needed nourishing meals during the holiday closure of our C.C. Cafés in Pittsburg and Bay Point. The surprise event was a true celebration of community members coming together to support those in need, and was lifesaving for some very grateful seniors.

Thank you again to all who supported this effort with donations of money, groceries, and time, and to MOWDR's Bonnie Paulson and Nancy Raniere, who led this successful food drive.

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


Cold Weather Tips
Baby, it’s cold outside! When the temperature drops, older adults run a higher risk of health problems and injuries related to the weather, including hypothermia and falls. Like most things in life, it is better to be prepared.

Check out this article from National Institute on Aging for Cold Weather Safety Tips for Older Adults and learn about:

  • Hypothermia
  • How to keep warm inside
  • Illness, medicine and more

Bundle up and make sure to look out for seniors in your neighborhood this winter who may need a warm helping hand.

  

 

We are thankful for the generosity of our community partners this holiday season, and for their donations of thoughtful cards, groceries, handmade placemats, blankets, time, and practical items to help seniors stay happy, healthy, and warm this season! On behalf of the seniors we serve and the MOWDR staff, we thank you and look forward to working with all of you in the new year!

Kim Nelson – Kiwanis San Ramon Valley •  National Charity League - Diablo Valley • Scrappy Quilters – Mt. Diablo Adult Education • Valhalla Elementary School • Richard Mazziotti • Clayton Business Association •  PG&E •  St. Catherine’s School, Martinez  •  Brownie Girl Scout Troup/ Vicky Siauw • Wells Fargo Capitol Management Team •  Sheila Duffy • Grace Ewing/ Kinder Care • Heffernan Group • Sycamore Place, Danville • The Markstein Group • Bay Area Medical Customer Service Team • And All Our Wonderful Community Partners!

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is Hiring!
We're looking for a Client Support Associate and Frozen Delivery Associate. Click here for more information!
 

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 to the 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 community.

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