It's hard to believe we are already at the end of the year, but here we are. I just want to thank you so much for your support as a community this year.  

You helped us get through a massive Medi-Cal provider cut without having to cut back on any of our programs or services for our residents. We are considerably more dependent now on donations than we have been in the past many years, and you came through for our residents, making sure the quality of their lives didn't suffer. This is a real triumph and the best gift we could ask for.

From all of us at Hillside House we wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

Pam Flynt Tambo

Executive Director 

Christmas at Hillside House   

Santa Visits Hillside House

Christmas is a joyful time at Hillside House. Our residents love to celebrate and really know about the spirit of Christmas-about joy and love and magic. We spend many weeks doing seasonal craft projects almost daily with the residents and using the decorations they make to adorn the walls and make Hillside House festive for the holidays. This week, among other projects, we made bell bracelets so they could ring in the holidays. Residents enjoy helping decorate the tree and much excitement builds about Santa Claus and the presents under the tree.

Our annual Holiday Open House was wonderful. The bake sale was a delicious success, and Santa Claus came to visit, talking to the residents about their Christmas wishes and generally making merry. They were thrilled about his visit. Quetzalcoatl performed lively dance and music for us as well. 

Quetzalcoatl

The Assistance League came and performed carols and got the residents singing along, as they do each year. We have also been taking residents on gift shopping trips to town and to see the holiday movies-always a treat.

On Christmas day, residents get to open their presents. We are fortunate to receive some wonderful donated gifts, and we make sure that every resident receives something they will enjoy. Assistance League Secret Pals also send each resident a special gift. Families will come visit or bring residents home with them. At Hillside House we serve a special Christmas feast-this year glazed pork and red velvet cake are on the menu. And we have a special project: Volunteers will come on Christmas day to make gingerbread houses with the residents. Ho ho ho!

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Celebrating 2011: Thanks to our Supporters!          

We shared some successes of the past year with you in our Annual Report, so we won't repeat those here. If you didn't receive our Annual Report, you can read it here. If you'd like to be mailed a copy, just let us know: clauber@hillsidehousesb.org

Here are a few more accomplishments from 2011 that we'd like to celebrate with you:  

* We made upgrades to our staff training programs and to our CNA care, thanks to having Ricardo Martinez in the new position of CNA Department Supervisor and Director of Staff Development.

* Because of Ricardo taking over some of her previous responsibilities, Client Services Director Gail Metzger has been able to devote more time to working one-on-one with our Physical Therapy Assistants and Skills Development Specialists to ensure our residents are getting the very best help.

* We re-paved our parking lot and driveways so that residents going outside in their wheelchairs are considerably safer, and access to Hillside House is easier.

* Our online community of friends and supporters continues to grow with new Facebook friends and new people signing up to receive this e-newsletter each month. Welcome!  

The real successes are daily at Hillside House: in the smiles of our residents, in the activities they engage in, the adventures they have, the learning they acquire, the friendships that enrich all of our lives. 

Many thanks to all our friends who helped make a difference in the lives of our residents this year. We couldn't do it without you. 

Notes and Letters    

Residents in the Computer Lab

We are grateful for the lovely encouragement we receive from friends and family through hand-written notes and online. Here are a few we'd like to share. This first was posted on Facebook this past month:

"Our most heartfelt thanks to each of you for your loving care of the residents of Hillside House!" Bob & Lee H.

"We are so grateful for the love and support shown to our daughter on a daily basis." Ellen and Richard B.

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