WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS
Meals on Wheels
Greg Alves Valerie Amboy-LaHaie Maricris Azarias Ann Bell Ralph Bell Yvette Biggerstaff Lynn Canada Paul Clark Sarah Coleman Kelly Davis Kim Foster Kristi Gomes Patrick Haggerty Valli James Paulette Johnson Kuana Liu Kristen Mahler Eric Milam Erin McCoin Charleen Pelizzari-Murray Samantha Reinholdt Dawn Salazar Rich Sayers Jennifer Snidebush Kelley Timbrell Mary Tousignant
Friendly Callers
Sally Paris
Anna Schneider
Lee Fisher
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Friendly Visitors
Jamie Berarducci Sharon Chirila Brittany Hilton Britt Jeppesen Becky Overstreet Anglique Parras Dianne Scheck Catherine Skrehot Shannon Smalls
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WORDS WE
LIVE BY
An excerpt from a letter from another happy client:
"In an era of often times hearing negative things, I thought I'd try to bring a smile and a thank you.
What a wealth of information Ms. Dietsch provided
regarding services that are available to our 92-year-old mother who continues to insist on living in her own home since 1946!
A big shout out to Anna who Mom is thoroughly enjoying speaking to twice a week through your Friendly Calling program.
Our heartiest and heartfelt thanks for your resources."
Marsha
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UPCOMING EVENTS
YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program Pleasant Hill
Next session starting March 2016!
Session A: Mondays at 12:00 pm
Session B: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
Cost: $35.75 per month for twelve months
For more information or to sign up, please contact Tracy Rogers, YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program Coordinator at
925- 887-4511 or
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Free Workshop for Family Caregivers
Tuesday, March 22nd 1:00pm - 3:00pm
San Pablo Library 2300 El Portal Dr., Suite# D San Pablo ~~~
March for Meals 2016 Show your support for seniors by joining us the week of March 21st on a two-hour ride-along to deliver meals to home bound seniors. It will change your life. 925-937-8311 x133. ~~~ Ombudsman Services presents From Theory to Practice 2016: Residents First Thursday, April 21st 8:00am - 4:00pm Pleasant Hill Community Center 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill ~~~ Laugh, Love & Learn Senior Live Well Forum & Resource Fair
Friday, May 6th 8:3am -1:00pm
Pleasant Hill Senior Center 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill Click here for more details. ~~~
MOWSOS Volunteer Appreciation Picnic ~Save the Date~ Thursday, June 16th 1:00pm-4:00pm
Heather Farm, Walnut Creek
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Media
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2016 Shrimp Dinner Video
Produced by
College Park High School Videography Students
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Partners in Care Press Release
Diablo GazettePages 8 and 19 | |
AmazonSmile
When completing your shopping on Amazon, use Amazon Smile and pick Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services as your charity of choice. Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to our organization.
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Available Resources
Free tax preparation February through April, 2016, for people with limited to moderate income in Contra Costa County.
For a location near you, click here.
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Taxes Done Right!
EarnIt, KeepIt, $aveIt!
Free tax service you can trust.
29 Hunger Action Items
| Here are some simple things individuals and consumers can do to help combat hunger and food insecurity. |
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Issue 4, Volume 3
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March 2016
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Greetings!
This month, we are celebrating the fact that people will inevitably encounter transition throughout their lives. Whether it is through a family move, as is the case with our friend and MOWSOS associate, Rhonda Dietsch, or seniors who make the shift from self-care to requiring a little extra support, transitions are a part of life. The national campaign, March for Meals, is an opportunity to celebrate and bring awareness to the needs of transitioning seniors.
Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services is the largest county-wide organization invited into the homes of our senior clients every day. As invited guests, we form friendships and become trusted confidants, often uncovering serious health issues. It is for this very reason that MOWSOS is embracing the "Care Transitions" model of health. We continue to forge relationships with hospitals, insurance companies, and skilled nursing facilities as a trusted liaison.
Join us for March for Meals, celebrate Rhonda as she begins her new endeavors, and embrace the many transitions in life.
Sincerely,
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Mahalo, Rhonda
After four years of unwavering dedication to her senior clients, Rhonda Dietsch, Program Coordinator, Health and Wellness Division, is headed to her new home on Hawaii for some adventures in the sun and surf.
"Having the opportunity to work with such an amazing team has been a blessing to me," says Rhonda. "My first order of business will be to contact the Meals on Wheels program in Honolulu in an effort to be of assistance to the seniors on the island. My passion is working with seniors and providing direction and assistance."
"Rhonda will be sorely missed, but we do wish for her the very best," says Cynthia Black, Division Manager, Health and Wellness Division.
A hoi hou, Rhonda.
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March On!
On Friday, March 11th, MOWSOS kickedoff the national March for Meals campaign with an "Ultimate Coffee Break," generously provided by our very own local, hometown radio station, KKDV/92.1.
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| | March for Meals Champions join us for coffee and treats thanks to KKDV's Ultimate Coffee Break. |
Community leaders, volunteers, and MOWSOS supporters joined us in celebrating the start of the campaign with gourmet coffee and decadent "bundtinis" from Nothing Bundt Cakes.
In an effort to help us raise awareness about senior hunger and isolation, Contra Costa "Community Champions" will partake in
ride-alongs with volunteer drivers during the week of March 21-25.
Look for stories and photos in next month's "Senior Moments."
For more information on the Meals on Wheels Program, please contact Nancy Raniere at [email protected] or
925-937-8607.
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Be Our Guest
The C.C. Caf�s are ready to welcome new diners during our "Be Our Guest" events sponsored by the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund.
"We had great success last year with fifteen new diners to the Bay Point C.C. Caf�, many of those returning regularly to enjoy great food and friendships," says Sharon Fitzgerald, Manager, Nutrition Division.
Celebrations will take place at our Bay Point, Crockett and Pittsburg C.C. Caf�s.
Bay Point: Thursday, March 17th
Pittsburg: Wednesday, March 23rd
Crockett: Friday, April 15th
Help us spread the word!
Caf�s are open to everyone 60 years or older. Contact Sharon Fitzgerald at [email protected] or 925-937-8311 x138.
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Integrated Care in Action
On a rainy day in 2006, Antioch resident James was in the wrong place at the wrong time when a stray bullet from a nearby robbery stuck him causing severe nerve damage and memory loss, requiring months of rehabilitation.
Fortunately, James was referred to MOWSOS' Meals on Wheels program and began receiving daily meals and wellness checks.
On a recent visit, the volunteer driver noticed that James seemed particularly unstable and in need of some additional support. The driver connected James to the Care Management program at MOWSOS.
"I discussed a number of options and referrals with James," say Nick Weber, MOWSOS' Case Management Associate. "During our discussion, James mentioned he had recently taken a fall and was having trouble with his balance. I immediately referred him to our Fall Prevention Program Manager, Alayne Balke."
"James' home was not safe for someone with poor balance," says Alayne. "Our Occupational Therapist visited James and within the week our contractor installed a bed bar, a grab bar for his bathtub, and a shower chair."
The story doesn't end there. "I visited with James after the bars had been installed and also noticed that his shower curtain rod was not secure," says Nick. "I was able to purchase a rod and curtain for James and installed it the same day. Now he has one less thing to worry about!"
"Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has treated me so well," says James. "I appreciate their support more than anyone knows."
For more information about the Care Management Program, contact Rosa Loya at [email protected] or 925-937-8311.
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Luck of the Irish Skewers
~a festive St. Patrick's Day appetizer~
If you're headed to a St. Patrick's Day celebration and need something easy, tasty and festive to share, try these Irish Skewers.
According to Heartbeet Kitchen, the skewers are "a mish mash twist of corned beef, cabbage, and swiss cheese in finger food form. No baking, brining, or boiling required."
Click on the skewer for the recipe.
"Luck o' the Irish to ya...."
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| Volunteer driver Steve Mac Donald and MOWSOS employees Alayne Balke, Fall Prevention Program Manager, and Nancy Raniere, Meals on Wheels Program Specialist, do their best to stay dry in front of the KKDV van during the March for Meals Ultimate Coffee Break Kickoff. |
| One of our youngest champions enjoying her bundtini at the March for Meals kickoff. |
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| MOWSOS CEO, Elaine Clark (center), greets March for Meals Champion, Christa Fairfield of St. Bonaventure Church. |
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| A fond farewell to Rhonda. From left: office volunteer Anna Schneider, Rhonda Dietsch, Cynthia Black, Division Manager, Health and Wellness, and Mary Hannenburg, Health and Wellness Division Assistant. |
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| | Walnut Creek C.C. Caf� diner, Ed Calderon, crafts his thank you card to the students at Charlotte Wood Middle School in Danville. |
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Students from Charlotte Wood Middle School made Valentine's Day cards for
C.C. Caf� diners.
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Elaine Clark visits the Senate Building while in Washington, D.C. for a National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging cohort meeting focusing on Senior Care Transitions earlier this month. | |
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If you have suggestions for our newsletter or would like to contribute a quote, photo, or story, please contact: Leigh Shughrou Public Affairs Specialist Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services 925-937-8311 x133 [email protected]
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. As a 501(c)3 we are eligible to receive bequests. Please contact Elaine Clark at [email protected] or 925-937-8311.
1300 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-937-8311 mowsos.org
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