Among Volunteers masthead_gif
OCTOBER 2015
V.I.P. Roundtables:    invite
Reshaping LBFE for
tomorrow's elders 
 
Come help us as we strategize LBFE's role in the years ahead:

Thursday, October 22
5:30 - 8:30 p.m. (light supper)
or
Tuesday, October 27
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (light lunch)

Location: 1845 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407

R.S.V.P.  dfehring@littlebrothersmn.org or call 612.746.0726. 
Holiday Fever - Catch it Here!
Volunteer Manager, Georgia Afton

Dear Much-appreciated Volunteers,

I just sent my 86-year old Mom a card with this quote: "The only way to get old is to outlive enthusiasm," which struck me as perfect for  LBFE and you.

With over 20 events on deck between now
and the end of the year - we're full of enthusiasm readying to make the holiday months special for our elders. And, of course, we'll be hosting our famous day-of Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. I'm excited to see many of you there.

Why do we make such an effort at this time of year, and how to we manage to pull off so many gatherings? Because the holidays are notoriously lonely for isolated elders, magnifying as they do family togetherness, which stands in sharp contrast to many older people's reality.

The "how" part of the holidays-LBFE-style, all comes down to you. Without enthusiastic volunteers like you we couldn't possibly round up so much warmth, fun and companionship to touch the lives of the many elders, who look to LBFE as family. Thank you for the difference you make.

If you'd like to sign up to join in the festivities this year:




Alternately, email me at gafton@littlebrothersmn.org or call me at 612 .746.0732 to sign up.

Please also feel free to visit our holiday web page or to share it with your family, friends and coworkers:

For other volunteer opportunities, please be sure to check out Matches Made in Heaven, Elder Day Dreams and our Events Calendar. You'll also find a couple of free tickets to Shakespeare's Henry IV on Wednesday, October 14 at Out and About Town. In addition, we're in need of a handyperson to help with light building maintenance.

And speaking of enthusiasm, be sure to take a look at what fabulous elder volunteer, Willie Jackson is up to.

Warmly with heartfelt thanks for the difference your enthusiasm  makes in our elders' lives,

Georgia
Willie

Forget Speed Dial:

Elder Volunteer Willie J. Calls Invitees


Meet LBFE elder-turned-volunteer Willie Jackson. A former radio personality and 
genuine gentleman, Willie adds sparkle to every LBFE event he attends, and now he's lending his warmth and charm to our efforts to reach out and invite elders to our gatherings.

Thanks to long-time volunteer driver Rick Ziton, Willie catches a ride to our offices, and then dials up a storm. A wonderful reflection of LBFE's cornerstone values of hospitality, reciprocity, dignity and kindness, Willie's no speed dial operator. He infuses his calls with caring and concern. He takes time to inquire after each fellow elder's day and to chat and chew the fat, while extending a friendly invitation to join him at an upcoming LBFE shindig.

Hats off to Willie and our deepest thanks to Rick for getting Willie to and from our offices for his volunteer stint.

Know an elder who would like to volunteer? E-mail or call Georgia:
  
Match
Matches Made in Heaven
Visiting Volunteer Opportunities

Bill is new to LBFE and would very much like to connect with a visiting volunteer. He discovered LBFE through an ad in Lavender Magazine featuring our monthly Let's Do Lunch LGBT Cafe. He's been pretty lonely since his partner passed away 11 years ago.

Still driving and in good physical health,
Bill lives in Lauderdale and keeps a spectacular garden and says, "As long as I'm gardening, I'm happy."

A retired biology professor, Bill taught for 31 years at St. Thomas. He would love to connect with someone who shares is love of biology or gardening, and he would enjoy going for walks and sharing a meal together.

Please contact Georgia at 612.746.0732
or at gafton@littlebrothersmn.org if you'd like to connect with Bill as a visiting volunteer.

Matches Made in Heaven
Meets Elder Day Dreams 
What's your handle?

Are you a ham radio enthusiast, or would-be enthusiast curious about this quirky radio format? Then LBFE elder and ham radio expert Johnny is just the man for you.

What started as a hobby built up over the years to the point that Johnny, by then a licensed ham-radio operator, was sought after for public service announcement spots on the AM/ FM radio dial. Just listen to his answering machine, and you'll hear why his smooth, strong voice was in demand. 

Johnny's Elder Day Dream is to get back to the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting in St. Louis Park to check out their collection of antique radio, television and broadcast equipment. While legally blind, Johnny is very mobile and gets around very well with an occasional guiding arm. He'd love to top off his visit to the museum with a spot of lunch at Applebee's.

Johnny is also hoping for a Visiting Volunteer match made in heaven. He'd especially love to ham it up with you on the radio and teach you the tricks of the trade. He lives near Loring Park in Minneapolis. Though he has a weekly reader, his mail does tend to accumulate, and it would be nice to have another reader. He would also enjoy an occasional trip to the grocery store and a bite out.
  
Please contact Georgia at 612.746.0732
or gafton@littlebrothersmn.org if you would like to fulfill Johnny's Elder Day Dream or connect with him as a visiting volunteer.
DreamsELDER DAY DREAMS
Turning Elder Dreams into Reality

Elder Day Dreams offers simple, creative one-time opportunities for volunteers to treat elders and turn simple dreams into reality.


Twins and Fall Colors Fan

Violet is a lover of country music, dancing, cards, embroidery, and the Minnesota Twins!  Though it's too late this season, she'd love to have someone take her to a Twins Game in 2016 as she hasn't been in years. In the meantime, she would really like to catch the fall colors at Como Park and take in a movie.

Nature Lovers

Mary Karen would absolutely love to go to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska and revel in the fall colors. She loves walking and plants and says both are good for her soul.  She particularly likes the arboretum because it's so educational.  She also likes the cafe because they serve delicious, nutritious food, and she'd enjoy the cozy companionship of sharing a hearty bowl of soup with you.

Kay, like Mary, is a nature lover, and she would like nothing more than to take a drive around the lakes, along the river or out in the country to see fall in all her majesty. Alternately, she'd love to visit an apple orchard with a gift shop and sip on hot cider with you.
 
A Yoga Stretch in Time Suits Sandy Fine

Sandy is a yoga aficionado motivated to improve her health through a new class called Gentle Yoga offered at the Keystone Community Center in St. Paul.  She would be thrilled to have someone benefit from the class with her and to join her for lunch or coffee afterwards.

Calling All Movie Buffs

Donna would so enjoy going to a matinee movie in Minneapolis. She doesn't mind what it is; she'd just love to get out with a friend and have fun chatting about the film over lunch afterwards.

Jack on the other hand is looking for an adventure! He'd like to go to an action-packed movie. But it won't ruffle his feathers one bit. "Laid back" is Jack's middle name. Though he uses a walker, he's pretty mobile and loves getting out-and-about around St. Paul.

Please be aware, LBFE cannot issue in-kind donation receipts to volunteers for costs associated with Elder Dreams. Thank you.
 
Please contact Georgia at 612.746.0732 or gafton@littlebrothersmn.org if you would like to fulfill any of the above Elder Day Dreams.
townOut and About Town

Thanks to volunteer Katherine Schafer, we have a wonderful Out and About Town offering for October: Shakespeare's Henry IV staged by the Ten Thousand Things Theatre Company performed at the Minneapolis Veterans' Association on October 14 at 2 p.m.

If you would like to take an elder to the play, or learn about many other Out and About Town opportunities, please contact Georgia at 612.746.0732 or at gafton@littlebrothersmn.org.
Timesheet Call to Action

Please, please help us reflect all the great work you do! Click here to complete your volunteer timesheet. Tracking your hours is absolutely essential to our funding, and we are underreporting right now.

If you haven't reported your hours in a long time, please click here to access the timesheet to catch us up. Remember travel time to and from your home to your elder's home or LBFE event should be added into the volunteer hours you record.

If you need help with your timesheet, please don't be shy, just call Georgia at 612.746.0732 or e-mail her gafton@littlebrothersmn.org. Supplying us with your hours is a very important service to the elders you care about because it strengthens our position with the funders who make our work possible. Thank you! Thank you!
  
manitenanceMaintenance Volunteer Needed 
  
Are you handy? LBFE could use a good handyperson to call on when a lightbulb needs changing, a weather-strip needs to be installed - or our 64 year old building needs some TLC.

Availability during the day on weekdays would be ideal, but we can certainly work around your schedule. Please contact Danielle at 612.746.0726 or dfehring@littlebrothersmn.org, if you think you can help us out. Our building will love you for it and so will we!

EventsVOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
October and November

To sign up for the opportunities below, please contact Georgia Afton at gafton@littlebrothersmn.org or 612.746.0732, unless otherwise noted.

OCTOBER
 
Bingo and Lunch 
Tuesday, October 13, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 
St. Olaf's Church, 215 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
 
Friendship and Flowers
Saturday, October 17, Flower pick-up 9-11 a.m.
Pick-up from:
LBFE, 1845 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
or
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 285 Dale St N, St Paul 55103
October Friendship and Flowers Signup

October Birthday Lunch
Wednesday, October 21, 1-3 p.m.
LBFE, 1845 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Cards, Crafts and Coffee 
Thursday, October 22, 9:30 -11:30 a.m. 
LBFE, 1845 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Reshaping LBFE for Tomorrow's Elders
Roundtable Discussions
Thursday, October 22, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. (light supper included)
or
Tuesday, October 27, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (lunch included) 
R.S.V.P.  to dfehring@littlebrothersmn.org or call 612.746.0726.
 
Let's Do Lunch!
A monthly social event for LGBT seniors 
Friday, October 23, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
LBFE, 1845 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Eastside Lunch
Wednesday, October 28, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. 
Elders Lodge, 1500 Magnolia Ave. E, St Paul, MN 55106  
 
Halloween Party
Thursday, October 29, 5:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
Thrivent Financial Corporate Center
625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415-1665

NOVEMBER

Path to Better Living Finale
Fun Tales of Life, Longevity and Laughter
Presenter: Brenda Elsagher
Thursday, October 5, 12:00 - 2:30 p.m.
1845 East Lake Street, Mpls. MN 55407

Ames Lake Intergenerational Event
Monday, November 9, 4:15 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Ames Lake Neighborhood Community Center
1144 Barclay Street, St. Paul, MN 55106

Bingo and Lunch at St. Olaf Catholic Church
Tuesday, November 10, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
St. Olaf Catholic Church, 215 S 8th Street,
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Lunch at Elder's Lodge
Thursday, November 12, 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
1500 Magnolia Ave. E, St Paul, MN 55106 

Birthday Lunch at the Blake School
Wednesday, November 18, 11:30 - 1:30 a.m.
The Blake School, 511 Kenwood Parkway,
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Cards, Crafts & Coffee at LBFE
 Thursday, November 19, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
1845 East Lake Street, Mpls. MN 55407

Friendship and Flowers
Saturday, November 21, Flower pick-up 9 -11 a.m.
Pick-up from:
LBFE, 1845 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
or
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 285 Dale St N, St Paul 55103

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Prom Center
Thursday, November 26 (time varies with opportunities)
The Prom Center, 484 Inwood Drive,
Oakdale, MN 55128

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ATTENTION ALL SEPTEMBER VOLUNTEERS

______________________

 

Please send in your time reports -- it's easy!

Help us accurately track and report to the community and our funders by completing your monthly time report. Here's how:

  1. Fill out your time report. To download a writable PDF of the form, click here.
  2. Save and email, or print and mail or fax (612.721.5848) to your supervisor. View email directory.

 Thank you! 

 

 FunFactElder fact 

 Did you know one of our elders has a building dedicated in his name at St. Thomas University for his contribution to the field of Economics?
  
InfoandOrientUpcoming Volunteer Information and  Orientation Sessions

 
Saturday, October 24,
9:00  - 10:45 a.m.
RSVP by October 19

or

Tuesday, October 27,
6:15 - 8.15 p.m.
RSVP by October 20
 
Sessions' Location:
 
1845 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55497
 
Please RSVP to Georgia at

612.746.0732
or

 
Learn about Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly's history, programs and what the future holds for Minnesota's older adults. As a prospective volunteer, or a current volunteer who wants to deepen your commitment, you'll gain valuable insights on working with older adults, handling various situations and our practices and policies.
Please feel free to invite friends who are curious about volunteering.
 
The sessions essential for all volunteer companions. Please join us!
 

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We post updates, pictures and volunteer opportunities. It's a great way to see what we're up to, and find ways to get involved at LBFE.

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