APRIL 2016

Remembering Ron Snell

Five-Star Volunteer


	Ron Snell

Dear Volunteers,

We dedicate this issue of Among Volunteers to the memory of our wonderful volunteer Ron Snell, whose recent passing is a sad blow. Ron's kind and tender presence touched LBFE elders, volunteers and staff. A dedicated friend, he drove elders to events, helped coordinate Friendship and Flowers and was a well-loved regular at Cards, Crafts and Coffee, as well as at the LGBTQ Let's Do Lunch Cafe.

Program Director Sandy O'Donnell remembers Ron as "an extra-mile kind of volunteer who generously extended his heart to ensure our elders felt loved." We will miss him greatly and extend our heartfelt condolence to his family.

Many of us learned of Ron's passing during our Easter Sunday luncheon, and we know he would have been happy to see so many elders and volunteers gathered together having such a good time. He would also have enjoyed this month's photo gallery below, which features Easter images that capture so well the spirit of LBFE volunteers like Ron and those of you who turned out to share the holiday with our elders. Thank you so much.

We also have a couple of invitations for you in this issue. We hope to see you, celebrate you and let you know how very much you are appreciated on Saturday, April 23rd at our Volunteer Appreciation Brunch. In addition, we hope you'll attend our third annual Laughing at Our Age 3 Gala on Wednesday, May 18.

Also in this issue volunteer Victoria Wise offers a lovely reflection on the spirit of Easter Sunday.

We have two great Elder Day Dreams for you as well this month.

In addition, we are hoping to find some sponsorship support toward our June and July birthday parties at the Bradford House on Lake Josephine and hoped you might know of some kind folks who can help out. See June and July birthday parties below for details.

And, of course, please don't forget to check out our upcoming events at which volunteer drivers are always welcome.

As always, if you have questions about any of our volunteer opportunities or need any support related to helping us relieve elder isolation and loneliness, please call me at 612.746.0732 or e-mail me at gafton@littlebrothersmn.org.

Volunteer Manager Georgia Afton

Warmly, with thanks for all you do,

Georgia

Easter Thank You

from Volunteer Victoria Wise

Volunteer Victoria Wise wrote to tell us how much our Easter celebration meant to her, and her words are a beautiful reflection of what LBFE is all about thanks to folks like her and you:

"I just want to thank you for putting on such a lovely event. You can see and feel how much it means to the elders you serve to be able to share a meal, conversation, and companionship. There were lots of smiles.

It means a lot to me, too. It enabled me to share with others, and made it so I didn't have to be alone either. A win/win all around.

There are two parts to service: giving and receiving. LBFE fulfills both of those missions.

Thanks for all the work you do."

You are invited ...

VOLUNTEERS WE WANT TO

CELEBRATE YOU!

DURING VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH

PLEASE JOIN US

FOR A BRUNCH IN YOUR HONOR

Saturday, April 23

9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

LBFE Community Room

1845 E Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Please RSVP to:

Georgia at 612-746-0732 or gafton@littlebrothersmn.org


	Barbara in pizza heaven!

Elder Day Dream
Double by Chelsea Sander,

Program Manager

Pizza! Pizza!

Last issue, we shared Barbara's dream of simply going out for pizza, and are delighted to share that her craving was satisfied big time thanks to volunteer Jethra Spector, who took her to Pizza Luce right by the nursing home where Barbara lives for a slice and a good visit.

Barbara's taste buds were dancing the pepperoni jitterbug, and she thoroughly enjoyed Jethra's company too. In fact, she had such a great time, that she would love to find a volunteer willing to take her out for pizza once a month. Perhaps a couple of folks might be willing to tag-team. So if you are a pizza lover too and would like to fulfill Barbara's day dream, I would love to hear from you. And, by the way, If you happen to like NCIS, Dancing with the Stars or General Hospital, you and Barbara will get along famously.

Home, Sweet Home Elder Day Dream!

I'm hoping too to find someone to fulfill Shirlee's dream, as well. At 77, Shirlee, who has seven children scattered nationwide, has always been very house proud. Recently she's moved into a new apartment, but she's having a hard time unpacking because she's in desperate need of a nice sturdy dresser for her bedroom. The one she currently has is pretty fragile and not up to the job,according to Shirlee. She would really like to get a dresser from a trusted source rather than a second-hand store, so was hoping there might be an LBFE volunteer out there with just the thing for her, who would be willing to deliver to her South Minneapolis apartment and help her set it up.


	Program Manager, Chelsea Sander

I would love to hear from you if you'd like to help fulfill either Barbara's or Shirlee's Elder Day Dream. Please contact me at 612.746.0727 or at csander@littlebrothersmn.org if you can he lp.

If you would like to offer an Elder Day Dream of your own creation to one of our elders, please contact Georgia at 612.746.0732 or gafton@littlebrothersmn.org.

Please be aware, LBFE cannot issue in-kind donation receipts to volunteers for costs associated with Elder Day Dreams. Thank you.

June and July Birthday Parties
Sponsorship Needed

Summer is on its way and that means the summer birthday season at Bradford House on Lake Josephine is fast-approaching with a promise of much joy for our elder friends. Our lakeside birthday parties are among our most-anticipated gatherings of the year. Our elders so look forward to being out in the sunshine overlooking the sparkling water. To ensure summer fun on the lake for our elders, we need sponsorship for our June 15 and July 20 festivities.

Birthday party sponsorship can include financial help with all or any of the following: food (yes, that does include birthday cake!), beverages, party supplies (plates, silverware cups, napkins, etc.) and decorations. In addition, sponsorship of Metro Mobility rides is a great help too. Party favors and small gifts for our elders are also much-appreciated.

If you'd like to help sponsor, or know a group that would be open to sponsoring our June or July lakeside birthday, please contact Georgia at 612-746-0732 or reach her via email at gafton@littlebrothersmn.org.

Kevin Kling

LBFE's 3rd annual

LAUGHING AT OUR AGE

with storyteller Kevin Kling

WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 2016
You're never too old -- or too young -- to find humor in this adventure that we call life. That's the message of Laughing at Our Age 3, Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly's special event coming up on Wednesday, May 18, at the Nicollet Island Pavilion.

This year's event features well-known playwright and storyteller Kevin Kling. A frequent guest on TPT and Minnesota Public Radio, Kevin will share his stories, both hilarious and tender, which draw from his own experiences growing up in the Twin Cities and are interwoven with the reality of his disabilities.

Tickets for Laughing at Our Age 3 are $50 each. To order tickets or reserve a table of 8 for $400, see below.

"LAUGHING

AT OUR AGE 3"

A benefit to end elder isolation in the Twin Cities

featuring Kevin Kling

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Nicollet Island Pavilion

40 Power St., Minneapolis, 55401

Hors d'oeuvres I Desserts I Cash Bar

Silent Auction I Door Prizes

Tickets: $50

RSVP:612.746.0726 or mhaas@littlebrothersmn.org

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

To sign up as a volunteer event driver for driving-related opportunities below, please contact Georgia Afton at gafton@littlebrothersmn.org or 612.746.0732, unless otherwise noted.

Friendship and Flowers

Saturday, April 16, Flower pick-up 9 -11 a.m.

Pick-up from:

LBFE, 1845 East Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 285 Dale St N, St Paul 55103

April Friendship & Flowers Sign Up

St. Paul Lunch
Wednesday, April 27, 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Elder's Lodge, 1500 Magnolia Ave E, St Paul, MN 55106

Cards, Crafts & Coffee
Thursday, April 28, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
LBFE, 1845 East Lake Street, Minneapolis. MN 55407

Let's Do Lunch Cafe

A monthly social event for LGBTQ seniors, boomers and allies

Friday, April 22, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Presentation on Senior Scams by AARP at 12:30 p.m.

LBFE, 1845 East Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407

MAY

May Birthday Party Lunch

Saturday, May 7, 12:00-2:00 p.m.

UCare, 500 Stinson Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55413

Bingo!
Tuesday, May 10, 9.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
St. Olaf Catholic Church
215 S 8th St., Minneapolis, MN 55402

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

May 21 Friendship and Flowers Sign-up

Cards, Crafts & Coffee
Thursday, April 28, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
LBFE, 1845 East Lake Street, Minneapolis. MN 55407

Let's Do Lunch Cafe

A monthly social event for LGBTQ seniors, boomers and allies

Friday, May 27, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

LBFE, 1845 East Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Easter Smiles ...

Creating a day to remember

Easter was a special day thanks to many generous volunteers, whose efforts really let our elders know they are loved and important.Our thanks to each and every one of you. Below are just a few images that capture the fun of the festivities. Enjoy!

JOIN US!

SATURDAY,

APRIL 23

9:30 - 11:30 A.M

LBFE

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BRUNCH

We want to show you how much you're valued for making a difference in the lives of isolated Twin Cities elders.

RSVP

Georgia

612.746.0732

gafton@littlebrothersmn.org

ATTENTION ALL

MARCH

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:

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

Thank you!

Did you know ...?

One of our elders invented a no-touch delivery system for herbicide-spraying that earned him a gold medallion!

Volunteer Information and Orientation Session

Saturday, April 30

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

RSVP by April 25

Session Location:

1845 East Lake Street

Minneapolis, MN 55497

Please RSVP to Georgia at

612.746.0732

gafton@littlebrothersmn.org

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 are essential for all Volunteer Companions. Please join us!

Like us on Facebook!

Please visit and join our Facebook page

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.