Happy July, LBFE Volunteers!
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Volunteer Manager Georgia Afton
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It's a busy summer here, and you'll find lots of opportunities in this issue of
Among Volunteers
to make a real difference in our elders' lives and see how much we really need your help.
Check out our appeal for drivers to bring elders to our social gatherings. Meet elders who want to connect with Visiting Volunteers. See what one elder is dreaming of in Elder Day Dreams and check out a fun Elder Day Dream opportunity with a twist. Welcome our new Friendship and Flowers - Minneapolis Ambassadors. And, of course, please don't forget to check out our upcoming events at which volunteers and their wheels 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. That said,
between July 14 and August 1, will be out of to
wn, so please direct your inquiries to Michael Haas at mhaas@littlebrothersmn.org or 612.746.0726 during that time.
Warmly, with thanks for all you do,
Georgia
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Happy Wheels = Happy Elders
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Have Wheels
Will Volunteer!
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Most of you are well aware how much our elders prize the opportunity to come out to LBFE events. Some are eligible for, and can depend on, Metro Mobility. Yet, many don't have the service and must depend on volunteer drivers to get out and about to our gatherings
.
You can help. Please, please click driving opportunities to see the list of events we need drivers for in July, August and September, and please sign up to make an an elder's day.
Lack of transportation is a huge isolating factor in our elders' lives; but you and your wheels can change that and ensure elder access to meaningful opportunities to gather with friends. Sign up here and now! Thank you!
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Evelyn
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Evelyn's Program Manager, Kelly Farrell
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Evelyn -- at 101
--
still lives in her own home on St. Paul's Eastside. She has the memory of a young person and tells marvelous stories; and, she
enjoyed a --
now novel -- successful career
as a
doll maker.
Evelyn loves to have visitors. She also loves cats, though has no pets of her own. Because she is unable to leave the house, she would enjoy
having someone come over to visit and enjoy lunch or a cup of coffee. Evelyn is a non-smoker.
Laura
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Laura's Program Manager, Christina Fairbanks
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If you'd like to reach out to Laura, please touch base with me at 612.746.0746 or
Frances
Frances lives in a care center in south Minneapolis. She is very gentle and kind-spirited. She is
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Frances' Program Manager, Chelsea Sander
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cognitively delayed and doesn't initiate conversation much, but loves to have visit
ors to keep her company. She loves going out for coffee, taking lakeside drives, playing Uno or taking trips to the store. She has no family in Minnesota; they all live in Pennsylvania. She has a smile
that
will melt your heart and just wants so
meone to call a friend. She requests a female volunteer only.
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Elder Day Dreams ...
Hamburger Lover
David gets very lonely and wishes he could get out of his Maplewood nursing more often and have just a taste of the fun he used to have.
There is one thing he always talks about when I visit him that he's absolutely longing to do: He'd love to go out for a good hamburger and a beer with someone (or a couple), who likes to have fun! It doesn't really matter where, but he used to go down the street to Bleachers Pub on Saturdays because that's when they play Bingo. His face lit up as he talked about the possibility of having his very modest Elder Daydream fulfilled. It doesn't have to be Bleachers. If you have a favorite hamburger joint he'd be thrilled to try it with you.
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.
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Elder Day Dreams with a Twist!
Here's a little help toward treating an elder to a fine dining Elder Day Dream experience: We have three gift certificates each valued at $25 to the following establishments: The Lake Elmo Inn, Crave and P.F. Changs.
Each certificate can be used toward taking an elder to lunch or dinner. The first three volunteers to contact Sandy O'Donnell will each be given a certificate. You can take an LFBE elder of your choice, or ask Sandy to match you with someone. You can reach her at sodonnell@littlebrothersmn.org 612.746.0724.
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Friendship and Flowers -- Minneapolis
New ambassadors join the coordination team
In May we reported the sad news that our beloved Iva Hawkins had to step away from her role as Lead Ambassador and Coordinator for the Minneapolis Friendship and Flowers
(F & F) effort. Simultaneously, we also put out a request to see if we could find some volunteer support to fill Iva's very large shoes.
We are delighted to let you know that in June
Alan Stokes, an LBFE volunteer of 30 years, and Jennifer Vlasaty, a regular F & F baker, teamed up to become co-leaders of the Minneapolis operation, backed by the continued outstanding support of F & F veteran Wendall Paulson.
What's more, this dynamic trio were joined by Sharon Heesch and Jim Bobzien, who stopped by to learn the ropes and lend their support. We are delighted to welcome Sharon and Jim to the team as well. In addition, Jim will also be helping out with some important behind-the-scenes work to ensure Friendship and Flowers run smoothly, which will be a tremendous help.
The Minneapolis team and Julie, Madonna and Judy in St. Paul would love to see you at Friendship and Flowers on July 16th. You can sign up and guarantee yourself a smile from one of them and in turn pass that smile along to an elder receiving Friendship and Flowers. Just sign up here to make a delivery:
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JULY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
To sign up as a volunteer event driver for driving-related opportunities below, please contact Michael Haas at
mhaas@littlebrothersmn.org or 612.746.0726, unless otherwise noted.
Bingo! Drivers Needed
Tuesday, July 12, 9.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
St. Olaf Catholic Church
215 S 8th St., Minneapolis, MN 55402
July Birthday Party - Drivers Needed
Wednesday, July 13, 11 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
LBFE, 1845 East Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Friendship and Flowers
Saturday, July 16, 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
Let's Do Lunch Cafe
A monthly social event for LGBTQ seniors, boomers and allies
Friday, July 22, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
LBFE, 1845 East Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
St. Paul Lunch
Wednesday, July 27, 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Elder's Lodge, 1500 Magnolia Ave E, St Paul, MN 55106
Cards, Crafts & Coffee
Thursday, July 28, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
LBFE, 1845 East Lake Street, Minneapolis. MN 55407
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Pride 2016
Thank yous
We so appreciate the great volunteers who braved the heat over Pride weekend to represent LBFE's place in the LGBTQ community. Thank you for helping us get the word out that there is a place where isolated, lonely LGBTQ elders are welcome and embraced.
Special thanks to:
VOLUNTEERS
Cindy Austad
Pat Cook
Greg Gardner
Mimi Houston
Jon Nordin
Brayn Pekel
BOARD MEMBERS
Genevieve Gaboriault
L J Lorentzen
Jill Sondergaard
Daniel Wood
STAFF
Christina Fairbanks
Kelly Farrell
LuAnne Speeter
Georgia Afton
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ATTENTION ALL JUNE 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! |
Volunteer Information and Orientation
Sessions
Tuesday, August 9 and Tuesday, August 30
6:15 - 7:45 p.m.
Sessions located at:
1845 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55497
Please RSVP one week in advance 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 are essential for all Volunteer Companions. Please
join us!
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Like us on Facebook!
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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