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JULY 2016
Happy July, LBFE Volunteers! 

Volunteer Manager Georgia Afton
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
Drivers
Happy Wheels = Happy Elders

Have Wheels
Will Volunteer!
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!

VisitingVolsThe Word Is Out
Visiting Volunteers Needed! 

Evelyn
 
Evelyn's  Program Manager, Kelly Farrell
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.  

Please reach me at 612.746.0755  or at kfarrell@littlebrothersmn.org if you'd like to meet Evelyn .

Laura

Laura's Program Manager, Christina Fairbanks


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
Frances'  Program Manager,  Chelsea Sander
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.
 
I would love to hear from you if you'd like to connect with Frances. Please contact me  at  612.746.0727 or at  csander@littlebrothersmn.org.
ElderDayDreamsElder 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.
DreamTwistElder 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. 
ambassadorsFriendship 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:
VolunteerOpportunitiesJULY 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

Find us on Facebook

 
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
















 

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:

  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! 

 

InfoandOrientVolunteer 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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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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