June 2017
Summer Celebration

Summer Celebration! 
Elder Friends and their Visiting Volunteers came together on June 17 to kick off summer with a delicious LBFE Barbecue! The Community Room was transformed into a day at the beach with sand bucket centerpieces, live music, bubbles, kazoos and tropical fish decorations. Guests enjoyed ribs and chicken with all the fixin's, fished for prizes in the "fish pond" and had a photo taken together, which each Elder Friend and Visiting Volunteer then took home to remember this very special day.

We would not have been able to host our Summer Celebration without the help of a very dedicated team of LBFE volunteers who helped with set-up, greeting and hosting. Thank you -- you're the best! 
Share your love for elders at 
National Night Out!

National Night Out is Tuesday, August 1. Is your block holding a party? If so, please join our Neighbor-to-Neighbor campaign and introduce your block to Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly. You just may have a neighbor or two who would love to become a Visiting Volunteer and brighten the life of an isolated elder living nearby. Or, there's a good chance your neighbors may know of a lonely elder who would benefit from the joy that a Visiting Volunteer brings.

As you grab your plate of brownies to share at your block party, bring along your LBFE Neighbor-to-Neighbor Toolkit, too! Each Toolkit includes:
  • A packet of LBFE Visiting Volunteer services brochures
  • A talking-points "cheat sheet" with answers to commonly asked questions
  • A FREE LBFE T-shirt to wear

Order your FREE Neighbor-to-Neighbor Toolkit today! Please include the location of your block party and your T-shirt size in your reply. Your participation will help turn your block into a neighborhood where no elder is alone in life, and every elder is valued and loved!


 

To register your block for a National Night Out celebration, visit your city's website.
Thanksgiving 2016
Thanksgiving in June?  You betcha! 

We are looking for a detail-oriented, computer- savvy volunteer who loves to organize. 

You'll lead a team of volunteers in the coordination of both the Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve meals for our elders. In addition you'll monitor the volunteer sign-up process, communicate with volunteers regarding assignments and match volunteer drivers to elders or a home-delivered meal route. 

If this sounds like you, please contact  Ann Fosco  or call 612.746.0725 for more information.
Behind-the-Scenes Volunteering with Friendship and Flowers

Many elders living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities have very few visitors or opportunities for social engagement. However, we all know that the power of a social visit can make an everlasting difference in an elder's life. 

If you are more behind-the-scenes than visitor, but would still like to make a difference in our elders' lives, we have the perfect volunteer opportunity for you: helping coordinate the logistics for Friendship and Flowers deliveries. Your leadership role will help ensure no homebound elder feels alone or forgotten. 
To learn more about becoming a part of the F&F team, please email Ann Fosco or call 612.746.0725.
Nick and Dianne
Say "Cheese!"
Your LBFE story demonstrates to our community that meaningful, personal relationships help elders feel less isolated and less lonely while instilling a greater sense of belonging. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words!  Next time you're with your Elder Friend, snap a selfie, click the "Share a Story" button below, share your thoughts, attach the photo and send.

Nick VanderVegte has been delivering LBFE Friendship and Flowers to elders in our community for four years. Here he is, putting a smile a Dianne's face during his monthly visit with her at Cerenity Care. Nick says Dianne was very excited about receiving her homemade cookies and fresh cut flowers. Thanks for all you do, Nick! 
Volunteer Enrichment Opportunity: 
Dementia Friends Information Session--Lunch 'n Learn

Wednesday, June 28, 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm
Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly
1845 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Learn what it's like to live with dementia, as well as the small but impactful ways you can help make life easier for those affected and their caregivers.   

Presented by Jewish Family Service of St Paul in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society. 
A light lunch will be served. 
Submit Your Elder Engagement Report Every Time!

Submitting your online Volunteer/Elder Engagement Report is critical every time you volunteer! Help support your elder by reporting on his or her well-being, demonstrate the impact of your visits and capture your time contributions all at the same time. This information will help us build the capacity to serve more elders in the next fiscal year.

I t's very easy to access the online report. Go to our website ; click the Report button; enter the password: lbfe; complete the form; hit the Submit Form button. Questions? Email Ann Fosco or call   612.746.0725. Thank you! 
What's Wrong with "Sweetie?"
When age is the defining feature, our personality, beliefs and individuality are replaced with stereotypes of incompetence, debilitation and dependency. This leads to one of the most damaging of the discriminating behaviors of ageism--we start treating older adults like children.