SENIOR MOMENTS
brought to you by
Meals on Wheels and
Senior Outreach
Services

925-937-8311

www.mowsos.org
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome New Volunteers
Words We Live By
Tributes and Memorials
Upcoming Events
AmazonSmile
Leave A Legacy
Available Resources
Poker Tournament
Poker Tournament Sponsors
A Habit of Giving
C. C. Cafés
Meals on Wheels
Friendly Visitors
Care Management
Healthy Bites
About Town
Awards and Recognition
WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS
 
Meals on Wheels

John Ballou
Wesley Boone
Shirley Clark
Raquel Coppersmith
Carrie Simkin-England
Donald Fitzmahan
Maureen Fitzmahan
Marcelina Kendall
Elaine Laderer
Paul Laderer
Suzanne Lape
Jacqueline Long
Rainsford Murray

  C. C. Cafés
 
Becky Beckelman
Marisol Guevara
Nancy Reiser
  
Friendly Visitors
 
Ethan Brick
Caitlin Catelli
Konstantin Mikhailov
Laura O'Byrne
Corrine O'Connor
Yara Pires
Van Torma
Susanna van Greunen
 
  Office Volunteers

Kathy Ames
Wanda Brooks
Katie   Ochoa
Katia   Senff
WORDS WE
LIVE BY  
 
A Note of Thanks 
Excerpt from a note to Fall Prevention Program Manager, Alayne Balke.
       
"Dear Alayne and MOWSOS Staff,"
                    
"Your Fall Prevention Program has been a Godsend to me.
       
Thank you for all the good work you do and may God bless you and yours always."
TRIBUTES AND MEMORIALS
 
Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services recently received donations in honor of:

Oscar Lottman

   Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services recently received donations
in memory of these individuals.

 Our deepest condolences to the families and friends of: 

Catherine Joann Jones
Shawn Morrissey
Louise Noroian
Maria Pires
Shahrad Selahvarz
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, February 25th
6:00pm-11:00pm
       
The Danville Grange
743 Diablo Road, Danville.
       
Help us make this a BIG success by purchasing a table filled with your friends!
Purchase tickets here.
       
~~~

 

Show your support for seniors by joining us the week of March 20-24 on a two-hour ride along to deliver meals to home bound seniors.
It will change your life.

Contact Leigh Shughrou, Public Affairs Specialist, at lshughrou@mowsos.org or
925-239-2487.
 ~~~
  
Tuesday, March 28th
1:00pm-3:00pm
       
Brentwood Senior Activity Center
193 Griffith Lane, Brentwood.
       
Refreshments will be served.
~~~ 
Save the Date
 
Annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic
 
Thursday, June 8th, 2017
1:00pm-4:00pm
           
Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek.
~~~
AmazonSmile
 
 
 
When completing your shopping on Amazon, use Amazon Smile and pick Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services as your charity of choice.  Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to our organization.
  
Make your purchases count, visit smile.amazon.com! 
Bequests
 
As a 501(c)3, we are eligible to receive bequests. 

Please contact Erica Marcus at emarcus@mowsos.org
 or 925-937-8315.  
Available Resources

 

Contra Costa County Information & Assistance

 

Contra Costa Crisis Center

~~~

  

Advisory Council on Aging

 

 Get Your Vaccinations

~~~

 

 Contra Costa Health Services Department

 

www.cchealth.org

~~~

 

Contra Costa Crisis Center

 

www.211database.org

~~~

Issue 5, Volume 2
February 2017
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Remember how you felt the last time someone unexpectedly smiled and offered a few encouraging words, or the last time you did the same for someone?  Connections improve health outcomes.  For home bound seniors, connections can become a lifeline.  That's why in the coming year, we will be focusing all of our services on creating deeper personal connections with the people we serve.
 
Loneliness and isolation can lead to depression.  Depression is a leading cause of health issues and can lead to premature death among the older population.  We have the power to reduce isolation and depression and associated health risks.  It is a big project but one we are passionate about.  So together with our nearly 1,500 volunteers we will begin to measure the health effects of our interactions with the intent of helping people live longer, more fulfilled lives.  Join us. 
 
Together we can make a difference. 

     
Sincerely,
 
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  1st Annual Poker Tournament Fundraiser
Poker Tournament Sponsors
Thank You!!

A Habit of Giving
  
Making Connections
 
Judy Canepa gets a twinkle in her eye when she talks about The Connection, a women's club in Rossmoor.  "I joined The Connection two years ago to get to know other women in Rossmoor," says Judy.  "What I discovered at the club was a community that I had been hoping to find -- a very diverse group of active women engaged in a variety of pursuits.  There were bridge players, film and theater buffs, writers and readers, mahjong players and a bevy of foodies who go out and share good talk and good food at local restaurants."
         
Maureen ORourke, Rossmoor News Editor (left) and Judy Canepa, The Connections Community Outreach Coordinator (right) provide Erica Marcus (center) with a donation.
The Connection was started in 1988.  Today there are approximately 200 members.  Judy, the current Community Outreach Coordinator, talked about the commitment of the women to give back to their community. This year, they chose to donate to Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services (MOWSOS).
         
"We were impressed with how many Rossmoor residents receive services from MOWSOS and to know that we could designate our donation to our Rossmoor neighbors," says Judy.  "And, now I understand why they call themselves "Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services," says Judy.  "I had no idea that they provide family caregiver workshops or that they match isolated seniors with dedicated Friendly Visitors. It became really clear that the investment we were making this year by donating to MOWSOS was a wise one --  and one we can be proud of."
   
For more information about investing in MOWSOS, contact Erica Marcus at emarcus@mowsos.org  or 925-937-8315.
C. C. Café
  
Thank you, Mary!
      
Mary Jaber, Site Manager for the Rodeo C.C. Café retired in January 2017 and is moving to Chicago to live with her married daughter and small grandchildren.
 
Mary started volunteering at the Rodeo C.C. Café in 1995. She was driving by the building one afternoon and noticed a sign that said "Rodeo C.C. Café."  She was making a stop at the nearby bank and asked about the Rodeo C.C. Café.  She told her husband, who was over the age of 60,  that they should try the café.
 
They both became regulars to the café and soon Mary became a volunteer.
 
In 2006, after many years of volunteering at the café, Mary became the Assistant Site Manager. And, in 2011, Mary became the Site Manager.  She has greatly increased the numbers of diners at the café.
 
When asked for a favorite memory, Mary said she couldn't name one.  "Serving the seniors at the Rodeo C.C. Café and caring for them was my way of caring for my mother," says Mary."  "I never served her a cup of coffee, but I was able to serve many seniors in need through the café."
 
The seniors at the Rodeo C.C. Café have become her family and she will miss them.
     
For more information about the C. C. Cafés Program, please contact Bonnie Paulson, C. C. Café Program Specialist, at bpaulson@mowsos.org  or 925-357-9706.
Meals on Wheels
red-table-setting.jpg
  
FedEx "Delivers"

Every year during the Christmas Holiday, local FedEx employees enjoy giving back to the communities they serve. 

"This year, we 'adopted' two children in Pleasanton," says Greg Paler, FedEx Operations Manager, "but we wanted to do more."

Greg and his Pleasanton crew wanted to donate to a
non-profit organization that cared for and looked after people every day and not just during the holidays. 

"In our search, we came across Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services and the decision was made," says Greg.

Wintertime holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah are often rainy and cold, making it extremely difficult for seniors to navigate.  Many don't have every day comfort items that so many of us take for granted. 
 
"The FedEx Care Packages were a wonderful and caring gift for the needy seniors who received them -- full of essential items that they likely needed," say Elaine Clark, MOWSOS Chief Executive Officer.  "We are very grateful for this kind gesture."
 
For more information about the Meals on Wheels Program, contact Nancy Raniere at nraniere@mowsos.org  or
925-937-8607.
Fall Prevention
  
   A Grateful Veteran Client
 
 
Frances, a WWII Veteran and MOWSOS Fall Prevention client, was thrilled to receive his Walmart Gift Cards on behalf of Contra Crisis Center and Bay Area News Group's "Share the Spirit" grant.  MOWSOS applied for a $5,000 grant to provide $100 gift cards to 50 of its veteran clients.  The grant was awarded and the gift cards were delivered throughout December and January. 
  
"I enlisted at the age of 17," recalls Frances.  "I was a Marine and served in Japan and Korea between 1952 and 1956." 

Today Frances would rather talk about his black bantam chickens than his service. The chickens wander the backyard in their coup and are bothered by all the neighborhood cats.

Frances worked in construction after his time in the Marines and purchased his Richmond home for $16,500, he brags, 25 years ago.  It is his sanctuary.  "And, it's paid for, he says." 

"It was great to meet Frances," says Alayne Balke, Fall Prevention Program Manager.  "In addition to delivering the $100 Gift Card, our team was able to install a wood railing on his first to second floor stairs and a stair railing for the steps going out to his backyard."
 
"I'm very grateful to the folks at Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services," says Frances.  "I want to stay in my home and be safe.  My stairs are very steep so the rails really ease my anxiety of falling."

For more information about the Fall Prevention Program, contact Alayne Balke, Fall Prevention Program Manager at  abalke@mowsos.org  or 925-891-4761.
 Friendly Visitors

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30 Years of Naval Service -- A Gateway to the World


"I loved flying, and I loved serving in the Navy," says Dominic.  "There were definitely some sad moments, but I was doing what I loved, and doing it for my country."

Dominic and his lovely wife, Florence, raised five children in their 65 years of marriage.  "We have three boys and two girls and we moved every two years," says Florence, "but we all enjoyed meeting new families along the way."  Dominic's final tour orders in 1969 brought the family to the Bay Area and they've resided here since.
Florence and Dominic Diamatteo

Dominic suffered a stroke 5 years ago and has slight speech and cognitive impairments as a result.  "We keep a good eye on him," says Florence, "and his MOWSOS Friendly Visitor, Rich Jules, has been a dream come true."  Rich takes him to lunch and plays bocce ball with him.  Dominic really enjoys his weekly visits and it provides us some respite." 
   
Today, the family continues to keep close ties with many of the Naval families they met over the years.  And, they have expanded those military ties -- all three sons joined the Navy as pilots.
 
"Dominic's career in the Navy, as well as our sons', make the whole family very proud," says Florence."  "For Dominic, serving in the military is what makes him the proudest. "
 
"I saw the whole world," says Dominic, "and I got to fly planes.  What more could I ask for?" 
 
For more information about the Friendly Visitors Program, please contact Cynthia Black at cblack@mowsos.org or
925-239-2484.
 Healthy Bites

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10 Superfoods for Spring
 
These science-backed foods will boost your mood, energy, metabolism, and memory.
 
Read this article by Betsy Stephens of Health.com to find ways to learn about the new "food movement"-- eating well to look, feel, and perform your best!
 
Click the photo to read the story and discover Spring's superfoods.
 About Town

Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa (MOWCC) and Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services (MOWSOS) celebrate 5 Million Meals with the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. Pictured from left to right:  Elaine Clark, CEO, MOWSOS; Federal Glover, District V Supervisor; Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor; Jackie Winfield, Assistant Director, Contra Costa County Senior Nutrition Program; Karen Mitchoff, District II Supervisor; Gail Garrett, Member at Large, MOWCC; Candace Andersen, District IV Supervisor; John Gioia, District I Supervisor; Laura Cepoi, Director, Area Agency on Aging.
Photo taken by MOWSOS Board Member, Emily Hopkins, during her trip to Africa.  Emily was the winning bidder of the African Safari Adventure at the 2016 Shrimp Dinner.  Maasai Mara Reserve, Kenya, Africa.
Meals on Wheels client, Doug, receives a $100 Walgreens Gift Card as part of the "Share the Spirit" grant for veterans.

Meals on Wheels client, David, receives a $100 Safeway Gift Card as part of the "Share the Spirit" grant for veterans.                           
Awards and Recognition




If you have suggestions for our newsletter or would like to contribute a quote, photo, or story, please contact:
Leigh Shughrou
Public Affairs Specialist
Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services
925-937-8311 x104
lshughrou@mowsos.org

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  
 

1300 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
925-937-8311  mowsos.org