Supporting our Non Profits
October 2021
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Lafayette Chamber Announcements |
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5k, 10k, 2mile fun run/walk will be held Sunday, October 24, 2021.
Reservoir Challenge runs October 13-23.
We still have a handful of non profit vendor booth spaces available during the Res Run's Healthy Lifestyles Fair, if you are interested please contact Sara.
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Upcoming Chamber Events include:
Lafayette Chamber Connectors
"Coffee" with City of Lafayette Mayor Susan Candell
Mayor Candell will provides updates on:
- ARPA funding and the surveys for both businesses and the community in regards to spending the $6.3M the City of Lafayette has received;
- State Laws around Housing and Constitutional Amendment Initiative;
- Mission Statement Update.
Speed Networking with Blitzr!
Join Lafayette Chamber Members online for Blitzr Speed Networking - Tuesday, November 9, 12:15pm-1pm. Five one-on-one conversations for five minutes each! Please take 5 minutes to setup your account now by selecting your preferred date. Registration is required to participate in this free event open to Lafayette Chamber members and their guests.
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Of special interest to our non profit members:
Fundamentals of Financial Wellbeing
Hosted by Center for Excellence in Nonprofits and Presented by MassMutual: Gian Panetta, Matthew Sagers, Kim Smith, & Samantha Sagers-Davenport
Having clear financial goals are the foundation of a person's financial well-being, especially during times of uncertainty. This no-cost educational workshop will leave you with a better understanding of financial opportunities/strategies - at all income levels - and will provide suggestions to help you set financial goals. This interactive workshop will address top concerns such as income, savings, retirement, and debt and provides ample time for participant questions.
This program is open to the public and has a special focus on addressing the unique concerns of nonprofit sector employees and individuals seeking to deepen their personal financial knowledge and education. Click here to register.
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Become a lifetime Friend of the Chamber
A Friend of the Chamber membership provides a way for community members to support the efforts of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. We are 74 years strong and our mission continues “To promote and maintain a healthy business climate and to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Lafayette.”
All aspects that make up a community are important to us: schools, residents, churches and synagogues, community organizations, activities, and the city government. Chamber members work with representatives of all these groups for the betterment of our community. A lifetime Friend of the Chamber membership is $150 per family. Learn more here>>
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October Events from our Non Profit Members & Partners |
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This month our nonprofit members are listed by the date of their next event! Have an event to share with our community? Add it to our Community Calendar! |
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OLLI @Berkeley Fall Speaker Series: Climate Change
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Lafayette Community Foundation Presents 12th Annual Virtual Senior Symposium
Saturday, October 2, 2021, Online via Zoom
Admission is FREE, Click here to register.
Attention Seniors and Senior Caregivers! Don’t miss out on getting the latest information for seniors at our no-cost Senior Symposium on October 2, introduced by Mayor Candell and generously sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, MCE, John Muir Health and Diablo Foods.
Register now to secure your virtual seat at the table, as our expert panelists discuss:
- Critical fire prevention tips every senior needs to know right now
- Ways seniors can cope with emotional stress during uncertain times
- The local and global impact of Covid on seniors and where we go from here
- Recognizing the signs of elder abuse and what to do if you’re experiencing abuse
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Are you ready to Rock (for SHELTER)?
Join SHELTER, Inc. for the Rock for SHELTER benefit concert on Sunday, October 3, at Village 360, located at BackRoad Vines in Fairfield! We’ll have live music all afternoon, along with small bites and refreshments available for purchase. Donations of $20 are suggested, and they’ll be accepted at the door and online.
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Lafayette Juniors
Lafayette Juniors is a non-profit organization made up of local women dedicated to raising funds and offering service in support of other non-profits in need within the San Francisco bay area. We are proud to announce our 2021/2022 beneficiaries: White Pony Express, Futures Explored and Lamorinda Village.
If anyone is interested in learning about becoming a member, they can reach out here: https://www.lafayettejuniors.org/connect. Our next meeting is Thursday, October 7, 7:00pm. Lafayette Juniors is excited to focus on community service and fundraising this fall. |
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Las Trampas Virtual Tour
It is our pleasure to share once again this month the exciting changes on our campus with you, our loyal supporters!
Join us on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 3pm
Our guest this month will be Dan Hogue, Executive Director at Las Trampas. Our special co-host this month will be Mike Collier, Las Trampas Board President!
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Celebrate 40 Years of CASA's Child Advocacy
This year marks a major milestone in the history of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. For the last 40 years, our volunteers have helped thousands of abused and neglected children to find permanent homes, meet their educational goals, and to thrive as they grow into adulthood. Our children have better outcomes than foster children without a CASA volunteer on every measure, including finding permanent placements, high school graduation rates, post-secondary education, employment, and housing.
Join us for a very special night to support children in foster care currently served by CASA of Contra Costa County and help us make a big difference in their lives. Saturday, October 9, 6pm-7pm.
Dan Ashley, ABC News Anchor, and CASA Board Member will host and emcee the event. Live and Silent Auction items include vacation destinations, wine for every taste, family events, and much more. Register for free: https://virtualgala.events/EOP2021.
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The Seven Hills School
The Seven Hills School is pleased to offer both virtual information sessions and on-campus tours options for prospective parents to learn more about our whole-child educational philosophy and the community of The Seven Hills School. A Seven Hills education is based on the whole child philosophy, as we educate not just the mind but the heart, and attend to the entirety of the student experience. From our Reggio-inspired Preschool and developmental Kindergarten to our adventurous Lower School classes and rigorous Middle School program, Seven Hills students are on a journey of curiosity and exploration, success and setbacks, awareness of self, and contribution to others. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters compassionate students who shape a more equitable and sustainable world. To learn more or register for an admissions event, please visit our website.
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Lafayette Homeowners Council Annual Meeting
The Lafayette Homeowners Council’s Annual Meeting will be Thursday, October 14, starting at 7:00pm. The meeting will be conducted online via Zoom due to covid19 issues. Go to the LHC’s website as shown below. All Lafayette residents are urged to attend to attend.
We're pleased to have two guest speakers to address many current issues, in particular housing and a couple of the bills recently signed in Sacramento plus the GPAC work regarding Lafayette’s General Plan. Each presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.
Our first guest speak will be Lafayette’s City Manager Niroop Srivatsa who will present and update us on the General Plan revision underway, its impacts on zoning, traffic congestion and circulation, as well as an update on major development projects happening within Lafayette.
Our Annual Meeting's second guest speaker will be Mayor Susan Candell, who will provide an evaluation of the financial state of the City and a review of the impact of recent legislation on growth management that may affect our City.
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Lamorinda CERT
An email from a happy neighborhood block captain:
“Initially when I let the neighborhood know about the water storage containers, I received only two small orders. Then two days ago, at 8 am, a water main blew, flooding our street and forcing EBMUD to shut off our water. Our neighborhood was abruptly without water. Predicted to be off for up to 24 hours. No morning coffee, no showers, no toilet flushes, no drinking water, completely dry taps . . . omg. Suddenly the emails came in asking about water containers. I just ordered stacker sets for 8 households. Incredible timing! Hey Lamorinda CERT. Thanks for being there for us!”
Hurricane Harvey shows us all that nature can create widespread disaster. With a hurricane there is notice so people can leave the area but many remain. An earthquake provides no notice. We’re stuck where we are and the damage can be severe. The highly active Hayward Fault is our dominate risk. This fault, capable of earthquakes of M7.25, has produced major earthquakes on average every 140 years, with the last damaging earthquake occurring in 1868. We’re now 10 years beyond average occurrence.
Lamorinda Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is again helping Lamorinda residents get prepared for a major disaster. To date we have distributed over 21,000 low cost water drums within the area. That’s a good start but many of you still don’t have the water you need if an earthquake or old pipes breaks the water distribution system. EBMUD says that they expect to have most residential service restored within a month of a major quake. To be prepared, you need at least 1 gallon of potable water and 1 gallon of sanitation water per person per day. That’s 14 gallons per person per week.
The Lamorinda CERT Foundation will be making a large purchase of emergency household water supply drums and Lamorinda residents are invited to participate in the bulk order. We have three sizes of drums available. The smallest ones are 2.5 gallon Samson Stackers. They’re easy to handle and interlock so you can stack them several high. They only weigh 22 pounds when full. The medium size is 5 gallons. They hold enough water for one person for 2.5 days. They weigh about 44 pounds when full. The large drums hold 55 gallons and will provide enough water for one person for a month or a family of four for a week. They weigh 465 pounds when full.
If you are interested in taking advantage of this great opportunity to purchase 2.5, 5 or 55 gallon drums for water storage along with drum wrenches and pumps, area residents can place an order through CERT at http://supplies.lamorindacert.org. Details, prices and photos can be found on this site. We have a one-click ordering system for complete packages and additional drums can be added easily for additional family members.
The drum pickup will be in Moraga on Friday afternoon, October 15 and Saturday morning, October 16.
When water is stored properly in these blue FDA approved drums, it can last for years and be a life-saving resource in case of earthquake or other disaster. This could be the best investment in your family’s safety you will ever make!
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511 Contra Costa's Free Classes: Bike Commuting Basics & Street Riding Safety
Learn skills and gain confidence for safer biking on city streets. Learn the rules of the road to become a safer cyclist (and driver).
This free online class will include tips and techniques for using your bicycle confidently for everyday trips, errand-running, and commuting to work or school. The instructor will demonstrate simple bike adjustments for safety and comfort, basic handling skills for confident starting, stopping, turning, and riding, and easy ways to remember where to ride on the street between and through intersections. You’ll learn how to take your bike on BART and use transit bus bike racks, and hear about other local resources for in-person and on-bike learning and practice. Presentations are led by a certified League of American Bicyclists instructor.
One participant will be randomly selected to win a $20 Amazon gift card at the end of each class. Must be present to win. Learn more and register here for either Wednesday, October 20, 6:30pm or Saturday, October 23, 10am: https://511contracosta.org/biking/#classes. |
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Backpacks for Afghan Refugees
MVPC has be awaiting direction on how to support the Afghan refugees who are being resettled in the Bay Area. We are working with the IRC (International Rescue Committee), who is one of the two authorized agencies who are tasked in resettling the refugees. We have been asked to put together 50 backpacks with school supplies for the Afghan children who will be starting school. The backpack drive will be held through October 22.
Here are the details on what is needed below. Please stick to the lists provided as uniformity is needed. Only newly purchased backpacks and supplies please. Two types of backpacks are needed: for elementary school age and for middle / high school aged children.
Elementary school age backpacks should have packed inside them: pack of markers, pack of colored pencils, pack of pencils, erasers, small pencil sharpener, lined notebook paper, notebook, ruler, yellow highlighter, pens, child scissors, construction paper, index cards, (optional: lunch bag, water bottle, stickers or small toy). Please also include a note of welcome and support to the recipient.
Middle / High school aged backpacks should have packed into them: pack of pencils, erasers, pens, yellow highlighter, sharpie, ruler, index cards, 1-3 paper notebooks, paper folders to store papers, scissors, tape (optional: lunch bag, water bottle, small toy). Please include a note of welcome and support to the recipient.
We will collect the backpacks in the MVPC Church office through October 22, 2021 at 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga, CA. Collection will also take place at the Lafayette Chamber offices, 251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150.
If you need more information or have any questions, please contact: [email protected].
Thank you for supporting our new Afghan neighbors and sending them Love From Lamorinda.
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Friends Corner Book Shop
The shop will be open extra hours - 9am to 5pm - and everything is 50% off!
Regular hours:
M, T, Th: 10AM-6PM
W: 10AM-8PM
F: 10AM-5PM
S: 9AM-1PM
Su: Closed
New volunteers are also welcome! Average time commitment is two hours per week. Express your interest to [email protected].
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Walk to End Alzheimer’s is happening in the East Bay on October 23, 2021
Join us for our local event on Saturday, October 23 at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon or Walk From Home in your own neighborhood. No matter where you participate, know that your health and safety are our top priorities. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities. The money we raise makes a difference in the lives of those facing Alzheimer's and all other forms of dementia. The Walk to End Alzheimer's® is the world's largest fundraiser to fight the disease and fuel the Association's mission. The Alzheimer's Association is a global organization, working to advance care, support and research across the world. Take the next step in the fight, vist: http://act.alz.org/eastbay2021.
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Sustainable Contra Costa
Green Sofa Cinema - Discussion of "Vertical Farming"
Wednesday, October 27, 7:00 p.m.
What if we could grow food indoors, vertically and more sustainably, avoiding extreme weather, using less water and substituting soil for liquid nutrients? We can! It’s called vertical farming, and it’s gaining traction in urban centers like the Bay Area as an innovative tool to combat climate change. The monthly Green Sofa Cinema Series explores the promise of vertical farming via Zoom with a discussion of the film “Vertical Farms” and an interactive chat with award-winning chef/teacher/activist Cindy Gershen, a local vertical farming expert, creator of Mt. Diablo High School’s Sustainable Hospitality Program and founder of Walnut Creek’s Sunrise Bistro restaurant.
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Bay Area Crisis Nursery's Spooktacular Drive Thru BBQ
Saturday, October 30, 2021, 4pm–6pm, 1510 Mendocino Dr, Concord
The Bay Area Crisis Nursery is kicking off the holiday season with a Spooktacular Drive Thru BBQ event! The holiday season is a time filled with giving thanks and giving back. It’s a spectacular time around the Nursery.
Join us for a drive thru BBQ event the day before Halloween! You’ll get to virtually meet some of the families who have benefitted from Nursery services over the past year and learn how you can support BACN’s clients during the holiday season.
Tickets are $40 which includes a $20 donation to the Nursery. Choose your pickup time when purchasing your tickets. Time slots are limited, purchase early! Register before Oct 23.
We are also selling discount cards for $15 each. You can pick them up with your meal, or we can ship yours to you. Discount cards offer up to 20% off local merchants. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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Lafayette Community Foundation's Under a Harvest Moon
Saturday, October 30, 5pm, Lafayette Library
Join the Lafayette Community Foundation for an alfresco evening featuring exceptional wines from the Lamorinda American Viticulture Area (AVA), expertly paired with your appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Enjoy a special preview of plans for Lafayette’s new tasting room “Local Vines” featuring Lamorinda wines, plus cabaret entertainment from Town Hall Theatre actors, live auction, live music, and dancing under the stars to classic rock band Other People’s Money. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required. Tickets are $150 per person. Register here.
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Announcements from our Non Profit Members |
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Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s Operation School Bell Partners with Fehr & Peers
Since 1994, Operation School Bell®, Assistance League’s nationally acclaimed philanthropic program, has provided clothing and shoes to local elementary schoolchildren to improve attendance, campus citizenship and academic performance. Since 2006, Assistance League of Diablo Valley has enjoyed a Corporate Partnerships component, where employee volunteers from local businesses and corporations become hands-on involved with several of our philanthropic programs.
On September 27, five employee volunteers from Fehr & Peers, world known transportation specialists with an office located in Walnut Creek, made yet another return visit to Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s Annex. While there, they continued its mission of improving underserved communities that include low-income, minority, and limited-English-proficiency populations, as well as seniors, children, and persons with disabilities by supporting nonprofit organizations.
Assistance League® of Diablo Valley Corporate Partners Chairman Linda Mercer greeted the enthusiastic employee volunteers with a brief overview as to how their hands-on support with Operation School Bell furthers a successful school experience for children. She added that schoolchildren from Meadow Homes Elementary School in Concord, a uniform school in MDUSD, look forward to excelling in the academic arena. GO ROAD RUNNERS!
In a mere two hours’ time, all involved had placed six pairs of socks, six pairs of underwear, a sweatshirt, two pairs of pants for the boys or one pair of pants and one pair of shorts, one pair of pants and one skort (upon request) for the girls, and three white, collared shirts—all into large, reusable blue bags. Together, Assistance League of Diablo Valley and Fehr & Peers improved lives in the community by putting “Caring and Commitment into Action.” When two community-minded organization work in partnership, EVERYBODY WINS!
To learn about all of Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s philanthropic programs, please visit this website: assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley. You may also access information about Corporate Partners, by clicking on its button located on the upper left corner of the website.
Photo: Assistance League of Diablo Valley Corporate Partners Chairman Linda Mercer and Operation School Bell Clothing Chairman Susan Angle greet Fehr & Peers employee volunteers F&P Team Leader Kelsey Kiley, Sarah Kistler, Ryan McClain, Grace Chen and Cody Lin for bagging clothes for identified students at Meadow Homes Elementary School in Concord.
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Bay Area Rescue Mission
Let us all be part of the solution.
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Volunteer: see your impact first-hand
- Donate: Food, Clothing at 123 Macdonald Ave, Richmond, CA
- Donate Financially
- Or take a tour with Dean Hollenbeck. Direct: 510.215.4876, Cell: 925.595.1716 and see what YOU can do!
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BeingwellCA
BeingwellCA was founded to give voice to the youth who suffer in silence with anxiety, depression and suicide ideation. Two powerful advocates combined their strengths to provide HOPE to the whole family of those struggling with mental health issues which affect 1 in 4 people. Established in June 2019, BeingwellCA delivers programs, workshops and speaker series that address the three legs of mental health support: parents, educators and students. All three support systems are needed to provide a stable base to build upon basis for suffering youth to flourish again.
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Cancer Support Community SF Bay Area
Thank you for making our first-ever Film Festival Charity Gala a success!
Despite some internet issues, the evening was still full of touching short films, inspiring stories from our members, and of course the generosity of our wonderful community. Our biggest event of the year raised just over $300,000! These funds will support vital programs for cancer patients and their families confronting the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
Congratulations to filmmaker Lizzy Hogenson for winning the Judges’ Choice award for her film Dani. This film brings a conversation to life that many in our community have experienced first-hand. We are so honored to be able to share it with you.
Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor Exelixis and Platinum Sponsor John Muir Health, all of our generous Gold, Silver, and Bronze Sponsors, Community Partners, individual donors, filmmakers, and judges who brought this great event to life!
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Creekside Commons
Creekside Commons is an event and share space tucked among the oak trees in beautiful Lafayette, CA. This retreat-like setting serves as home to a variety of nonprofits, an active congregation, and a wide array of community groups. Rooms and outdoor spaces are available for celebrations, conferences, meetings, concerts, lectures, and even office space. It is the perfect venue for your next event. There is ample free parking, just minutes away from BART, and walking distance from the Lafayette Park Hotel and Spa. Explore our many room and price options. www.creeksidecommons.org or contact Kari Speltz: [email protected] or 925-283-3724
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Early Diagnosis Foundation - Many Businesses Require Proof of Vaccinations & Masks Too!
Contra Costa Health Services is requiring proof of vaccination to enter certain businesses such as restaurants, bars, gyms and more. But we still need to wear masks to enter buildings and take every precaution available. EDF offers three mask designs and one smaller version for children which can be purchased individually or in convenient vinyl kits in which you can tuck your proof of vaccination card.
Here is some much needed information from CCHS about how to show proof of vaccination as we travel through these uncharted waters:
Please join us in our effort to keep friends and family safe and carry kits with hand sanitizer gel, sanitizer wipes, adjustable lanyard, EDF chapstick, EDF no touch stylus pen and your mask of choice all for only $15.
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Featured October Volunteer Needs from Hope Solutions
Spirit of Giving Program 2021: It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Hope Solutions is preparing for another successful season of Spirit of Giving. We need YOUR help to make this holiday season a memorable for the families in our program. Family profiles and wish lists will be provided to donors to ensure each child and adult receives something special for the holidays. If you would like to sponsor a family, or more, this year, please contact Conor Boyle by October 20th at [email protected].
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After-School Program Volunteers Needed: We are looking for patient and compassionate volunteers to provide academic support and mentoring for the children in our after-school program:
- We ask volunteers to commit to one afternoon per week (Monday-Thursday) through May at one of our four sites: Pleasant Hill, Concord, Pittsburg, or Bay Point
- Friday Enrichment Programming at our Concord and Pittsburg sites (details below)
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Friday Fun Days: Hope Solutions Enrichment Programs at Lakeside Apartments (Concord) and Los Medanos Village (Pittsburg) bring fun activities to the children every Friday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, on site. We are looking for volunteers who are interested in sharing a skill, talent, or activity with the children in our programs.
To see a full list of October Volunteer Opportunities click here.
If you have any questions about after-school programming, including After School volunteer tutor, Friday Fun Days, or any of our volunteer opportunities, please contact Suzanne Martin at [email protected] or call (925) 944-2247.
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John Muir Land Trust
COMING SOON: A New Gateway to Nature
Last week John Muir Land Trust announced one of the most consequential campaigns in its 30 year history. Protecting 143-acre Harvey Ranch in Lamorinda will open a wilderness adventure to nature lovers of all ages and abilities, while protecting wildlife habitat from residential encroachment. Short walks will be rewarded with stunning views. Hikers desiring a strenuous excursion will explore miles of trails in diverse terrain. Equestrians will discover excellent ranch roads used for over a century. Learn more about this unprecedented conservation opportunity here.
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Lend a Hand to the Lafayette Historical Society
All of us, at some time or another, have probably wandered past the Lafayette Historical Society, located on the ground floor of the Library on Golden Gate Way. And some, during “non-COVID times” may have even visited the Society’s archives and history room and learned something they didn’t know about Lafayette’s past.
And who knew that the Society also maintains operates the City’s very first fire engine? Old Betsy as she is known, is a 1919 Model TT Fire Engine. Yes, that’s Old Betsy in the Library’s parking garage window.
The Society raises operating funds by a combination of its membership dues, newsletter sponsorships, book sales, the not-to-be-miss “Breakfast with Santa” event, and through the popular “Speaker Series.” Due to the COVID pandemic, the Society’s history room has been closed and the Speaker Series canceled. It also appears that the “Breakfast with Santa” will also have to be postponed this year. All that is our way of saying that the Society really could use the community’s help right now. If you have a chance, take a look around the Society’s Website where you can listen to a collection of oral histories from many notables Lafayettans, including Bill Eames, Larry Blodgett, Ed Stokes, Steve Falk, Jon Frank, and Jack Marchant. And, if there’s anybody who knows how to work on a Model T, or knows how to drive one, the Society could sure use your help with Old Betsy. Visit the Society’s membership page now to find out how you can become an active member of this esteemed local gem. You can also call (925) 283-1848, or email Mary McCosker, LHS’s President, at [email protected].
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Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation
Lafayette Library programs are only possible thanks to our generous donors. If you value great storytelling and believe in the power of Library’s to inspire, enrich and change lives, please consider making a gift today. Your support ensures we can continue to offer meaningful programs throughout the year. Many past events are available to watch anytime on the Lafayette Library YouTube channel. You’ll be inspired, informed and entertained! http://www.LLLCF.org
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Lafayette Recreation Session 2 Fall Programs
Session 2 Fall Programs are starting soon! Programs include Skyhawks Sports, Dog Obedience, Yoga, Line Dance and more. Holiday Break camps and special events are also in store. For more info and to register visit www.LafayetteRec.org or call 925-284-2232. |
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Lafayette Rotary Club
Join the Lafayette Rotary at their weekly meetings on Thursdays! Every Thursday from 12:15 – 1:30 pm. Each week we feature a different guest speaker in addition to regular club business. Guests are always welcome! If you are interested in checking us out, email [email protected] for more info.
We hope to be in-person soon, but in the meantime- join our Zoom meeting!
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Lafayette War Veterans, Inc. - Lafayette Veterans Memorial Building
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Can you help a Lamorinda neighbor?
The Lamorinda Spirit Van is looking for volunteer drivers to take older adults to appointments, errands, and shopping.
You know how important it is for your older parents and grandparents to get to medical and personal appointments, grocery shopping, and errands. The Lamorinda Spirit Senior Transportation Program needs volunteer drivers to help out by providing rides every week or two for Lamorinda older adults, age 60+. If you are age 25 to 75, have a good driving record, and a free morning, afternoon, or mid-day availability, please email [email protected] for more information.
If you would like to reserve a ride on the Spirit Van or want to learn about utilizing GoGoGrandparent, an Uber/Lyft service that doesn’t require a smart phone, please email [email protected] or call 925-283-3534.
Last, but not least, you may want to consider making a tax-deductible donation made payable to the City of Lafayette (Write Lamorinda Spirit on the memo line.) and mailed to: Lamorinda Spirit, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Road, Lafayette, CA 94549. Community support keeps this program going.
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Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club
October 2021 Weekly Speakers:
1: Don Jenkins, The Quarterly Big Picture
8: Randy Bennett, SMC Basketball Head Coach
15: Martha Laham, DVC Professor and Author of “Made Up”
22: Sofia Marino, Exploration in a Nevada Gold Mine
29: Member Magazine
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Sometimes it Takes a Village
Lamorinda Village is a membership organization of like-minded senior residents who are dedicated to building a community that engages and empowers its members to thrive as they age. Established in 2015, we support our members with innovative ways to live well and safely in their homes. Led by a dynamic group of long-standing residents of the community and a committed team of volunteers, we offer:
- Wide variety of local social activities and events
- Educational presentations often with recognized experts in their field
- Essential services provided by volunteers or vetted vendors.
Our volunteers are the foundation of Lamorinda Village. We always welcome individuals from the community who are interested in helping our older neighbors with your time and expertise.
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The Live Like Leo Foundation
The Live Like Leo Foundation is intended to harness rich global experiences and bring them to students who do not have such access. We believe through opening societal borders and bringing the best of educational programs from around the globe, we can raise awareness to the underexposed and in turn breed a more connected world.
The Live Like Leo Foundation draws its inspiration from young Leo Cellura who’s life was cut short in a tragic accident. Leo's global experiences over his short eleven years of life are what has inspired all of the people he touched and given us the purpose to pay it forward. Learn more and make your donation at livelikeleo.org.
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Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa
If you’re in Walnut Creek and in need of a hot meal, our new dining room is open at the Trinity Center (1888 Trinity Ave.) Monday through Friday from 12:00pm to 1:15pm. Come by for a hot, nourishing grab-and-go meal - anyone in need of a hot meal is welcome, and we encourage family, friends, and caregivers to drop by and pick up a meal for someone in need. www.loavesfishescc.org
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MCE is excited to announce the release of its 2020 Power Content Label, which showcases MCE’s leadership in renewable electricity innovation in California. In 2020, MCE’s basic service option, Light Green, was 61% renewable and 91% greenhouse gas free, offering customers almost twice the amount of renewable energy compared to California’s state average of 33%. Since 2010, MCE has more than doubled its renewable energy content from 28% to 61% while significantly increasing its customer base by 5300% – from 10,000 to more than 540,000 accounts across four Bay Area counties. Read full press release here.
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Mobility Matters
Mobility Matters is a nonprofit that gives rides to Seniors and Veterans in Contra Costa County.
Volunteer Drivers are needed to take seniors grocery shopping and to medical appointments. Volunteers must be 25 to 75 years old.
Call Mobility Matters at (925) 284-2215 for more details.
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Monument Crisis Center Food Drives
Monument Crisis Center is accepting non-perishable food donations on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9am-noon. Help families in our community by donating or hosting a drive. The most-needed items are: cereal, pasta, peanut butter. All food items must be within their expiration date, no glass containers please. Donations can be dropped off at 1990 Market Street in Concord. To find out more about hosting a drive, visit: https://monumentcrisiscenter.org/host-a-drive.
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The Orinda Association
Please forward to family and friends. The Orinda News has been The Voice of Orinda
The Orinda News is part of The Orinda Association, a 501c(3) non-profit. Thank you for your donations and support!! |
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Sunflower Hill
Sunflower Hill is a local non-profit dedicated to creating places and spaces where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, work, learn, and thrive as part of the greater community. Sunflower Hill develops independent-living residential communities and creates life skills and enrichment programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. https://sunflowerhill.org
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Trinity Center Walnut Creek
Lafayette’s St Anselm’s Episcopal Church has hosted an annual Harvest Festival fundraiser that supports the mission and work of Trinity Center Walnut Creek. Our Evening Program is a seasonal winter shelter which provides a hot meal and a warm, dry, safe place to sleep for up to 50 vulnerable adults during the cold, wet winter months. Support from the Harvest Festival has sustained this vital program for the past six years. This year, Harvest Festival funds will not only support Evening Program but will buoy our newly launched support services for transitional aged youth who are living with housing and food insecurities as they attempt to navigate school and adult responsibilities.
Trinity Center staff, board of directors, and members are humbled by, and grateful for, this faithful support. We are grateful for the people of St Anselm’s, and others, who share our vision of a community working together to address the devastating effects of poverty and remove barriers to stable housing through compassionate services, education, shelter and advocacy.
Trinity Center is a doorway to opportunity, providing essential safety net services and a pathway forward for vulnerable populations. We advocate for those who are seeking housing, financial stability, and wellness. Join us in our mission to uphold the values of dignity, respect, inclusion, equity, and vibrancy of life for all. https://trinitycenterwc.org
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White Pony Express – Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Love in Action! White Pony Express’ Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) Program is a joint effort between White Pony Express and RecycleSmart that creates a new platform for community service and food rescue – connecting volunteers with smaller food donations they can personally deliver in real-time.
This program was designed to expand WPE’s ability to pick up and deliver donations from local restaurants, caterers, and cafeterias. These small businesses will be required to have an edible food waste collection service agreement in place with a local organization by 2024. We are here to help!
Volunteers can ‘claim’ a delivery at their convenience and are welcome to pile the kids in the car for occasional (or weekly) service runs. These food rescue heroes will act as the connectors between abundance and need – all of us taking care of all of us in action!
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Youth Homes
Thrift Shop Donations
Want to help foster youth and declutter your home? The Youth Homes Thrift Shop is seeking donations of new or gently used men's, women's, and children's clothing, household goods, jewelry, books, fashion accessories, and more! Please call shop manager, Stacy Overcamp, with any questions: 925.798.5561.
Lamorinda BTC- Cherry Lane Garden Makeover
Families from Boys Team Charity (BTC) Lamorinda worked over 100 cumulative volunteer hours in the gardens at Cherry Lane, one of Youth Homes’ residential homes. The group weeded, spread topsoil and mulch, and cut back overgrown hedges. The gardens are now ready for a new season of planting and healing – Thank you BTC Lamorinda!
Welcome Home Campaign
In order to keep providing vital services to foster youth, all four of Youth Homes’ residential homes need urgent repairs. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of our WELCOME HOME campaign, please reach out to Liberty Franks at [email protected] or Danielle John at [email protected].
DCG Raffle Tickets
Calling all diamond-lovers: the Danville Children’s Guild are raffling off a set of three gorgeous diamond rings, with proceeds benefiting Youth Homes’ Enrichment program! Stop by the Youth Homes Thrift Shop (15 Vivian Dr. B, Pleasant Hill) before November 1 to purchase tickets. |
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Upcoming November (and beyond!) Events from our Non Profit Members |
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Lamorinda Moms Preschool Fair
This event brings together 30+ of the most popular preschools in the greater Lamorinda area. Get all your questions answered in one night along with a take home booklet with philosophy, scheduling, cost, and contact information for each participating school. Proof of vaccination is required to attend the event per Contra Costa Country orders.
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Tree of Lights – A Community Event to honor our loved ones.
Hospice East Bay is proud to be celebrating our 35th annual Tree of Lights! For 35 years these ceremonies have provided a way for families and friends to honor their loved ones and find solace in the symbolism of light as the names of their loved ones are read. The funds raised by these ceremonies make it possible for us to provide hospice care to patients who are not covered by insurance.
On Tuesday, November 16 at 5:30 pm the Lafayette ceremony will be held both in person, at the Round Up Saloon and online via Zoom. We are excited to welcome Jay Lifson, Executive Director of Lafayette Chamber of Commerce as our speaker this year.
For $35, you can honor someone you love while directly supporting patient care. To purchase a light or sponsorship, please visit our website www.Hospiceeastbay.org/TOL.
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A Brighter Day
A Brighter Day is based in Lafayette, and works to increase teen mental health outcomes throughout the Bay Area. The founders are Acalanes Parents Alumni and longtime Lafayette family. View Teen Survival Kit.
Our Annual Virtual Gala is happening on Sunday, November 21st at 4:00pm. We'll have an exciting evening full of entertainment, music, live speakers, virtual door prizes, a silent and live auction, and much more! Sponsors will be featured prominently during our live event, on our event page, and on our website. Registration is now open for the Virtual Gala.
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Connect with the City of Lafayette
The City of Lafayette is urging everyone to sign-up for the latest information for Lafayette residents and businesses.
Community Survey & Forums on Economic Recovery Funds
Share your input about how the City of Lafayette can assist with our local economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The City is receiving $6 million in federal assistance from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Learn more about these funds and share your priorities for how to spend the money to support local individuals, businesses and non-profits, make certain infrastructure investments and/or replace lost City revenue.
In order to develop a program that will best help Lafayette businesses and non-profits, the ARPA task force developed a community survey:
In addition the ARPA subcommittee has scheduled two public forums to discuss ideas. For information on how to participate in the Zoom-based forums, click on the dates below:
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Quick Links to Chamber Resources
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Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Office hours by appointment only:
Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
(925) 284-7404
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