VISTE’s mission is to enable frail and elderly persons to remain
safely and independently in their own homes.
|
|
Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) is pleased to announce that the 24th Annual Thanksgiving Meal Delivery will take place on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, with meal pickup at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. This event brings the community together to kick off the holiday season by distributing Thanksgiving meals and beautiful live plants to 1,800 of our elderly neighbors.
If you’ve participated in this event previously, please read carefully as there are significant changes this year, including limiting the number of people who pack meals, and using a drive-through car line for all delivery volunteers. Pick up will be between 2:00 - 5:00 pm, but this year you will not be getting out of your car!
In addition, this year we will NOT be holding the green bean snap or accepting baked bread donations due to safety concerns! However, we do have placemats to be decorated, or you can make seasonal greeting cards or festive craft items to include with the meals.
All volunteers MUST pre-register to deliver meals. Click below to READ MORE and if you're interested in delivering meals, click REGISTER NOW.
|
|
As fall begins and the holiday season is soon upon us, this is traditionally a time to give thanks. While there is much to be thankful for, it may be more difficult this year to experience the fullness of joy that often accompanies this season. If you find yourself in that situation, I encourage you to read on as this newsletter contains updates and inspirational stories intended to renew a spirit of gratitude in all of us, especially during this holiday time. |
|
"Why I Volunteer at Thanksgiving" |
A longtime VISTE supporter and volunteer, Bonnie Paternoster comes from a close-knit family that believes in service to others. According to Bonnie, her parents, Dee and Charles Clayton, “were the kind who always took care of other people,” especially the elderly. Bonnie also has a passion for helping the elderly. Originally from New Jersey, Bonnie and her family moved to Florida and lived in Lakeland for many years. |
|
|
This year, two VISTE programs will provide much-needed food and other items for local seniors in need, as well as a cheerful visit by a volunteer. |
|
Thanksgiving Meals
With All the Trimmings
|
Volunteers will deliver a hot Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings, plus decorative cards and placemats, and a beautiful live plant to seniors – and will visit (socially distanced) to let them know that they are valued and not forgotten. The cost is $15 per meal. |
|
Holiday Personal Care Boxes
& Gifts for Veterans
|
Every December VISTE volunteers pack and deliver 400 boxes filled to the brim with personal care items for seniors in need. In honor of our military veterans, Lakeland Kiwanis Club will also include special gifts for veterans based on their branch of service. The cost for each box is $25. |
|
|
Please consider covering the cost of one or more Thanksgiving meals and/or Holiday Personal Care Boxes. Donating is easy! Just click on the DONATE button below to send holiday love to a local senior in need. You can support Thanksgiving meals, Holiday Personal Care boxes, or both! THANK YOU!! |
|
Leadership Notes
Welcome Callie Neslund, New Board Chair
|
We are pleased to welcome Callie Neslund as VISTE’s new Board Chair! Callie is a longtime supporter of VISTE and has served on the Board since 2012, most recently as Vice Chair. She brings enthusiasm and a solid business approach to VISTE. Her vision for the organization includes a focus on strategic planning, staff development, new funding opportunities, and organizational sustainability, to help ensure that local at-risk seniors will continue to receive the essential services they need.
|
|
|
2020 Volunteer
Appreciation Awards
|
Our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon in April had to be cancelled this year because of COVID, so we had to get more creative to honor our AMAZING VOLUNTEERS! In August, VISTE staff and volunteers worked together to present these awards outside the recipients’ homes by way of Volunteer Appreciation Parades. Cars/vans/trucks were decorated, and signs posted in the recipients’ yards.
The following volunteers were recognized for 2020: Francheska Martinez, Lynn Bowen, and Ken Beals.
|
|
Gratitude Unlocks the
Fullness of Life
|
As we begin the start of the holiday season it is appropriate that our first holiday focuses on giving thanks. VISTE is so thankful for the many volunteers that are the namesake of the organization, without whom we would not exist. We are also thankful to the many donors who support our good work by giving financially to keep VISTE operating. If not for your time and treasure, VISTE could not continue to provide services to our elderly family, friends, and neighbors. At this most charitable time of the year, will you please consider a Holiday donation? |
|
|
Important Volunteer Information |
Ever wonder how many volunteers are involved with VISTE? Do you ever want to know your exact number of volunteer hours? We do too! With the help of Volunteer Florida, we have purchased new software to help better organize our volunteer records. Volunteers will soon have access to this database to update their contact information and keep track of their volunteer records. Be on the lookout for more information in the next couple months. If you have any questions, you can always contact Julie at julie@viste.org or 863-284-0828 ext. 6.
|
|
SAVE THE DATE | FEBRUARY 6, 2021 |
It’s official—Virtual VISTEBall is ON!! Join us for VISTE’s 16th Annual VISTEBall, to be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021! VISTEBall will take place online this year, but the focus remains the same: golf, fun, friends, and raising funds for a great cause – helping local seniors in need. Mark your calendars now – additional details to follow! |
|
Thank you for your generous gift to brighten the holidays for your elderly neighbors! Your gift means so much to a senior in need, especially during the holidays.
Thank you for your gift of caring and hope!
|
|
The need is great, but together we are greater than the need!
|
|
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
24th Annual Thanksgiving Meal Delivery
|
|
We wouldn’t be where we are today without the generosity of our corporate and community partners. Here’s a spotlight on just a few! |
|
VISTE.org | (863) 284-0828 | Stay Connected! Follow us on Facebook! |
|
Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt agency. Gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. State Registration #CH28. Federal ID #59-2625297
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
