September 2018
A PARTNERSHIP THAT REALLY WORKS
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” (Helen Keller). That message reflects the ongoing partnership between the Foundation of LWV and the Village’s Social Services staff. For over 20 years, that partnership has strived to meet the needs of Village residents by providing temporary financial aid to Village residents facing financial crises. Help has been provided for electricity bills, caregiver services, medication and doctor costs, dental care, taxi vouchers, and with grocery cards. Today that partnership has expanded to include the purchase of medical alerts and ambulance contracts, distribution of earthquake kits, and transportation to the local food pantry.
To request help from the Foundation, a resident only has to go Social Services which is located in the rear of the Community Center on the first floor. Trained staff can be reached at 949-597-4267 who will explain how to qualify for such temporary emergency assistance.
But the Village’s Social Services staff does much more than just provide a link to the Foundation. It is a valuable resource connecting residents with caregiver services, meal delivery progress, mental health programs, dementia care, and Adult Protective Services. Comprehensive bio-psychological assessments can be performed by trained staff, and the team of trained social workers can also help residents with an unexpected crisis.
The Friendly Visitor Program is also part of the Social Services Department. It trains residents to develop the compassion and skills necessary become welcome companions to less active residents.
For more information, you can reach the Foundation by phone, 949-268-2246, or by email, thefoundation@comline.com. Please visit our website at foundationoflagunawoodsvillage.org.
A PARTNERSHIP THAT REALLY WORKS
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” (Helen Keller). That message reflects the ongoing partnership between the Foundation of LWV and the Village’s Social Services staff. For over 20 years, that partnership has strived to meet the needs of Village residents by providing temporary financial aid to Village residents facing financial crises. Help has been provided for electricity bills, caregiver services, medication and doctor costs, dental care, taxi vouchers, and with grocery cards. Today that partnership has expanded to include the purchase of medical alerts and ambulance contracts, distribution of earthquake kits, and transportation to the local food pantry.
To request help from the Foundation, a resident only has to go Social Services which is located in the rear of the Community Center on the first floor. Trained staff can be reached at 949-597-4267 who will explain how to qualify for such temporary emergency assistance.
But the Village’s Social Services staff does much more than just provide a link to the Foundation. It is a valuable resource connecting residents with caregiver services, meal delivery progress, mental health programs, dementia care, and Adult Protective Services. Comprehensive bio-psychological assessments can be performed by trained staff, and the team of trained social workers can also help residents with an unexpected crisis.
The Friendly Visitor Program is also part of the Social Services Department. It trains residents to develop the compassion and skills necessary become welcome companions to less active residents.
For more information, you can reach the Foundation by phone, 949-268-2246, or by email, thefoundation@comline.com. Please visit our website at foundationoflagunawoodsvillage.org.
June 2018
STRETCHING DOLLARS
The Foundation is often asked where residents can turn for help when their electricity or telephone bills overtake their budget. One possibility is the CARE Program or California Alternate Rates for Energy Program offered by Southern California Edison which may be able to help by providing a monthly discount on electricity bills. The monthly discount can be almost 30 percent.
There are many ways to qualify for this program. You can be eligible if you are already on a public assistance program such as Medi-Cal or Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance. An alternative way to qualify is based on income. If there are 1 or 2 persons in a household earning a total combined annual income up to $32,480, you may also qualify.
To request an application form, to see if you may qualify, and for more information, please contact Southern California Edison at 1-800-447-6620 or check out their website at www.sce.com/care.
In turn, if you are having trouble paying your telephone bill, there is a way to reduce that bill as well. The California LifeLine Program provides discounted home- and cell-phone services to qualified households which helps to lower the cost of those bills. Only one discount per household is allowed (except for teletypewriter users and for Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program participants).
You can qualify for California LifeLine if you, or another person in the household, is enrolled in one of the aid programs mentioned above. You can also qualify for California LifeLine if your 1 or 2 person household's total annual gross income is at or less than $27,000. If you think you might qualify, call you current phone company and ask for the California LifeLine discounts to start the application process.
You can reach the Foundation by phone, 949-268-2246, or by email, thefoundation@comline.com. Please visit our website at foundationoflagunawoodsvillage.org.
STRETCHING DOLLARS
The Foundation is often asked where residents can turn for help when their electricity or telephone bills overtake their budget. One possibility is the CARE Program or California Alternate Rates for Energy Program offered by Southern California Edison which may be able to help by providing a monthly discount on electricity bills. The monthly discount can be almost 30 percent.
There are many ways to qualify for this program. You can be eligible if you are already on a public assistance program such as Medi-Cal or Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance. An alternative way to qualify is based on income. If there are 1 or 2 persons in a household earning a total combined annual income up to $32,480, you may also qualify.
To request an application form, to see if you may qualify, and for more information, please contact Southern California Edison at 1-800-447-6620 or check out their website at www.sce.com/care.
In turn, if you are having trouble paying your telephone bill, there is a way to reduce that bill as well. The California LifeLine Program provides discounted home- and cell-phone services to qualified households which helps to lower the cost of those bills. Only one discount per household is allowed (except for teletypewriter users and for Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program participants).
You can qualify for California LifeLine if you, or another person in the household, is enrolled in one of the aid programs mentioned above. You can also qualify for California LifeLine if your 1 or 2 person household's total annual gross income is at or less than $27,000. If you think you might qualify, call you current phone company and ask for the California LifeLine discounts to start the application process.
You can reach the Foundation by phone, 949-268-2246, or by email, thefoundation@comline.com. Please visit our website at foundationoflagunawoodsvillage.org.
May 2018
New Pilot Project: Disaster Preparedness
Natural disasters are a fact of life in Southern California. In the news media we read about the threats posed by earthquakes, fires and flooding as well as how they impact lives.
In the past year, the support of bequests has enabled the Foundation to go back to its roots and help the Village be prepared should the need arise. The Foundation was originally created in response to a natural disaster 21 years ago when extreme flooding hit the Village. Today, the Foundation has been able to start a disaster relief fund, setting aside funds to help residents if a disaster should hit the Village again, and it is our hope to increase this fund.
In addition, with the assistance of the Village’s Disaster Preparedness Task Force and Security Department, the Foundation started a new pilot project and purchased earthquake kits for residents in need to be distributed by the Social Services Department. If an earthquake should occur, a kit can be an invaluable help. It contains such essentials as water, a nutrition bar, flashlight, radio, and blanket, among other items. Information about applying and to see if you qualify can be obtained by contacting Social Services at 949-597-4267.
The Disaster Preparedness Task Force, located in the Community Center and open during the morning, has home and car earthquake kits available for purchase by all residents. You can reach the Foundation by phone, 949-2682246, or by email, thefoundation@ comline.com. Please visit our website as well at foundationoflagunawoodsvillage. org.
April 2018
WHEN THE CUPBOARD IS BARE
What happens when a Village resident finds their cupboard is bare with no money to buy food? Unfortunately this does happen to some of our neighbors. But unlike Old Mother Hubbard, Village residents can get help through the Foundation which provides grocery “cash” cards. All they have to do is contact Social Services at 949-597-4267 to see if they qualify. Foundation assistance can also mean keeping the electricity on, continuing telephone service, paying for a needed prescription, or paying for medical care.
Another source of help is the South County Outreach Food Pantry located at 7 Whatney, Irvine, CA 92618. Local residents can receive a week’s worth of food once a month, and the Pantry is operated Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For eligibility information, please call 949-380-8144, ext. 220.
If a Village resident needs transportation to the South County Outreach food pantry, the Foundation provides free transport once monthly by contacting Social Services at 949-597-4267.
Saddleback Church also operates a food pantry in the Village on the fourth (4th) Wednesday of each month in Clubhouse 7 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
The Crossline Food Pantry. located at the Crossline Church on Moulton Parkway in Laguna Hills, is available as well to South Orange County residents in need. It offers free food three days a week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Finally, as highlighted in the Globe last week, the Lutheran Church of the Cross, located at 24231 El Toro Road, operates a senior grocery program with no income requirement at 10:00 a.m. on the following Fridays, 4/27, 5/11 & 25, and 6/15 & 29. If interested, bring your own bags.
For questions and to reach The Foundation, please contact thefoundation@comline.com or 949-268-2246.
March 2018
LEAVING A LEGACY
“The more things change, the more things remain the same.” One of those constants is the need of some Laguna Woods residents for emergency financial assistance. Some residents face a temporary financial crisis, others simply are outliving their money.
Since its inception over 20 years ago, the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village has been responding to the emergency financial needs of Village residents, with assistance for medication, utility bills, grocery vouchers, nursing care, medical and dental bills among others. The need for such help continues.
To keep the Foundation viable in the future we need your help. While donations today help the Foundation meet present needs, leaving a bequest will permit the Foundation to continue its mission in the future. To do so will cost you nothing today, but specifying a continuing donation in a will or trust to the Foundation can mean emergency help to residents for years to come.
Please remember as well that retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k), and 403(b) plans can be subject to ordinary income tax and estate tax; from 40 to 60 percent can go to taxes if left to your heirs. Retirement plan assets left to the Foundation will transfer tax free. In planning your estate, consider leaving a portion of your retirement plan to a charity such as the Foundation and leave more favorable-taxed assets to your family.
If you feel that any of these giving ideas are appropriate, we suggest you first contact your tax, financial and/or legal advisor about any IRA-related actions or the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village at (949) 268-2246 or thefoundation@comline.com.
January 2018
The beginning of the New Year presents a challenge for all of us, including the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village. This special time gives us an opportunity to look back, assess our efforts, and resolve to do better as we go forward. It gives the Foundation a chance to assess how well we are meeting the needs of Village residents facing hard times.
In addition to the ongoing financial support the provided to qualified residents who need help, during the past year the Foundation has implemented and strengthened a few new initiatives. First, we started a new effort with the Braille Institute to provide visual aids for residents needing financial assistance.
Second, we doubled the funding to Age Well Senior Services for the weekend and holiday meal program for “food insecure” residents.
Third, we continued the transportation program for Village residents needing such assistance to go to the South County Outreach Food Pantry where they can get a week’s worth of food once a month.
Fourth, the Foundation can now provide Uber transportation services to qualified residents when the City taxi voucher system does not meet their needs outside Orange County.
Fifth, during the past year, the Foundation focused on ensuring residents facing financial hard times have access to two simple emergency care measures which, medical alert systems and CARE ambulance policies to ensure affordable ambulance transport when a medical crisis occurs.
This year the Foundation is looking at ways it can help with disaster preparedness and what role it can pay if a disaster should occur. As a result, we seek input from the Village as to what we can in this regard and if there are needs we are not currently meeting. Please contact the Foundation at thefoundation@comline.com or 949-268-2246.
New Pilot Project: Disaster Preparedness
Natural disasters are a fact of life in Southern California. In the news media we read about the threats posed by earthquakes, fires and flooding as well as how they impact lives.
In the past year, the support of bequests has enabled the Foundation to go back to its roots and help the Village be prepared should the need arise. The Foundation was originally created in response to a natural disaster 21 years ago when extreme flooding hit the Village. Today, the Foundation has been able to start a disaster relief fund, setting aside funds to help residents if a disaster should hit the Village again, and it is our hope to increase this fund.
In addition, with the assistance of the Village’s Disaster Preparedness Task Force and Security Department, the Foundation started a new pilot project and purchased earthquake kits for residents in need to be distributed by the Social Services Department. If an earthquake should occur, a kit can be an invaluable help. It contains such essentials as water, a nutrition bar, flashlight, radio, and blanket, among other items. Information about applying and to see if you qualify can be obtained by contacting Social Services at 949-597-4267.
The Disaster Preparedness Task Force, located in the Community Center and open during the morning, has home and car earthquake kits available for purchase by all residents. You can reach the Foundation by phone, 949-2682246, or by email, thefoundation@ comline.com. Please visit our website as well at foundationoflagunawoodsvillage. org.
April 2018
WHEN THE CUPBOARD IS BARE
What happens when a Village resident finds their cupboard is bare with no money to buy food? Unfortunately this does happen to some of our neighbors. But unlike Old Mother Hubbard, Village residents can get help through the Foundation which provides grocery “cash” cards. All they have to do is contact Social Services at 949-597-4267 to see if they qualify. Foundation assistance can also mean keeping the electricity on, continuing telephone service, paying for a needed prescription, or paying for medical care.
Another source of help is the South County Outreach Food Pantry located at 7 Whatney, Irvine, CA 92618. Local residents can receive a week’s worth of food once a month, and the Pantry is operated Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For eligibility information, please call 949-380-8144, ext. 220.
If a Village resident needs transportation to the South County Outreach food pantry, the Foundation provides free transport once monthly by contacting Social Services at 949-597-4267.
Saddleback Church also operates a food pantry in the Village on the fourth (4th) Wednesday of each month in Clubhouse 7 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
The Crossline Food Pantry. located at the Crossline Church on Moulton Parkway in Laguna Hills, is available as well to South Orange County residents in need. It offers free food three days a week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Finally, as highlighted in the Globe last week, the Lutheran Church of the Cross, located at 24231 El Toro Road, operates a senior grocery program with no income requirement at 10:00 a.m. on the following Fridays, 4/27, 5/11 & 25, and 6/15 & 29. If interested, bring your own bags.
For questions and to reach The Foundation, please contact thefoundation@comline.com or 949-268-2246.
March 2018
LEAVING A LEGACY
“The more things change, the more things remain the same.” One of those constants is the need of some Laguna Woods residents for emergency financial assistance. Some residents face a temporary financial crisis, others simply are outliving their money.
Since its inception over 20 years ago, the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village has been responding to the emergency financial needs of Village residents, with assistance for medication, utility bills, grocery vouchers, nursing care, medical and dental bills among others. The need for such help continues.
To keep the Foundation viable in the future we need your help. While donations today help the Foundation meet present needs, leaving a bequest will permit the Foundation to continue its mission in the future. To do so will cost you nothing today, but specifying a continuing donation in a will or trust to the Foundation can mean emergency help to residents for years to come.
Please remember as well that retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k), and 403(b) plans can be subject to ordinary income tax and estate tax; from 40 to 60 percent can go to taxes if left to your heirs. Retirement plan assets left to the Foundation will transfer tax free. In planning your estate, consider leaving a portion of your retirement plan to a charity such as the Foundation and leave more favorable-taxed assets to your family.
If you feel that any of these giving ideas are appropriate, we suggest you first contact your tax, financial and/or legal advisor about any IRA-related actions or the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village at (949) 268-2246 or thefoundation@comline.com.
January 2018
The beginning of the New Year presents a challenge for all of us, including the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village. This special time gives us an opportunity to look back, assess our efforts, and resolve to do better as we go forward. It gives the Foundation a chance to assess how well we are meeting the needs of Village residents facing hard times.
In addition to the ongoing financial support the provided to qualified residents who need help, during the past year the Foundation has implemented and strengthened a few new initiatives. First, we started a new effort with the Braille Institute to provide visual aids for residents needing financial assistance.
Second, we doubled the funding to Age Well Senior Services for the weekend and holiday meal program for “food insecure” residents.
Third, we continued the transportation program for Village residents needing such assistance to go to the South County Outreach Food Pantry where they can get a week’s worth of food once a month.
Fourth, the Foundation can now provide Uber transportation services to qualified residents when the City taxi voucher system does not meet their needs outside Orange County.
Fifth, during the past year, the Foundation focused on ensuring residents facing financial hard times have access to two simple emergency care measures which, medical alert systems and CARE ambulance policies to ensure affordable ambulance transport when a medical crisis occurs.
This year the Foundation is looking at ways it can help with disaster preparedness and what role it can pay if a disaster should occur. As a result, we seek input from the Village as to what we can in this regard and if there are needs we are not currently meeting. Please contact the Foundation at thefoundation@comline.com or 949-268-2246.
Articles published in the Globe
From the Foundation
Laguna Woods Globe, February 15, 2018
Would You Know?
Would you know what to do, if you experienced a financial crisis and could not afford to pay your electric bill?
If you ran out of money and only had food to last the week?
If you suddenly suffered a loss of vision and could not afford to purchase a magnifier or cane?
If your spouse was experiencing increased forgetfulness or dementia, but you couldn’t afford a caregiver?
If you were in the “donut hole” and your doctor prescribed an expensive medication?
If you were released from the hospital and needed caregiver services you could not afford? Or needed Meals on Wheels?
If you could no longer drive and needed help with transportation, but your funds were limited?
In Laguna Woods Village, these difficulties can be handled because the Foundation stands ready to help residents — this financial assistance can help buy food, pay for utilities, purchase medications, arrange for caregiver services, and provide for transportation, among others. The first step for getting such help is to contact Social Services, 949-597-4267, where the staff will verify the need and arrange for assistance. During the process, resident identities are not disclosed, and payment is made directly to the vendor.
For Meals on Wheels, please contact AgeWell Senior Services at 949-380-0155.
In turn, Foundation financial assistance is also available to needy residents who have vision problems by contacting the Braille Institute, 949-330-5062.
Foundation financial assistance for day care services for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s is also available by contacting South County Adult Day Services, 949-855-9444.
For more information, please contact the Foundation at thefoundation@comline.com or 949-268-2246.
The Foundation Provides Holiday Cheer to 175 Residents
Keeping the holidays bright for all Village residents is made possible by your donations to the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, while also continuing to help needier residents throughout the year. This year, donations have permitted the Foundation to adopt over 175 seniors in the Village who will receive some special “holiday cheer.”
With the help of Social Services and the South County Outreach food pantry, the Foundation was able to identify those in need of holiday cheer and provide Village seniors with both a special holiday meal and gift, something they would not have had otherwise.
While this special effort is focused on the holidays, donations in response to the Foundation’s recent request allow the Foundation to provide temporary financial assistance year round to Village residents for such things as medications, caregiver services, utility bills, doctor visits, and taxi and Uber transport. As part of its financial assistance, the Foundation is currently focusing on ensuring needy residents can avail themselves of two simple emergency care measures that can often be life-saving: medical alert systems and CARE ambulance policies to ensure affordable ambulance transport when a medical crisis occurs. For more information about obtaining these emergency measures due to financial need, please contact Social Services at 949-597-4267 or contact the Foundation at thefoundation@comline.com or by phone, 949-268-2246. Thank you for your support and happy holidays!
The Village Library - August 24, 2017
Upgrading CD books The Village Library recently received a gift from the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village in memory of Dr. Adelyn Bonin. Dr. Bonin led a storied life. At the age of 16 she fled Nazi Germany and served as an ambulance driver for the Allied forces in North Africa. She later migrated to Palestine, Italy and Britain before reuniting with family who had moved to the US. She spent 24 years teaching German at Orange County College. Her book “Allegiances” has a prime spot in our Library’s Village Authors collection. In attempting to comply with Dr. Bonin’s desire to help visually impaired residents of Laguna Woods Village, we at the Library will be enhancing our collection of CD Books. In addition, we will be piloting a program that will lend out portable CD players. We are in the process of cataloging 25 new CD Books. The titles will be audio versions of the most popular books selected by Laguna Woods residents in the first six months of 2017. They include Stuart Woods’ “Sex, Lies & Serious Money” and “Below the Belt,” Lee Child’s “Night School,” Daniel Silva’s “Black Widow” and James Patterson’s “Never Never.” Lending out equipment will require new processes be established at the Library. We would like to speak with anyone who is visually impaired or knows someone who would be willing to help us during our pilot program. We need to know what help would be needed, i.e., feeling how the player works, knowing how many pieces are in the package, etc. Please contact Eileen at 949-597-4274 if you are interested in providing testing support and feedback.
THE FOUNDATION
Celebrating 20 years serving seniors
By Emily Rasmussen, Laguna Woods Globe, May 4, 2017
rasmussen.emily22 @gmail.com
Nearly 70 people came to Clubhouse Two in Laguna Woods Village Thursday, April 28 to honor the 20th anniversary of The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, a nonprofit that has given $2 million of aid to seniors in need since 1997.
With donations from individuals, Village clubs and special events, The Foundation supports the community with temporary financial assistance, grocery cards, taxi vouchers and more.
“I think we are the only foundation in the United States, and perhaps the world, that does what we do for our community,” director Marion Levine said. “What we do for our neighbors is establishing a safety net which will allow them to age in place in our lovely community.”
Members of the all-volunteer organization came to the celebration, along with other community members and Mayor Shari Horne, who presented a commendation to The Foundation.
“It’s an honor to be here, this is one of my very favorite things that I get to do, to honor clubs that reach a significant anniversary,” Horne said. “Especially one that does so much for the Village and for the residents that live here. We’re really lucky to have an organization like this.”
The Foundation started in 1997, when social services staff had been working with seniors in need. “The staff would reach into their own pockets and give money to residents in need,” Levine said. After hearing about what social services was doing, a group of residents decided to do something to help, Levine said, and The Foundation was born. The first feat of the nonprofit was helping residents who had been impacted by heavy rains and flooding that year by giving financial aid for packing and moving out of their flooded homes. Later that year 1,000 residents made donations. “They saw a good thing and they wanted to support it,” Levine said.
Now, The Foundation has expanded in different ways, President Marcy Sheinwold said, providing other services and by partnering with Alzheimer’s Orange County and South County Outreach. They also donate $7,000 each month to Age Well Senior Services for the Meals on Wheels program.
“To give you an idea of how The Foundation has grown, in 1998 it was very proud of its budget at that time at $20,000,” Sheinwold said. “Last year we spent over $270,000 and 93 percent of that was returned to residents and to services in the Village.”
Residents who apply for and receive financial aid through The Foundation are anonymous; however, sometimes the volunteers will receive thank you notes from recipients.
“Thank you very much for your help with my hearing aids,” Sheinwold read from an anonymous note. “I am overjoyed to be able to hear again, I can enjoy the beautiful sounds of birds chirping, children laughing, sounds I have missed dearly.”
When we get a thank you like that, it puts the work and contributions that people make to The Foundation in context, she said. One of the volunteers who has made extraordinary contributions to the nonprofit is Levine, Sheinwold said.
“This year we decided to start a new tradition and that was to award a Humanitarian Award, somebody who exemplified the values of The Foundation and who has made contributions to the Village as well to all of us,” she said, honoring Levine as the recipient of the award.
A volunteer to The Foundation since 2008, Levine accepted the award and expressed her gratitude to the rest of the volunteers and the community. The Globe sat down with her after the anniversary celebration and asked her a few questions.
Q How does it feel to receive the first-ever Humanitarian Award from The Foundation?
A Awesome, it’s very nice to feel acknowledged by the community that you serve.
Q What does The Foundation mean to you?
A We are an organization that helps our neighbors go over the temporary obstacles in the road of life. A lot of our residents are more elderly than some of us, but here their pensions are probably down to zero. They’re living on Social Security and just to keep them in their homes as long as possible is my goal, to give them a quality of life.
Q During the nearly 10 years since you’ve been a part of The Foundation, how have you seen it grow?
A Organizations, I think, replicate life. So they start out taking baby steps — in my tenure that was the teenage years. We had a lot of new ventures, we went out and took chances with developing relationships that I think the early boards wouldn’t have considered.
Q Do you have an instance when you helped someone that really touched your heart?
A I shop in Stater Bros. and probably three or four times I’ve been in an aisle and somebody walks up to me, throws their arms around me and says “Thank you.” It still brings tears to my eyes that I don’t know who they are, they know me through pictures through the Globe, and they came to break that confidentiality bond and show that vulnerability as somebody who needed help.
Q What’s something about you that most people don’t know?
A I love eating and I love drinking Starbucks coffee. I have a group of friends who are foodies and every month we have a mystery lunch, we meet for wine and food and keep our socialization. Socializing is what keeps you living a long and healthy life.
Former president of The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village Marion Levine introduces the history of the organization during the 20th anniversary of the Foundation at Clubhouse Two in Laguna Woods.
The following articles were written by board member Marcy Sheinwold and were published in the Globe. They will give you some additional information about The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village.
SOCIAL SERVICES
When he got older, Albert Einstein bragged that he had finally ". . . reached an age when, if someone tells me to wear socks, I don't have to," underscoring the importance of independence as we age. Being independent gives older people a sense of control and well-being even as their physical condition changes. By assisting village residents who are experiencing hard times, the Foundation seeks to foster independence, but it could not do this without the essential work of the village Social Services staff.
Through its many interactions with residents, the Social Services staff's goal is to enhance residents' lives while permitting them to live independently. For example, for someone having difficulty preparing meals, they will link that resident with meals on wheels. If someone loses their license, they will review transportation options. If someone is having difficulty with activities of daily life, they will provide caregiver referrals. If a resident can no longer live in their manors, Social Services will assist with long term care planning. As warranted, Social Services also identifies isolated residents, referring them to the Friendly Visitor Program; investigates cases of suspected abuse, working with Adult Protective Services; and refers residents to needed services when dementia becomes an issue.
Social Services also screens residents facing financial difficulties. Only via this screening can residents who have lived here at least three years request financial help from the Foundation for such items as medication, physician, dental, utility, and caregiver costs.
Social Services can be contacted at 949-597-4267, while the Foundation can be reached at 949-268-2246 or foundation@comline.com.
Partnerships Fostered the Holiday Spirit
Partnerships helped to keep the holiday spirit alive in Laguna Woods Village this past December. Partnering with Sunshine Lutey's recent holiday show and South County Outreach permitted the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village to "adopt" 26 seniors this holiday season. Donations obtained through Sunshine Lutey's December 2nd performance provided the special funds for this new effort. In turn, twenty-six seniors living in the Village who had qualified for food pantry assistance at South County Outreach asked to be "adopted" by the Foundation.
Through this partnership, the Foundation was able to provide the seniors participating with both a special holiday meal and gift, something they would not have had otherwise. The holiday meal could take the form of a cooked dinner or a Stater Brothers gift card so the recipient could make their own meal. In addition, each participant was asked what they wanted as a gift, and the requests were very telling. The requests ranged from warm socks, comfortable walking shoes, cleaning supplies, a sweater, dishes, and silverware, among others. One request, however, was apparently designed to bring back memories of an earlier, happier time -- one 83 year old woman asked for Shalimar perfume.
While this special effort was focused on the holidays, donations throughout the year permit the Foundation to provide temporary financial assistance to Village residents and to build on partnerships of helping. Please contact the Foundation by email, thefoundation@comline.com, or by phone, 949-268-2246. As the Foundation of Laguna Woods begins its twentieth year of serving the Village, we thank you for your continued support.
Through this partnership, the Foundation was able to provide the seniors participating with both a special holiday meal and gift, something they would not have had otherwise. The holiday meal could take the form of a cooked dinner or a Stater Brothers gift card so the recipient could make their own meal. In addition, each participant was asked what they wanted as a gift, and the requests were very telling. The requests ranged from warm socks, comfortable walking shoes, cleaning supplies, a sweater, dishes, and silverware, among others. One request, however, was apparently designed to bring back memories of an earlier, happier time -- one 83 year old woman asked for Shalimar perfume.
While this special effort was focused on the holidays, donations throughout the year permit the Foundation to provide temporary financial assistance to Village residents and to build on partnerships of helping. Please contact the Foundation by email, thefoundation@comline.com, or by phone, 949-268-2246. As the Foundation of Laguna Woods begins its twentieth year of serving the Village, we thank you for your continued support.
Holiday Gifting
With the holidays approaching, are you searching for gift ideas for family and friends? Perhaps simply buying “things” no longer provides a meaningful gift for those you hold dear and you want a gift more truly representing the holiday spirit. One suggestion for a more meaningful gift is a holiday “tribute” donation to the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village. A holiday “tribute” gift in someone’s name will make that recipient know that they are not only special, but that they are also helping their neighbors at this time of the year.
Since the Foundation relies on donations from residents to help other residents experiencing financial hardship, a holiday “tribute” donation can help the Foundation meet increasing needs during the holidays. The Foundation provides emergency assistance with food, medication, utility bills, medical or nursing care, care givers and respite care. In addition, the Foundation provides funding for residents to benefit from meals on wheels and senior adult day care.
In the alternative, another way you can help the Foundation meet holiday needs is to register with Amazon.Smile while you shop for other types of gifts. “AmazonSmile” permits you to support your favorite charity while shopping at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com you will find the same variety of goods, same prices, and same ease of shopping. The difference is that Amazon will donate a portion of the sale of eligible items to the charity you designate. Amazon will donate 0.5 % of the sale price of these items to the charity chosen. All you have to do when you shop is go the following website: www.smile.amazon.com. On your first visit, you designate the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village as your charity to receive funds. Each time after that, you continue to go to www.smile.amazon.com when shopping and a donation is automatically made to the Foundation.
Through these two efforts, you can help the Foundation make the holidays brighter for all Village residents. For more information, you can contact the Foundation by email, thefoundation@comline.com or by phone, 949-268-2246. As the Foundation of Laguna Woods begins its twentieth year of serving the Village, we wish to thank you for your support and best wishes for happy, healthy holidays!
Since the Foundation relies on donations from residents to help other residents experiencing financial hardship, a holiday “tribute” donation can help the Foundation meet increasing needs during the holidays. The Foundation provides emergency assistance with food, medication, utility bills, medical or nursing care, care givers and respite care. In addition, the Foundation provides funding for residents to benefit from meals on wheels and senior adult day care.
In the alternative, another way you can help the Foundation meet holiday needs is to register with Amazon.Smile while you shop for other types of gifts. “AmazonSmile” permits you to support your favorite charity while shopping at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com you will find the same variety of goods, same prices, and same ease of shopping. The difference is that Amazon will donate a portion of the sale of eligible items to the charity you designate. Amazon will donate 0.5 % of the sale price of these items to the charity chosen. All you have to do when you shop is go the following website: www.smile.amazon.com. On your first visit, you designate the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village as your charity to receive funds. Each time after that, you continue to go to www.smile.amazon.com when shopping and a donation is automatically made to the Foundation.
Through these two efforts, you can help the Foundation make the holidays brighter for all Village residents. For more information, you can contact the Foundation by email, thefoundation@comline.com or by phone, 949-268-2246. As the Foundation of Laguna Woods begins its twentieth year of serving the Village, we wish to thank you for your support and best wishes for happy, healthy holidays!
Food or Prescriptions?
No Village resident should have to choose between filling a prescription and buying food. To address the needs of those who are considered “food insecure,” the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village has recently implemented two new initiatives.
First, the Foundation has provided funding to Age Well Senior Services to expand the meals on wheels program to include weekend and holiday meals for those without financial resources or too frail or disabled to prepare their own meals. Traditionally the program only provided meals Monday through Friday. Between July 1 and September 30, over 800 weekend meals were provided to those Village residents considered “food insecure.”
Second with the assistance of Jewish Federation and Family Services’ Silver Streak program, the Foundation has begun funding transportation for qualifying Village residents to the South County Outreach food pantry where they can get one week’s worth of food once a month. Some of the participants have also qualified to receive a Senior Box of non-perishable food.
The Foundation also continues other programs to meet the nutrition and food needs of residents. Through Social Services, seniors in need can obtain grocery cards to purchase food at a local supermarket. The Foundation also provides monthly funding to the traditional meals on wheels program to feed Village residents. Each week, between 150 and 175 residents receive such meals as a result of Founding funding.
For meals on wheels, please call the Florence Sylvester Senior Center at 949-380-0155, and for the other food programs, please contact Social Services at 949-268-2271. For more information, you can also contact the Foundation by email, thefoundation@comline.com or by phone, 949-268-2246. As the Foundation of Laguna Woods begins its twentieth year of serving the Village, we wish to thank you in advance for your support which makes these initiatives possible.
First, the Foundation has provided funding to Age Well Senior Services to expand the meals on wheels program to include weekend and holiday meals for those without financial resources or too frail or disabled to prepare their own meals. Traditionally the program only provided meals Monday through Friday. Between July 1 and September 30, over 800 weekend meals were provided to those Village residents considered “food insecure.”
Second with the assistance of Jewish Federation and Family Services’ Silver Streak program, the Foundation has begun funding transportation for qualifying Village residents to the South County Outreach food pantry where they can get one week’s worth of food once a month. Some of the participants have also qualified to receive a Senior Box of non-perishable food.
The Foundation also continues other programs to meet the nutrition and food needs of residents. Through Social Services, seniors in need can obtain grocery cards to purchase food at a local supermarket. The Foundation also provides monthly funding to the traditional meals on wheels program to feed Village residents. Each week, between 150 and 175 residents receive such meals as a result of Founding funding.
For meals on wheels, please call the Florence Sylvester Senior Center at 949-380-0155, and for the other food programs, please contact Social Services at 949-268-2271. For more information, you can also contact the Foundation by email, thefoundation@comline.com or by phone, 949-268-2246. As the Foundation of Laguna Woods begins its twentieth year of serving the Village, we wish to thank you in advance for your support which makes these initiatives possible.
New Needs Addressed
New needs are now being addressed by the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village. Following intensive needs assessment and with the receipt of a recent bequest left by a Village resident, the Foundation has expanded its program funding to include new initiatives during the coming year.
First, given that the home bound meals program only provides meals Monday to Friday, some residents are without food over the weekend and on holidays. Given that these residents often cannot afford to buy food, they will save food from the weekday meals or simply go without eating. New program funding will provide weekend frozen meals for 15 "food insecure" residents through Age Well Senior Services.
Second, transportation is often a problem for Village residents needing dialysis since Age Well Senior Services can only provide 16 trips a month and dialysis patients need approximately 26 trips a month (I.e., 3 times a week), thereby leaving a gap of 10 visits. As a result, the Foundation will fund the 10 visit gap for 15 residents per month for the coming year.
Third, the Foundation is exploring the possibility of implementing a home repair program to be administered by the City of Laguna Woods in cooperation with Home Depot. As proposed, the Foundation will provide funding for materials for minor home repairs with Home Depot providing volunteer workers and the City overseeing this effort.
Finally, with the assistance of the Silver Streak transportation offered by Jewish Federation and Family Services, the Foundation is now funding transportation for qualifying residents once a month to the South County Outreach food pantry where they can get a week's worth of food, thereby helping them stretch limited budgets.
Careful monitoring of these new initiatives will take place during the coming years. To learn more about other Foundation programs and activities, please go to our website at foundationoflagunawoodsvillage.org. Donations can also be sent to the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
First, given that the home bound meals program only provides meals Monday to Friday, some residents are without food over the weekend and on holidays. Given that these residents often cannot afford to buy food, they will save food from the weekday meals or simply go without eating. New program funding will provide weekend frozen meals for 15 "food insecure" residents through Age Well Senior Services.
Second, transportation is often a problem for Village residents needing dialysis since Age Well Senior Services can only provide 16 trips a month and dialysis patients need approximately 26 trips a month (I.e., 3 times a week), thereby leaving a gap of 10 visits. As a result, the Foundation will fund the 10 visit gap for 15 residents per month for the coming year.
Third, the Foundation is exploring the possibility of implementing a home repair program to be administered by the City of Laguna Woods in cooperation with Home Depot. As proposed, the Foundation will provide funding for materials for minor home repairs with Home Depot providing volunteer workers and the City overseeing this effort.
Finally, with the assistance of the Silver Streak transportation offered by Jewish Federation and Family Services, the Foundation is now funding transportation for qualifying residents once a month to the South County Outreach food pantry where they can get a week's worth of food, thereby helping them stretch limited budgets.
Careful monitoring of these new initiatives will take place during the coming years. To learn more about other Foundation programs and activities, please go to our website at foundationoflagunawoodsvillage.org. Donations can also be sent to the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
Volunteers Needed
“Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.” Volunteers are the backbone of the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village. And we need new volunteers to join the Board of the Foundation to sustain its activities and contributions to the Village. We are currently looking for volunteers who can back up our current Board members. We will fill positions as they become available with applicants having the needed skills.
Why should someone volunteer? The Foundation provides a needed function in the Village, and participation on its Board gives an extraordinary sense of fulfillment – you know you are helping your neighbors. Through its fundraising, the Foundation provides temporary financial assistance to Village residents in need. It also provides financial support to Village residents served by Meals on Wheels and Adult Day Care.
Who should volunteer? The Foundation needs residents with skills in business, law, web site design and management, marketing, data management, planning, and financial management. The Foundation’s all volunteer Board handles all donations, all public outreach and fundraising activities, tracks all finances, prepares annual budgets, manages its website, approves all requests for financial assistance, and makes payments directly to venders.
How can you apply to be considered for membership on the Foundation Board of Directors? Please contact the Foundation by email, thefoundation@comline.com or by phone,
949-268-2246, and we will send or email you an application so that you can be considered. The application process may also include an interview by the Board. Please remember:
“ Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.”
Needs Assessment
The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village recently received a very welcome surprise. We are the beneficiary of a bequest left by a Village resident. As a result, while we continue to provide temporary financial support to needy residents vetted by Social Services, we have a special opportunity to address additional needs in the Village on a short term basis. To do this properly, we welcome your input concerning unmet needs in the Village that you think could benefit from this special Foundation assistance.
The Board of the Foundation is also exploring this issue, and we welcome your thoughts as well about some of the possibilities currently being considered including:
(1) underwriting the start-up of a respite program for frail Village residents,
(2) assessing the feasibility of a handyman program for Village residents who cannot afford such services,
(3) increasing transportation assistance for needy residents beyond present limits,
(4) increasing funding for weekend coverage for the meals on wheels programs, and
(5) providing assistance for hearing aids for residents who meet Social Services criteria for financial assistance.
Please let us know your thoughts – we need and welcome your input. Please contact the Foundation by email, thefoundation@comline.com; by phone, 949-268-2246; or by mail, The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654. Thank you your continued support and interest.
The Board of the Foundation is also exploring this issue, and we welcome your thoughts as well about some of the possibilities currently being considered including:
(1) underwriting the start-up of a respite program for frail Village residents,
(2) assessing the feasibility of a handyman program for Village residents who cannot afford such services,
(3) increasing transportation assistance for needy residents beyond present limits,
(4) increasing funding for weekend coverage for the meals on wheels programs, and
(5) providing assistance for hearing aids for residents who meet Social Services criteria for financial assistance.
Please let us know your thoughts – we need and welcome your input. Please contact the Foundation by email, thefoundation@comline.com; by phone, 949-268-2246; or by mail, The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654. Thank you your continued support and interest.
Club Donations
Club donations provide a cornerstone of support for the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village. As a result we encourage every club and organization to support the Foundation through collections, special events, and/or spreading the word. Funding helps the Foundation continue to help those who need temporary financial assistance, for example, in the form of "grocery cards," medical or pharmacy co-pays, taxi vouchers, or caregiver help.
To illustrate, do you remember the old adage "a stitch in time saves nine?" Well the "stitchers" of the Sewing Supers save more than stitches--they help our friends and neighbors with emergency support by donating to the Foundation. Since 2007 the Sewing Supers have been donating money raised by residents purchasing yards of donated material at a very reasonable price. At $2/yard for fabric they have funded the Foundation and other Village causes to the tune of $17,800. That is a lot of stitches and a lot of heart.
The Men's Golf Club of Laguna Woods also has a lot of heart. Each year this club hosts a golf outing with the Foundation as their designated charity. This year the golf outing was held on May 14, with 190 participants. With the assistance of sponsors, a silent auction and player fees, the Men's Golf Club raised $19,254 for the Foundation--this club is one of the Foundation's "super heroes."
Another example is the Sunshine Performance Club. During the past several years, this club has raised significant funds for the Foundation through its special holiday performances, and this year will host both matinee and evening performances of local Village talent on July 30th in Clubhouse Three.
If your club wishes, a Foundation member will provide a short program for your meeting outlining the Foundation goals and answer any questions that arise. Please contact the Foundation by e-mail, thefoundation@comline.com, or by phone, 949-268-2246. As the Foundation of Laguna Woods begins its 20th year of serving the Village, we wish to thank you in advance for your support.
To illustrate, do you remember the old adage "a stitch in time saves nine?" Well the "stitchers" of the Sewing Supers save more than stitches--they help our friends and neighbors with emergency support by donating to the Foundation. Since 2007 the Sewing Supers have been donating money raised by residents purchasing yards of donated material at a very reasonable price. At $2/yard for fabric they have funded the Foundation and other Village causes to the tune of $17,800. That is a lot of stitches and a lot of heart.
The Men's Golf Club of Laguna Woods also has a lot of heart. Each year this club hosts a golf outing with the Foundation as their designated charity. This year the golf outing was held on May 14, with 190 participants. With the assistance of sponsors, a silent auction and player fees, the Men's Golf Club raised $19,254 for the Foundation--this club is one of the Foundation's "super heroes."
Another example is the Sunshine Performance Club. During the past several years, this club has raised significant funds for the Foundation through its special holiday performances, and this year will host both matinee and evening performances of local Village talent on July 30th in Clubhouse Three.
If your club wishes, a Foundation member will provide a short program for your meeting outlining the Foundation goals and answer any questions that arise. Please contact the Foundation by e-mail, thefoundation@comline.com, or by phone, 949-268-2246. As the Foundation of Laguna Woods begins its 20th year of serving the Village, we wish to thank you in advance for your support.
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Leaving a Legacy
“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” Those are the words of a great American forefather, William Penn.
Soon you will receive the Spring fundraising letter from the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village. Your donations help the Foundation respond to the emergency financial needs of Village residents, such as medication, utility bills, food cards, nursing care, medical and dental bills, thereby helping the Foundation to fulfill its mission of providing temporary financial aid to Laguna Woods residents in need. Age is no barrier to donating. Recently, Elsie De Lucia, age 102, a 43 year resident, sent in a sizable donation to the Foundation.
Included with the materials is also an insert suggesting that you can leave a bequest to continue the Foundation mission. It will cost you nothing today, but specifying a continuing donation in a will or trust to the Foundation can mean emergency help to residents for years to come.
Please remember as well that retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k) and 403(b) plans can be subject to ordinary income tax and estate tax: from 40 to 60 percent can go to taxes if left to your heirs. Retirement plan assets left to the Foundation will transfer tax free. In planning your estate, consider leaving your retirement plan to a charity such as the Foundation and leave more favorably-fixed assets to your family. Please be sure to discuss any IRA-related actions with your CPA, financial or professional tax advisor before acting.
If you feel that any of these giving ideas are appropriate, we suggest you call the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village at (949) 268-2246 or your financial and/or legal advisor.
Soon you will receive the Spring fundraising letter from the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village. Your donations help the Foundation respond to the emergency financial needs of Village residents, such as medication, utility bills, food cards, nursing care, medical and dental bills, thereby helping the Foundation to fulfill its mission of providing temporary financial aid to Laguna Woods residents in need. Age is no barrier to donating. Recently, Elsie De Lucia, age 102, a 43 year resident, sent in a sizable donation to the Foundation.
Included with the materials is also an insert suggesting that you can leave a bequest to continue the Foundation mission. It will cost you nothing today, but specifying a continuing donation in a will or trust to the Foundation can mean emergency help to residents for years to come.
Please remember as well that retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k) and 403(b) plans can be subject to ordinary income tax and estate tax: from 40 to 60 percent can go to taxes if left to your heirs. Retirement plan assets left to the Foundation will transfer tax free. In planning your estate, consider leaving your retirement plan to a charity such as the Foundation and leave more favorably-fixed assets to your family. Please be sure to discuss any IRA-related actions with your CPA, financial or professional tax advisor before acting.
If you feel that any of these giving ideas are appropriate, we suggest you call the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village at (949) 268-2246 or your financial and/or legal advisor.
Meals on Wheels
No senior citizen in Laguna Woods Village should go hungry because their physical condition prevents them from preparing meals on their own, going out for meals, or they lack assistance in shopping for food or preparing food. There is a program serving seniors in Laguna Woods Village to meet this need, the Age Well Meals on Wheels Program. The meals provided by this program are designed by a Registered Dietitian and consist of a hot, ready to eat meal at midday, as well as a cold meal for later in the day, and a breakfast meal for the next morning, delivered Monday through Friday each week (but not on weekends or holidays). If there is a documented need, frozen meals can also be provided for the weekend. But most important, the meals are delivered right to the person’s home.
If the senior citizen is at least 60 years of age, homebound, and cannot prepare their own meals, they can register for this program by calling the Florence Sylvester Senior Center at 949-380-0155, exts. 12 and 13. Once a request for homebound meals is received, meals can usually be delivered within two days. In addition to an initial screening over the telephone, an assessment by a program staff person will be made at the recipient’s home within two weeks. There is a suggested donation of $7.50 per day for the three meals, but no one who is eligible is turned away because of an inability to pay.
The meals are delivered each day by trained volunteers, who not only deliver the food but provide a daily contact. In that way, if there is a change in the recipient’s condition or a safety problem, it can be quickly identified. Meals on Wheels volunteers have actually saved lives by providing this important contact, for example finding someone who fell over the weekend when they arrived on Monday.
At present approximately 150-175 residents in Laguna Woods Village receive meals on wheels. Covering 23 routes, nearly 200 volunteers are involved in packing and delivering meals each week, and many organizations in the Village provide volunteers.
The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village provides financial assistance to Age Well’s Meals on Wheels Program for Village participants. For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246.
VOLUNTEER POWER
uring the past year, donations to the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village have ensured that a safety net was there for our neighbors. After undergoing multiple hospital stays and confronted by overwhelming medication bills, one neighbor recently wrote: “How fortunate we are here . . . to have an organization such as yours that we can turn to for help in coping with unexpected situations.” More than 91 cents of each dollar spent by the Foundation goes directly to benefit Village residents, since the day to day operations of The Foundation are provided by an all- volunteer board. Volunteers have set up the Foundation website which provides information about its mission, its board of directors, the many generous donors, and Village club support for the Foundation. Check out the website at www.foundationoflagunawoodsvillage.org. Volunteers also handle all donations to the Foundation, keeping track of monies contributed, sending out tributes as requested, and acknowledging all donations for tax purposes. Other volunteers handle all Foundation public outreach and fundraising activities. The appeal letter that goes out each spring and fall is drafted by volunteers who also handle the logistics related to the mailing. Members of the Board are available to speak to any club that requests a speaker and regularly visit GRF, United, and Third Mutual meetings, as well as speak to new residents at the monthly get-togethers. Further, another Board member keeps track of all finances, posting monthly income and expense statements, preparing a yearly budget, and keeping track of all outlays. Finally, still other volunteers review each request from Social Services for temporary financial assistance to residents, checking to see that do not exceed the $2000 a year individual cap and meet other Foundation requirements. Foundation aid can take the form of assistance with utility bills, telephone service, needed prescriptions, or paying for medical, dental, or respite care. Once approved, payments are made directly to the vendors involved. For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246.
THE FOUNDATION: HOW IT STARTED
The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village is the “Helping Hand” that often makes a difference in the lives of needy Village residents, and since 1997 almost two million dollars has been distributed. With the filing of its Articles of Incorporation, the adoption of bylaws, the election of officers, and the establishment of a bank account, the Foundation officially began in May 1997, in part due to resident financial problems after a flood. The first President was Reverend Thomas Jorde, and the Secretary was, and continues to be, Diane Howard. At that first meeting, it was also decided that the Foundation would file to become a 501(c)(3) or California not-for-profit charity, so that donations would be tax deductible. From the beginning, the Foundation was also intended to be separate from any government organization in the Village.
By September 1997 there were twelve members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. During 1997 and 1998, a process for having applications screened by the Social Services Department was developed ensuring anonymity of recipients, and fundraising began. In September 1998, it was reported that the Foundation’s bank account balance was $20,631.39, and in February 1999 it was reported that over 1,000 individual gifts had been made to the Foundation during that past year. What began 18 years ago continues with your generous support during these challenging times.
Today the mission of the Foundation continues to be providing needy Village residents with temporary financial assistance using the funds donated by individuals and clubs. During 2014, donations totaled over $100,000, and 180 emergency requests for temporary financial assistance were provided for. In comparison, in 2013 there were 115 such requests handled. In addition, 245 grocery cards were provided for those who had trouble stretching their budgets to cover basic food costs in 2014. For those with transportation needs and very limited resources, 85 taxi vouchers were also funded by the Foundation in 2014. Funds were provided as well for Village residents who needed day care and homebound meal services. The Foundation, with the assistance of the Social Services Department, continues to be a Village safety net for residents. For questions, and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246.
ADULT DAY CARE AVAILABLE
It is estimated that one out of nine Americans over age 65 has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior which may start slowly but get worse over time, making it difficult for those affected to handle activities of daily life, while also putting enormous pressure on caregivers. For those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in Laguna Woods Village, finding a program which can address their needs is essential. There is such a program, South County Adult Day Care (SCADS), operated by Age Well Senior Services, located right near Gate 14 at 24300 El Toro Road, Bld. A. For additional information or to arrange a tour, please call 949-855-9444. SCADS is both a licensed adult day health care program as well as a social day care center. The center provides services to help participants remain active, independent, and stay out of institutional care. SCADS assists frail and/or disabled adults who need supervision, structured activities, and/or health care monitoring. The program includes nursing services, door to door transportation, continental breakfast, hot lunch, afternoon snack, and therapeutic activities, assistance in self-care activities, and physical, occupational, and speech therapies designed to maintain function. Program costs can be paid by Medi-Cal/Cal-Optima, some long term care insurance policies, VA benefits, and/or private pay. No one is turned away from the program, and grants and scholarships are available to help defray costs. Additionally, SCADS offers a monthly Caregiver Support Group which is open to the public. To participate, you do not have to have someone enrolled in SCADS, and respite care is provided for those needing it. Please call 949-855-9444 to learn more about the group or to attend.
When Electricity Bills Overtake Your Budget
There are many ways to qualify for this program. You can be eligible if you are already on Medi-Cal or Medicade, if you receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or if you receive Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance. An alternative way to qualify is based on income. If there are 1 or 2 persons in a household earning a total combined annual income up to $31,860 and your home has its own electricity meter, you may also qualify.
Southern California Edison also offers an Energy Savings Assistance Program to help people conserve energy and save money. For income-qualified individuals, Southern California Edison may also provide free appliances and installation of energy-efficient refrigerators, air conditions, and more as well as home efficiency recommendations. In some instances, a co-payment may be required.
To request an application form, to see if you may qualify, and more information, please contact your utility company or check out their websites for more information. One website you can consult is www.sce.com/care.
Another source of help is The Foundation which provides temporary financial assistance to needy Village residents. All a person has to do is contact Social Services at 949-597-4267 to see if they qualify. Foundation assistance can mean buying groceries, keeping the electricity on, continuing telephone service, paying for a needed prescription, or paying for medical, dental, or respite care. For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246.
THE FOUNDATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE
The Foundation of Laguna Woods makes a difference, and donations to the Foundation make a difference. For Village residents in need when money runs out, Foundation assistance can mean keeping the electricity on, continuing telephone service, paying for a needed prescription, or just buying food for the end of the month when money runs out. It is the “Helping Hand” that often makes a difference in the lives of needy Village residents.
During 2014, the Foundation stepped in and provided temporary financial assistance for 180 requests for emergency help after these requests were screened by the Social Services Department. In comparison, in 2013 there were 115 such requests. In addition, 245 grocery “cash” cards were provided for those who had trouble stretching their budgets to cover basic food costs compared to 180 in 2013. For those with transportation needs and very limited resources, 85 taxi vouchers were also funded by the Foundation in 2014. Funds continue to provide as well for Village residents who needday care services and meal services. None of this would have been possible without the generous donations of Village residents.
For more information about The Foundation, please review its website, www.lagunawoodsvillagefoundation.com. The office is located at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center on El Toro Road. There is a drop box for donations across from the office (first right after the elevators), or you can send donations to: The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
During 2014, the Foundation stepped in and provided temporary financial assistance for 180 requests for emergency help after these requests were screened by the Social Services Department. In comparison, in 2013 there were 115 such requests. In addition, 245 grocery “cash” cards were provided for those who had trouble stretching their budgets to cover basic food costs compared to 180 in 2013. For those with transportation needs and very limited resources, 85 taxi vouchers were also funded by the Foundation in 2014. Funds continue to provide as well for Village residents who needday care services and meal services. None of this would have been possible without the generous donations of Village residents.
For more information about The Foundation, please review its website, www.lagunawoodsvillagefoundation.com. The office is located at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center on El Toro Road. There is a drop box for donations across from the office (first right after the elevators), or you can send donations to: The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
When Food Runs Out
What do you do when there are only four cans of food left in the pantry and no money in the monthly budget to buy more? Unfortunately this is a problem that does happen to some of our neighbors. One of the sources of help is The Foundation which provides grocery cards to needy Village residents. All they have to do is contact Social Services at 949-597-4267 to see if they qualify. Foundation assistance can also mean keeping the electricity on, continuing telephone service, paying for a needed prescription, or paying for medical, dental, or respite care.
Another source of help is the South County Outreach Food Pantry located at 7 Whatney, Irvine, CA 92618. Local residents can receive assistance from the Food Pantry once a month, and the Pantry is open on Monday Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For eligibility information, please call 949-380-8144, ext. 220.
Saddleback Church also operates a food pantry in the Village on the fourth (4th) Wednesday of each month in Clubhouse 7. For more information or eligibility, please call Vicki Cox at 949-609-8574.
The Crossline Food Pantry. located at the Crossline Church on Moulton Parkway in Laguna Hills, is available as well to South Orange County residents in need. It offers free food three days a week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information, please contact Crossline Church at 949-916-0250.
For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246. The number goes to the office voicemail, and an effort is made to check messages every day. The Foundation office is located at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. There is a drop box for donations across from the office (first right after the elevators), or donations can be sent to: The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
Another source of help is the South County Outreach Food Pantry located at 7 Whatney, Irvine, CA 92618. Local residents can receive assistance from the Food Pantry once a month, and the Pantry is open on Monday Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For eligibility information, please call 949-380-8144, ext. 220.
Saddleback Church also operates a food pantry in the Village on the fourth (4th) Wednesday of each month in Clubhouse 7. For more information or eligibility, please call Vicki Cox at 949-609-8574.
The Crossline Food Pantry. located at the Crossline Church on Moulton Parkway in Laguna Hills, is available as well to South Orange County residents in need. It offers free food three days a week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information, please contact Crossline Church at 949-916-0250.
For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246. The number goes to the office voicemail, and an effort is made to check messages every day. The Foundation office is located at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. There is a drop box for donations across from the office (first right after the elevators), or donations can be sent to: The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
THANKS TO THE FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTORS
Thanks to The Foundation and “those very generous neighbors making donations for the food and gasoline that we were recently given. We had no gasoline and were down to our last piece of Kleenex and a few canned goods.” “It is humbling … to seek assistance from strangers . . . . Please accept my heartfelt thanks for assisting me with my phone bills. I am most grateful.” “Thank you for all your help and support. . . . we never [k]new how much Cancer would cost! Hopefully we will be able to repay the favor in the future.” “Your kindness . . . . meant more to me than you’d ever guess.”
These are some of the “thank-you” notes that the Foundation recently received for the temporary financial assistance it provides to Village neighbors in need. To illustrate, during the month of April, 12 “grocery” cards were distributed as well as 11 “gas” cards. The Foundation also assisted with electric and telephone bills; paid hospital, radiology, pharmacy, and home health care bills; and even helped with DMV renewal fees and home repairs. Over $8,700 in direct temporary financial assistance was provided to residents in April. All requests for financial assistance are screened by Social Services staff, and funds are paid directly to the vendor. All requests for assistance are also kept confidential.
For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246. The number goes to the office voicemail, and an effort is made to check messages every day. The Foundation office is located at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. There is a drop box for donations across from the office (first right after the elevators), or donations can be sent to: The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
These are some of the “thank-you” notes that the Foundation recently received for the temporary financial assistance it provides to Village neighbors in need. To illustrate, during the month of April, 12 “grocery” cards were distributed as well as 11 “gas” cards. The Foundation also assisted with electric and telephone bills; paid hospital, radiology, pharmacy, and home health care bills; and even helped with DMV renewal fees and home repairs. Over $8,700 in direct temporary financial assistance was provided to residents in April. All requests for financial assistance are screened by Social Services staff, and funds are paid directly to the vendor. All requests for assistance are also kept confidential.
For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246. The number goes to the office voicemail, and an effort is made to check messages every day. The Foundation office is located at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. There is a drop box for donations across from the office (first right after the elevators), or donations can be sent to: The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
The Foundation Joins the Computer Age
Like us on Facebook. Visit The Foundation’s website. The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village has joined the computer age to help it fulfill its mission of providing temporary financial assistance to Village residents in need. By liking the Foundation on Facebook, village residents show their support of the Foundation. According to CeCe Sloan, “the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village is vital for helping those who need a little help.”
On The Foundation’s website, www.lagunawoodsvillagefoundation.com, you can learn more about the Foundation, including its mission statement, its Board of Directors, and related financial facts and figures. You can also check out the “Generous Donors” for recognition of clubs that have made substantial contributions. You will find photos of the Laguna Woods Men’s Golf Club, the Korean American Club, the Rock and Rollers, and the PC Club, among others. By clicking on “Donate,” you can also donate using either Paypal or a credit card.
Donations can also be made to The Foundation via the “Amazon Smile” Program located at www.smile.amazon.com. When you shop via computer from Amazon you can designate The Foundation of Laguna Woods as your charity of choice, and a percentage of the purchase price will be donated to The Foundation without extra charge.
For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246. The number goes to the office voicemail, and an effort is made to check messages daily. The Foundation office is located at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. There is a drop box for donations across from the office (first right after the elevators), or donations can be sent to: The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654. Social Services is also only a phone call away: 949-597-4267. Through them The Foundation can help you or someone you know.
On The Foundation’s website, www.lagunawoodsvillagefoundation.com, you can learn more about the Foundation, including its mission statement, its Board of Directors, and related financial facts and figures. You can also check out the “Generous Donors” for recognition of clubs that have made substantial contributions. You will find photos of the Laguna Woods Men’s Golf Club, the Korean American Club, the Rock and Rollers, and the PC Club, among others. By clicking on “Donate,” you can also donate using either Paypal or a credit card.
Donations can also be made to The Foundation via the “Amazon Smile” Program located at www.smile.amazon.com. When you shop via computer from Amazon you can designate The Foundation of Laguna Woods as your charity of choice, and a percentage of the purchase price will be donated to The Foundation without extra charge.
For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246. The number goes to the office voicemail, and an effort is made to check messages daily. The Foundation office is located at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. There is a drop box for donations across from the office (first right after the elevators), or donations can be sent to: The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654. Social Services is also only a phone call away: 949-597-4267. Through them The Foundation can help you or someone you know.
GIVE A LEGACY OF CARING
Why consider naming the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village as beneficiary for a portion of your estate? The answer is simple. Your legacy contribution helps sustain an organization that cares for your friends and neighbors when they hit hard times by providing temporary financial assistance.
Many of you already contribute because you understand what the Foundation has been able to do over the past 18 years. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity that takes care of our community by providing a financial safety net. Since its beginnings, it has distributed nearly $2 million to Village residents in need because of the generosity of our neighbors. Because the Foundation is operated by volunteers and its overhead is minimal, nearly 91 cents of every dollar donated benefits our friends and neighbors. All requests for financial assistance are screened by Social Services staff and then submitted to the Foundation when all other means of assistance are exhausted. Funds are paid directly to the vendor, and all requests for assistance are kept confidential.
One of the highest levels of charity is to give without knowing the recipient and without having them know who provided the aid. Please continue to support the Foundation while you are among us, but also consider adding the Foundation to your estate plans so your legacy can continue to support your friends and neighbors in need. It’s a legacy of caring.
Check out the Foundation’s website, www.lagunawoodsvillagefoundation.com, and remember by clicking on “donate,” you can also donate using either Paypal or a credit card.
For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246 or email us at thefoundation@comline.com. The Foundation office is located at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. There is a drop box for donations across from the office (first right after the elevators), or donations can be sent to: The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
Many of you already contribute because you understand what the Foundation has been able to do over the past 18 years. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity that takes care of our community by providing a financial safety net. Since its beginnings, it has distributed nearly $2 million to Village residents in need because of the generosity of our neighbors. Because the Foundation is operated by volunteers and its overhead is minimal, nearly 91 cents of every dollar donated benefits our friends and neighbors. All requests for financial assistance are screened by Social Services staff and then submitted to the Foundation when all other means of assistance are exhausted. Funds are paid directly to the vendor, and all requests for assistance are kept confidential.
One of the highest levels of charity is to give without knowing the recipient and without having them know who provided the aid. Please continue to support the Foundation while you are among us, but also consider adding the Foundation to your estate plans so your legacy can continue to support your friends and neighbors in need. It’s a legacy of caring.
Check out the Foundation’s website, www.lagunawoodsvillagefoundation.com, and remember by clicking on “donate,” you can also donate using either Paypal or a credit card.
For questions and to reach The Foundation, please call 949-268-2246 or email us at thefoundation@comline.com. The Foundation office is located at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. There is a drop box for donations across from the office (first right after the elevators), or donations can be sent to: The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Hills, CA 92654.
THE FOUNDATION’S ALL VOLUNTEER BOARD
More than 91 cents of each dollar spent by the Foundation goes directly to benefit Village residents, since the day to day operations of The Foundation are provided by an all volunteer board. It is their time and expertise that helps The Foundation meet its goal of providing temporary financial assistance to Village residents. The Board members have diverse backgrounds and extensive experience in many fields:
Christine Collins, career educator and a retired elementary school principal; currently active in the League of Women Voters.
Margot Gilison, Secretary - experience in advertising and financial planning; volunteers at South County Outreach.
Joel Goldstein, Ph.D., social psychologist, retired professor and executive with several US Public Health Service agencies.
Joan Grampp, retired teacher who also worked with the St. Vincent de Paul charity.
Marti Hack, experienced in hotels, technology, professional fundraising and non-profit administration.
Kenneth Hirsch, JD - law professor
C.C. Lee, Ph.D., - Aerospace Scientist, retired management executive and chief engineering with several national defense industries.
Pat Leftwich, Treasurer - Over 20 years experience in Human Resources Management for a large pharmaceutical company.
Beth Perak, Ph.D., Vice-President - administrative experience in education, and an Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University.
Gael Post, MSW, LCSW-C - licensed clinical social worker
Marcy Sheinwold, J.D., President - retired attorney who was a partner in a New York law firm and law school instructor.
Susan Thomas, over 20 years of experience in the business world and with information technology.
Toni Verning, 50 years of executive administrative experience, extensive volunteer service.
Ann Worley, extensive experience in journalism, advertising, public relations, and non-profit healthcare agencies.
Christine Collins, career educator and a retired elementary school principal; currently active in the League of Women Voters.
Margot Gilison, Secretary - experience in advertising and financial planning; volunteers at South County Outreach.
Joel Goldstein, Ph.D., social psychologist, retired professor and executive with several US Public Health Service agencies.
Joan Grampp, retired teacher who also worked with the St. Vincent de Paul charity.
Marti Hack, experienced in hotels, technology, professional fundraising and non-profit administration.
Kenneth Hirsch, JD - law professor
C.C. Lee, Ph.D., - Aerospace Scientist, retired management executive and chief engineering with several national defense industries.
Pat Leftwich, Treasurer - Over 20 years experience in Human Resources Management for a large pharmaceutical company.
Beth Perak, Ph.D., Vice-President - administrative experience in education, and an Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University.
Gael Post, MSW, LCSW-C - licensed clinical social worker
Marcy Sheinwold, J.D., President - retired attorney who was a partner in a New York law firm and law school instructor.
Susan Thomas, over 20 years of experience in the business world and with information technology.
Toni Verning, 50 years of executive administrative experience, extensive volunteer service.
Ann Worley, extensive experience in journalism, advertising, public relations, and non-profit healthcare agencies.