October 2007 Vol. 26. No. 10

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Day of Caring
Grand Jurors still needed
October is Mobility Month
InfoCenter moves to new Wellness Center
Two programs help pin down health issues
AniMeals
Walkathon

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Day of Caring
Making a difference through community collaboration
by Robin Wolff

Day of Caring crew at the Helen Thompson house are top row from left are Matt Avila, Vince Ramirez, and Derek Gauntlett of the Chi Phi fraternity, Chantel Galindo, Helen Thompson, Blair Harkins, Casey Ashlock and Zach Wills. In front left are three more fraternity members, Justin Bell, John Apodaca, Logan Bongiovanni, Memory Rush and Michael Karp. Photo by Robin Wolff.

The Day of Caring on Sept. 15 brought together more than 400 volunteers for dozens of diverse community projects. The day is coordinated by the Humboldt State University Service Learning Center, United Way of Humboldt County and the Volunteer Center of the Redwoods.

One 70-year-old Eureka resident, Helen Thompson, will forever remember the special meaning of this year’s Day of Caring. Thanks to a coordinated effort, Helen now has more hope to continue to live in her home of many years.

Teaming up to pitch in at her home were the Humboldt Senior Resource Center Multipurpose Senior Services Program, the Department of Health and Human Services, Older and Dependent Adults Services, Pierson’s Building Supply, HSU’s Chi Phi Fraternity, YES Golden Years and Doug Whittlinger of Doug’s Do All.

During the past few months, Helen has faced a series of unexpected financial problems. Living with health problems and on a fixed income isn’t easy, but with home-maintenance expenses it can be especially difficult. Most mobile home parks have requirements that residents adhere to rules of upkeep and maintenance. A recent park inspection determined that Helen needed to have her mobile home painted, all her window screens replaced and her yard pruned as well. Helen had no idea how she could manage this and reached out for assistance.

Early on the morning of Sept. 15, an enthusiastic group of more than a dozen young volunteers from HSU arrived at Helen’s home. They took paint brushes in hand and together worked diligently to restore the mobile home to its former sparkling condition. Pierson’s Building Supply donated all the paint, and Doug’s Do All donated time to power wash the double-wide.

Helen is like many other seniors in our community. Though generally independent, they may need some assistance from others at times. And like others in her position, Helen has discovered that when a caring community comes through with needed support at a critical time, it can make all the difference.

Because we continue to coordinate existing programs and work on identifying similar needs in the county, we can make every day into a day of caring.

Robin Wolff is program manager for the MSSP program of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center.