Whistlestop Express June 2020

JUNE 2020 whistlestop.org Marin’s Older Adult Community Connection Since 1954

Pg 4: Connecting Neighborhoods and Neighbors Pg 9: Meet a Few of Our New Volunteers Pg 11: Creative Social Distance Celebrations

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info@whistlestop.org

Laurence Suter-Gunn Programs Director lsuter-gunn@whistlestop.org

WHISTLESTOP PERSPECTIVE

Jennifer Golbus

Working together Stronger together

Marketing Strategist jgolbus@whistlestop.org

, CEO

Development Director info@whistlestop.org

Programs Director lsuter-gunn@whistlestop.org

Whistlestop Express Editors 916.751.9189 john.bowman58@gmail.com

, Volunteer Manager volunteer@whistlestop.org

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President Vice President Treasurer Secretary

Advertising dmccoy@pacificsun.com Advertising mmisz@pacificsun.com Production kara@metroactive.com

Publisher rolson@pacificsun.com

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Marketing Strategist jgolbus@whistlestop.org

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e de dow John and Val Bowman 14/2 14 Whistlestop Express Editors year 916.751.9189 home, long an e john.bowman58@gmail.com WHISTLESTOP WHISTLESTOP PERSPECTIVE since our young Laurie Vermont Volunteer Manager think of crew as, the perfect fortunate to serve with 930Dennis Tamalpais Avenue Ryan San Rafael, CA 94901 volunteer@whistlestop.org away, is simply illustration ofneed the affordable power housing, and an amazing board, a bittersweet goodbye Board President www.whistlestop.org Dennis Ryan, journey, leaving the house that there is a shortfall of of strong communication management team and Main office open M-F 9am-5pm Whistlestop Board we called home the past hundreds of assisted living forPresident two people. he worst of times Front Desk – 415.456.9062 and coordination, everyone staff that is working day BOARD OF DIRECTORS 28 years.

It’s also been and memory care units to brings out Transportationusually – 415.454.0902 pulling same and night to ensuregreat thatfun to explore rooms our in themeet work towe didn’ the 2030 demand. There is much Meals on Wheels – 415.457.4636 the best in all of us.

President Dennis Ryan, direction with the same new neighborhood near we support you in this One small part of the do in the coming months, Help Desk – 415.459.6700 History has demonstrated of the yard tha resource@whistlestop.org downtown San Rafael. solution in Marin Beth Reizman, Vicestronger President purpose.

Theyhousing are time of need. Thankfully, but we have an amazing To receive Express by email this the time and time again as I can’t help but wonder toare support, together, and is so we. fund, and organization here.

Tom Bonomi, Treasurer our organization has put Our sign up at whistlestop.org. For saw, and decad how much harder it would streamline the process we’ve endured wars, annual subscription mailed toworld your It’s easy to forget that not together a great framework Fabia Butler, Secretary board is top-notch, our be to do this if we were to create more accessory home, send $10 to Whistlestop. economic ups and downs to repr everyone has dwelling the resources over the years. Ourinboard areseemed fully Sharon our 70s or 80s?

What Jackson units. The new volunteers units and political WHISTLESTOP STAFF and social they need to enjoy members are committed options are there for older committed to our can be aforhealthy, a caregiver, a family Robert Sonnenberg wemission weren’t wat Joe strife.

O’Hehir peopleas in Marin as their life. Right member the homeowner, active now,orthe to serve the community and our staff continues to YvonneWhen Roberts we work together, Cynthia Wuthmann lifestyles change?

Will who canfor then rent out the of all, we had a community’s needs ambassadors at large. bring tremendous creativity there be enough resources main house.

In San Rafael, with purpose, we are truly

By Linda Jackson, Program nutrition, transportation As a board member for to work each day as we for people who want to Laurence Suter-Gunn deserved to be the number of new accessory Action stronger together. EveryDirector, Aging PACIFIC SUN STAFF and social interaction seven years, with over 30 figure out new ways to grow older in their home dwelling units doubled last single person, whether Initiative years of experienceand are moreMcCoy, thanyear, anyAdvertising single as an community?Danielle For those new, happy fam serve our community in and the city is on track Jennifer Golbus they are young or old, rich facing dementia or declining organization can meet. investment and financial to double that again.

We need an age of social distancing, e decided to The challeng health, will theydmccoy@pacificsun.com have what or poor, benefits from the to dobeen this across Marin! face masks and economic Whistlestop has professional downsize this in the forJohn and Val Bowman they need for safety, care The Aging Action Initiative Marianne Advertising contributions of others. And year.

Our familyand 25 years leading theMisz, way, working profit sector uncertainty. would we mov and companionship? is enthusiastic about San an a empty nest in times like this, we canhome, all long as mmisz@pacificsun.com closely volunteer with various It is my great pleasure The question for Marin with government Rafael City Council’s recent ones flew We wanted a s Laurie Vermont use a helping hand now since and our youngest agencies, funders, health nonprofit organizations, I’m and is: what percentage of support of assisted living in honor to be the Kara Brown, Production away, is simply too large residents to choose then. I truly believe that the care providers, other This new housing pleased be part of this is going president of the downtown. inWhistlestop a neighborh for two people.

Thereto were kara@metroactive.com to stay in San Rafael as BOARD OF DIRECTORS biggest rewards in life come portends well board and I am privileged nonprofits andapproval community extraordinary rooms we didn’t go into, partsorganization. they grow older?Rosemary According Olson, Dennis Ryan, Publisher for Whistlestop’s wefine can walk a leaders to ensure that thoseproposed was a member of the to know so many people that son we never Bethwhen Reizman,we join together inofathe yard My to a national survey by affordable older adult who are so committed to our Tomcommon Bonomi, rolson@pacificsun.com saw, and decades ofRowing stuff thatAssociation cause. with the greatest need are Marin AARP in 2012, about 90% of Fabia Butler, to restaurants housing project in downtown when SharonAt Jackson Whistlestop I am seemed to reproduce community. nottoforgotten. crew team and I like to adults intend older stay San Rafael.

We are excited Robert Sonnenberg we weren’t watching. Most in their own homes for the the movies. Af to see new housing options Cynthia Wuthmann OUR MISSION of all, we had a home that next 5 to 10 years. for older people in Marin, deserved to be full with aTRANSPORTATION PACIFIC SUN STAFF PeopleSERVICES working with searching, we EXPRESS especiallyWHISTLESTOP in places where Whistlestop believes we share a new, happy family.

Danielle McCoy, Kelly Krueger Thomas, Whistlestop Express Editors older adults aware of CarePool Volunteer Driver are Program | 415-454-0927 they can walk to services The challenge was: Where 415-235-5031 | kelly@kruegerpr.com ACTIVE AGING CENTER may be the ver to ensure all Marin the issues Access facingresponsibility people as Travel Navigators/Marin Eligibility | 415-454-0902 and shops and be part of the Marianne Misz, we move to in Marin?

930 Tamalpais Avenue | San Rafael,would CA 94901 Jennifer Golbus, Marketing & Communications Schedule a they Paratransit | 415-454-0964 growRide older.

Will there residents havecommunity. an opportunity to age Open Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM We wanted a smaller place jgolbus@whistlestop.org unit in Marin.

Cancel a Paratransit Ridefor | 415-457-4630 be housing others who Kara Brown, Aging Action Initiative is with dignity, independence and grace.

Website: whistlestop.org | Email: info@whistlestop.org in a neighborhood where want to downsize?

Will there MEMBERSHIP SUN STAFF a networkPACIFIC of more than 130 No doubt abo Rosemary Olson, we can x100 walk about, close belunch enough Guest Services Reception | 415-456-9062 Discounts on in thehousing Jackson for Caféthe and on all classes, Rosemary Olson, Publisher | rolson@pacificsun.com organizations, including to restaurants, shops, and peopleand who work in Marin programs, events room rentals.

Volunteer Opportunities | 415-456-9067 Karathat Brown, Production | kara@metroactive.com Whistlestop, addresses process of dow of –isthose whofor are caregivers, OUR MISSION Membership $20/year 60+/ $50/year for 59 under.

Resource Office | 415-459-6700 the movies. After months community issues through TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CONTACT: searching, we found what healthcare managers, Call 415-456-9062 or stop by the frontand desk for details Whistlestop believes we share a JACKSON CAFÉ daunting. It to the lens of aging. McCoy, It focuses Danielle Advertising | dmccoy@pacificsun.com may be the very last new responsibility to ensure all Marin homecare experts?

What LIKE US Monday–Friday | 11:30AM to 2:00PM on finding ways to age-inresidents have an opportunity to age Marianne Misz, Advertising | mmisz@pacificsun.com unit in Marin. about low-income people who of sorting, a m withMEAL dignity, independence grace.

OUR MISSION community, and having DELIVERY and SERVICES on Facebook No doubt about it, theWhistlestopneed affordable housing, believes we share a responsibility to economic security, a place to Whistlestop Nourish | 415-456-9062 x176 of downsizing is process or people whohave needanextra ensure all Marin residents opportunity to of millennials, call home, and transportation Meals on Wheels Eligibility (Marin County) | 415-457-4636 daunting.

It took months care, independence like assisted living or age with dignity, and grace.

LIKE US for older adults. of sorting, a moving crew memory care? The recent boxes to give a on Facebook of millennials, and many Want to receive theOlder Express at home?

Send $10 to report, Adult Housing For information, check out LIKE US on Facebook! boxes to give away andWhistlestopin forMarin: an annual deliveredfor print subscription, donate things Planning www.agingactioninitiative.org Cover Cover Art Art by: By: Missy Reynolds or sign up at whistlestop.org for a free email version.

2 facebook.com/WhistlestopMarin donate things we don’t 2030, estimated that 7,000 or contact Sami at support@ 2 older residents need anymore of today’s agingactioninitative.org. need anymore. It’s been

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By Linda Jacks Director, Aging Initiative

Meet the mass mask maker

By Kelly Krueger Thomas Whistlestop Express Editor

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Tracy Bell Redig has made over 440 masks by herself

made custom bridal gowns, altered others and created custom headpieces for over four decades in Marin.

When a long-time friend asked her to make some masks for Whistlestop volunteers and drivers, Tracy sprang into action.

She called friends who had extra fabric to donate, found the filter fabrics and worked with crafter friends who knew how to crochet masks and the needed back straps for nurses. In the

THANK YOU

To all of the healthcare assistants, doctors, community nurses and carers, paramedics, cleaners, grocery and restaurant workers, and food delivery drivers who are risking their lives as frontline workers; we thank you.

Thank you doesn't really seem like enough, but it's all we have at the moment, and we are just so incredibly grateful for you every single day.

search for that ever-elusive elastic, Tracy directed a Whistlestop staff member to a New York wholesaler that she used to buy from.

To date, we have received over 1,000+ yards of the stretchy stuff.

At the beginning of May, 1,460 mask kits were prepared for others to sew, and an astonishing 2,1000

masks have been made by a crew of 40 volunteers (443 made by Tracy herself).

These masks are worn by our drivers, staff and volunteers, and are being distributed to meal, grocery, and food pantry recipients.

For Tracy, it’s a labor of love that is very welcomed by those of us in the Whistlestop community.

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racy Bell Redig is on a mission. Since this public health issue began, she has turned out more than 1,900 masks and mask kits (prepared fabric, elastic and instructions) that are sewed by Whistlestop staff, volunteers and members of our community.

While other volunteers have also generously donated 100's of masks to us, Tracy’s productivity and passion have taken maskmaking to an entirely new level. This shouldn’t be too surprising, given her lifelong love of fashion that dates to getting paid $10 by Mattel when she sent them a Barbie wedding dress at the age of eight.

Tracy turned that childhood talent into a successful career. Over the years she’s worked at Levi’s and designed and produced costuming for SF Ballet and SF Opera productions.

She even worked on the first Victoria’s Secret catalog. Her own company, Tracy Bell Designs, has

License Number 214700009

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Connecting neighborhoods and neighbors

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ate Colin, Vice Mayor of San Rafael, wanted to find a way to stay connected as a community during COVID-19.

Her answer, the Neighborhood Toolkit program, inviting neighborhood leaders to reach out and connect in some amazing ways.

Kate Colin “Interactions are important and remind us that we are not alone,” says Vice Mayor Colin.

“The toolkit was born out of a need to help neighbors connect with one another while helping individuals discover and embrace their leadership skills.”

The Neighborhood Toolkit

helps build resiliency in the community. While the toolkit was designed with COVID-19 in mind, it will work for future crises too. The toolkit provides a way for community leaders to multiply outreach throughout the community. It is focused on connecting with those who are sheltering in place, especially with older adults who may not have the latest technology, or if they do, may not have a mastery of Zoom, FaceTime or other applications.

“The overall goal is to build connectivity in the community,” says Vice Mayor Colin. “A simple phone call can do amazing things in

promoting good mental health and lessen the feeling of loneliness and isolation many of us are feeling right now.

And neighbors can connect in ways others cannot. The Toolkit allows this connection, which in turn creates a sense of community and togetherness that will get us through these difficult times.”

The secret of the program’s success is the multiplier effect.

Neighborhood leaders recruit others to divide and conquer, each person taking on five to 10 people in the neighborhood. Each group determines the best way to connect with their neighbors, using a combination of technology and good old-fashioned

interpersonal interactions to share resources, connect neighbors to city services and provide assistance to those in the community who are most vulnerable and have the greatest need.

“A good example is the library book link,” says Vice Mayor Colin. “The book is conveniently delivered via Amazon instead of having to go to the library. Someone with a second grader was so thrilled to receive something as simple as a book. People are reaching out to others in need and asking nothing in return. It has readily taken on a life of its own, allowing residents to connect with one another in so many new and interesting ways.”

For a link to the toolkit, visit: cityofsanrafael.org.

Getting Towed Never Felt So Good

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VALLEY MEMORIAL

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It’s easy to give and tax-deductible!

Help an older adult by donating a car, truck or other vehicle to Whistlestop. We’ll arrange for free and convenient pick-up.

Call 844-WSMARIN (844-976-2746) or learn more at Whistlestop.org/vehicle-donations 930 Tamalpais Avenue | San Rafael whistlestop.org

WHISTLESTOP

During Shelter In Place We are Here For You

The doors to our Active Aging Center Services may have closed when the Shelter in Place order was issued, but Whistlestop is still open, working to address the new challenges that older adults now face. We remain dedicated to you, and are working hard to expand our existing programs, and implement new ones. Below is a list of current programs. For the most up-to-date information, you can also visit our website or call us at 415-456-9062!

CaringCalls Program. Our new intergenerational program, CaringCalls,

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pairs older adults or anyone feeling isolated during this crisis, with local high school students for weekly social phone visits. Share your experiences and insights and connect with a younger member of our community – they are feeling isolated as well! Call 415-456-9062 to learn more.

Marin County’s Grocery Distribution Program is free to older adults and those with disabilities who are not receiving other food services.

Whistlestop performs intake and delivers pre-bagged groceries to homes. Call 415-456-9062 to see if you qualify for free groceries.

Funding for this program, at least in part, is made available by the Marin Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, Aging and Adult Services.

WhistleShoppers offers older adults and those with disabilities a chance to purchase their own groceries without leaving their homes or the use of a computer or mobile phone.

Our call center representative will work with you to create a detailed grocery list over the phone using the grocery website to ensure items are available. Our drivers shop for the groceries and provide free delivery. You pay only for the groceries. Call 415-456-9064 to get started.

Great Plates Marin: Whistlestop is working with the County of Marin and numerous local restaurants to provide three meals a day to individuals who qualify. Call 415-456-9073.

Check-in Calls. Our call center has called over 6,000 Marin County older adults to see how they are doing and offer referrals and resources.

Volunteers are conducting regular follow-up calls to anyone who opts in.

To start receiving check-in calls, please call 415-456-9062.

Home Delivered Meals. Whistlestop Nourish and Meals on Wheels home meal delivery services are expanding to meet increased demand. To sign up for meals for yourself or a loved one, call 415-456-9062 x176.

Marin Access Paratransit. We continue to provide daily, pre-scheduled, door-to-door bus transportation in Marin County for people needing assistance.

Drivers are disinfecting their vehicles three times per shift, wearing masks and changing gloves after each rider. Call 415-454-0964 to schedule a ride.

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Take-out Meals.

Whistlestop’s Jackson Café is offering

Free Volunteer Rides. Whistlestop’s CarePool program provides rides for older adults and people with disabilities. It has remained in continuous operation and is providing rides to medical appointments, to pharmacies and to grocery stores. Volunteer drivers are following all recommended sanitation guidelines. To schedule a ride, call 415-454-0927.

Food pantry. Whistlestop’s Brown Bag Pantry program offers free fresh produce, meats and staple food items provided from the Marin/SF Food Bank to Marin residents every Friday. Any Marin resident in need of food is welcome. Pre-packed bags of groceries are given are handed to visitors upon arrival –either drive up or walk-up. 10-11am on Friday mornings at the Whistlestop Active Aging Center. Call 415-456-9062 with questions.

nutritious, affordable meals for $6, prepared fresh daily by our culinary team and sold through our front door at the Active Aging Center, 930 Tamalpais Ave, San Rafael. M-F 11:30am – 1:00pm. No need to order in advance - just show up!

Resource Referrals.

Our team of caring staff are available to answer questions about resources from Whistlestop’s main number: 415-456-9062.

Whistlestop Virtual Classes Whistlesizers, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 - 11:40 am, Free Have your chair ready and you phone on speaker. Call 415-480-2522 just before 11 am to join the class.

Yoga, Friday 3:00 pm via Zoom, Free To find out how to attend these classes, visit Whistlestop.org/classes or call the front desk at 415-456-9062.

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THE REDWOODS

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With public events cancelled to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, we may not CULTURAL be stepping into a movie theater or a concert hall. However, many organizations RESOURCES are sharing their work through technology.

Here are some Bay Area events that you can live-stream and enjoy from your home.

Buck Institute

These recent conversations at the Buck bring together colleagues inside and outside of the Buck who have important perspectives on how to think about, deal with, and potentially treat this pandemic. For more info, visit: buck2020.extendedsession.com.

Golden Gate Park

MUSIC Kennedy Center Couch Concerts Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays – 1:00 pm Live-streamed performances by artists from their homes. Access on the organization’s Facebook and YouTube channel, youtube.com/ TheKennedyCenter. Performances archived for viewers to access any time at kennedy-center.org.

The 150th anniversary virtual live stream celebration includes podcasts, digital books, historic news stories, photo albums, webcams, online learning activities and more. Visit: GoldenGatePark150.com

ARTS & EXHIBITS California Academy of Sciences

Live animal webcams of the museum’s favorite creatures, “Academy Science” videos, and the “Flipside Science” series on environmental issues. 415-379-8000. Visit: calacademy.org

The Stanford University Cantor Arts Center

Online exhibition of Richard Diebenkorn’s sketchbooks, recorded lectures and oral histories by Judy Chicago, Nick Cave, Nathan Oliveira and Hunk and Moo Anderson, digitized archives of Andy Warhol’s contact sheets and negatives, works by Rodin, plus a Museum at Home portal for easy access to all online offerings. Contact 650-723-4177 or museum.stanford.edu

San Francisco Opera Saturdays 10:00 am – Midnight on Sundays San Francisco Opera will stream performances from its archives on Saturdays at 10 am Pacific time at sfopera.com and remain available until midnight the following day.

Michael Tilson Thomas’ “Keeping Score” series, nine one-hour musical documentaries and nine accompanying concert performances stream weekly for free on YouTube: youtube.com/sfsymphony

GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT Aperitivo Fridays Virtual Wine Tasting Series Fridays – 2:30 pm Wine education, vineyard insights, food pairings, etc. For more info visit: muscardinicellars.com.

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Virtual tours of de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor, as part of #MuseumFromHome. Access the entire collection online at art.famsf.org.

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art

Virtual tour of the exhibition of works by Elmer Bishoff.

Contact 415-506-0137 or marinmoca.org

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Watch videos of ongoing exhibitions. Visit: sfmoma.org

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San Francisco Symphony

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Information on food resources and other services and assistance: COMMUNITY

RESOURCES

$20 check booklets are provided to individuals 60 years of age and older who are on a limited income, allowing them to purchase fresh produce at these local farmers markets:

Monday Tomales: 9:00am – 10:00am: Main St. & Dillon Beach Rd. Point Reyes Station: 12:30pm – 1:30pm: Walnut Place, 600 A St. San Geronimo: 2:30pm – 3:30pm: San Geronimo Valley Community Center, 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Thursday San Rafael: 9:00am – 10:00am, Martinelli House, 1327 Lincoln Ave. Novato: 11:00am – 12:00pm: Marin Valley Mobile Country Club, 100 Marin Valley Dr. Marin City: 1:00pm – 2:000pm: 100 - 200 Drake Ave. San Rafael: 2:30pm – 3:30pm: Maria B. Freitas Senior Community, 455 Manuel T. Freitas Pkwy.

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To identify a variety of food resources, find the most comprehensive and up-to-date food resources by visiting: foodlocator. sfmfoodbank.org or call: 415-282-1900.

Email 457-INFO@marincounty.org or call 415-457-INFO Visit www.211.org or Dial 211 from your phone

Cal Fresh Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

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San Francisco– Marin Food Bank

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Rollin’ Root Seniors Discounted Produce

Rollin’ Root mobile farmers market program serves an increased number of homebound seniors. For help with transportation to a Rollin' Root farmers market or if you would like to have a volunteer shop for you and deliver to your home, call: 707-634-4672.

Marin City: Wednesday: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Bayside MLK, 200 Phillips Dr. San Geronimo: Thursday: 12 pm – 2 pm, San Geronimo Valley Community Center, 1 Lagunitas School Rd. San Rafael: Saturday: 10am – 2pm, Kerner Drive-through Pantry, 2550 Kerner Blvd.

Jewish Family and Children’s Services

Older Adult and Disabled Care—For immediate assistance please call 415-449-3700.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

This program of Marin HHS supports people who are at risk of homelessness and need rental assistance to prevent eviction due to a loss of income from the COVID-19 pandemic. Please email covid-19@marincounty.org or call at 415-473-7191.

If you have questions about the emergency ban on evictions contact Housing and Federal Grants Division staff by email or telephone at 415473-7309. An FAQ and additional materials is available at marincounty.org/ renterlandlord

Covia Well Connected

Well Connected members call in via a toll-free number at a set time each week, with some groups also offering the option to connect via computer, tablet, or mobile device. Most groups last 30 minutes to an hour with around 12 participants. Newcomers are always welcome! If you don’t feel like talking at first, you’re welcome to just listen as long as you’ve let the group know you’re there. To register call, 877-797-7299 or coviaconnections@covia.org.

Family Caregiver Alliance

These webinars provide guidance, strategies and resources for those who provide care to an individual living with a chronic or disabling health condition. Whether you are a family, friend or professional caregiver, you’ll find tailored information on a variety of caregiving topics from daily care and care planning to self-care and specialized subjects. Webinar speakers include physician, nurses, social workers, business leaders and professionals in the legal, mental health and other fields. Recordings average 1 hour each and are free to stream.

Visit: caregiver.org/fca-webinars

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Volunteering in challenging times

By Kelly Krueger Thomas Whistlestop Express Editor

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Volunteer Profile:

EMILY ROBERTS The call to service comes from many places. In the case of Emily Roberts, it came from a need to help, even in a time when stayat-home orders and social distancing have become the norm.

Robbie Kruithoff

studies his route for the day.

He admits that some of his clients have been startled when a man in gloves and mask shows up at their door, but they quickly warm to him when he says he’s from Whistlestop. “At times, we are the only people they see in a day and it means more than we could know,” he says. “To be seen, to be heard, to know that we are truly never alone is so meaningful, especially in these times of social distancing.”

Volunteering has always been in Robbie’s blood.

Over the years he has been

involved with the United Nations Association of Tampa Bay, St. Vinnies in St. Petersburg and Habitat for Humanity. He grew up the son of two Pentecostal ministers in Australia who exposed him to the importance of giving to others as a child.

To the new generation of volunteers, Robbie passes on this advice: “To know you have positively impacted someone else’s life by the simple act of delivering food takes very little effort, but the personal reward is hard to believe and makes every moment of volunteering worth it.”

“I went to the city’s website to see how I could help and Whistlestop had posted a need to help get food to people’s homes,“ Emily says. “It seemed like an easy and natural way to make a difference and get some guilt-free exercise at the same time.”

Currently, Emily delivers meals one day and groceries on another. It takes her about four to five hours to do her route at Whistlestop, which covers the homes of eight or nine clients each time.

“It’s rewarding to feel that at least in some way, you’re making things better, even if it's just a tiny bit. One client told me it was like getting a care package from home every week when she was at camp.”

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obbie Kruithoff knows the importance of food security on a very personal level. He still remembers what it feels like to not know where the next meal will come from. And he will never forget the compassion others have shown him throughout his life.

When he saw the opportunity to play a role in offering that same compassion and security to others, he jumped at the chance. An aspiring writer with a degree in Public Health, Robbie seems to be made for the role of Whistlestop volunteer, delivering meals to clients a couple times a week.

His career gives him the flexibility to volunteer and his education an understanding of the importance of good nutrition.

“I’ve been very fortunate during this pandemic,” says Robbie. “My husband still has a job and we have a roof over our heads and food on the table. This isn’t the case for many right now. I just couldn’t let my car gather dust in the garage knowing there were people in need.”

Robbie arrives in the morning to load his car up with premade meals and

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Are you ready for a Transition?

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Contact me today!

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Senior Real Estate Specialist Misha.Villere@CorcoranGL.com 415.505.3851 • Lic# 02052811

A community treasure

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histlestop and the community at large experienced a great loss with the passing of Beth Ashley last month.

Beth, who passed away just shy of her 94th birthday, served on the board of Whistlestop for more than 20 years and was a columnist for the Marin Independent Journal. To many of her dedicated readers, she embodied the Journal.

Long before there were reality shows on television, there was Beth’s column, where she invited the public into her life to follow along

in all the joys, heartache and adventures she shared each week.

Her signature style was airy and free flowing, a conversational style that took readers with her as she traveled to Tahoe with her family, vacationed in far away, exotic locales, navigated motherhood, and dealt humorously and honestly with the world as it changed around her.

She was a woman ahead of her time, in many respects.

Over the course of four decades she told her readers what it was like to be a

professional woman “in a man’s world,” eventually earning her a place in Marin’s Women’s Hall of Fame.

“We are the sum of all the lives we once lived,” she wrote on the subject of aging. “We only show the grownup part, but inside we are still the laughing children, the shy teens, the dream-filled youths. There still exists, most real, the matrix of all we were or ever yearned to be.”

A fitting tribute that only she could write. Thank you Beth for all your many contributions over the years.

Creative celebrations in the time of COVD19 social distancing

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For Mother’s Day, Gayle Moore facetimed with her daughter who lives in LA at dinnertime. They cheered with glasses of wine and signed off to eat. Her special meal was delivered

by Stacey Scott Catering and 15% of the proceeds from the meal were donated to Whistelstop.

Wendy Lee was originally going to be celebrating her birthday in Boston with her husband, son and his girlfriend. Instead neighbors and friends pulled together a spontaneous socialdistancing party in the Fairfax Sequoia Road neighborhood, complete with a hand painted card, presents and cake in the middle of the street! She also got eight new chickens for her new, remodeled chicken coop and after one hour one of them laid its first egg.

Congratulations to you all! So glad you were able to find creative ways to celebrate.

Rubenstein Anniversary

Gayle Moore

Miss Pam 70th

Wendy Lee birthday

J U N E 2 0 2 0 WH IS TLES TO P E XPRESS

am Wisner, or Miss Pam to many, got quite the surprise for her 70th birthday. The initial plan was to hike in the headlands south of Muir Beach with friends who had helped her celebrate her 50th birthday topped off with a stop at the end of the day for tea at the Pelican Inn. When that fell through, friends and students decided to surprise her with a drive-by birthday parade instead. Over 20 teachers, students and their parents drove slowly by with signs and notes of celebration and praise.

For their 42nd wedding anniversary, Michael and Marcia Rubenstein were also in for a surprise.

With shelter in place, they had to cancel their usual gathering for Seder, including the order for their favorite Passover cake. Unbeknownst to the couple, it was reordered by their daughter Ashley. On the appointed day, three of their daughters met down the block from their parent’s house and told the couple to open the garage door.

The fourth daughter was FaceTimed in from Chicago.

Everyone kept their distance, but the celebration went on anyway with five of their nine grandchildren sharing the special occasion from the driveway and the other four on via video to make it a “full house,” albeit at the end of the driveway.

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Whistlestop

WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

E PRESS Marin Senior Coordinating Council 930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901-3325

SCHEDULE A RECURRING DONATION Direct your bank to automatically transfer your donation or call 415.456.9062 X4800

MAKE AN HONOR OR MEMORIAL DONATION

We will send a card in honor or memoriam in your name.

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE

Enriching our community with their generosity

By Yvonne Roberts

supporters to see how she was holding up. She told me that she was doing quite well at 85 years old, and wanted erving in the role of Donor her stimulus check to go to people more Relations, my time is spent in need than her, so she donated it to meeting with our many Whistlestop. supporters and sharing Foundation grant - We with them how they can were fortunate to make a positively impact the lives new contact at the Wells of others in our community.

Fargo Foundation in The following unsolicited January. Although we were gifts were accepted with initially discussing volunteer much gratitude, and opportunities for local demonstrate how Marin branch employees, when values Whistlestop’s mission the shelter-in-place order Yvonne Roberts and role in the community. occurred, our contact reached IRA contribution - I got out to let us know that instead, she a call from someone who wanted to had recommended Whistlestop for know our Tax ID number and official a matching grant to support our name. It turns out that this gentleman Expanded Services Fund. wanted to do something more for These gestures go beyond generosity the community and designated the --they reveal a spirit of selflessness annual distribution payment from and caring that is uplifting to witness his retirement plan as a new gift to during these challenging times. For Whistlestop. these acts of generosity and kindness, Economic Impact payment - I we are always grateful. recently called one of our longtime Whistlestop Chief Donor Relations Officer

WH IS TLES TO P E XPRESS J U N E 2 0 2 0

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We accept automobiles, boats, motorcycles, RVs etc.

Call 844.WSMARIN or 844.976.2746

DOUBLE YOUR DONATION Check with your employer to see if they will match your donation or your volunteer time.

MAKE A PLANNED GIFT

Name Whistlestop in your will, trust or as a beneficiary of an annuity, life insurance policy, IRA or retirement plan.

VOLUNTEER • Become a CarePool volunteer driver • Deliver Meals on Wheels • Serve or Cashier in the Jackson Café • Teach a class

MAIL A DONATION (Check or Credit Card) Mailing address: Whistlestop 930 Tamalpais Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 Whistlestop.org/Donate 415-456-9062 X4800