Administration
Letter from Heidi
Virtual Tour of FC
Covid Booster Update
Program
Veterans Day Event
Unity Shoppe Gift Exchange
Thanksgiving Event (Rosewood)
Connections
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“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~ Melody Beattie
What is gratitude? Gratitude is more than feeling thankful; it’s a deeper appreciation for someone (or something) that produces long-lasting positivity. For example, I remember holding hands with my mother while walking downtown on a cold blustery winter’s day in Iowa when I was five years old. Her soft leather gloved hand was warm to the touch and gave me such comfort, gratitude, and appreciation for her existence that I never wanted to let go. I have such fond memories of this time with my mother, and remember this event like it was yesterday.
As we say good bye to November, hello to December, and with the new year quickly approaching, I would like to extend my gratitude to all our supporters and community friends for your unwavering generosity this year. The community has been extremely helpful to us in maintaining services for our seniors and families during this most challenging time of need.
To our entire staff who have not missed a beat for the past 19 months, I applaud you! You are where the rubber meets the road, and the glue that holds everything together! Sincerely. I know I’m not alone in my sentiments, as our Board of Directors extend their gratitude too for the dedicated care you provide to our members.
That being said, during the holiday season our families and friends often ask how they can show their appreciation for the care, compassion and commitment of our exceptional staff. This year we established a holiday fund that gives you an opportunity to thank the staff by making a monetary contribution.
If you would like to contribute, please send a donation and make a note: “Friendship Center Holiday Fund.” Or, you may make a donation on our website in recognition of our staff. Your gift is distributed in the New Year with recognition of all the families and our friends who have contributed. On behalf of the Friendship Center family, thank you for your consideration and best wishes to you and your family for a festive holiday Season!
In gratitude,
Heidi
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Friendship Center Salutes Our Veterans
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Above left: WWII Army Veteran Robert (“Sir Robert”) AntoniniPFC, Philippines Field Lineman from 1945-1946. Medals: Philippine Independence Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and WWll Victory Medal. Right: Kim and Carol do the honors.
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Above left, Kim and Heidi get a hug from Manny Vasta, Korean War Navy Veteran, F2, who completed two tours of duty in Korea. Right: Joe Ewing, Air Force, Airman, stationed overseas, during peacetime,1956-1960.
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Above left: Jim W., Aviation Radar Technician, Marines, 1961—1967; Right: Marie Mackey PFC, Marines, 1949—1953.
Not pictured:
Joseph Bauer—Airman, Air Force, Rank: Airman,1966—1968
Irwin Bendet, Ph.D.—Navy, served for 1.5 years.
Peter Delevett, M.D.—Unit Commander, Army, 1969—1971, U.S. ArmyPAC, Okinawa, Japan. Honors: National Defense Service Medal.
John Weber—Radio Repairman, Air Force, 1961—1967, Served at AFRes, HQ CONAC & ARPC- 1961-1967 Honors: AFGCM, SO G-1, 1035 FAG; AFOUA, SO GB-260, & DAF.
William Rack, M.D.— Neurologist, Navy, Walter Reed Naval Hospital, nine
years.
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Virtual Walking Tour of Friendship Center Enables Off-Site Visits
Prospective members and their families may now take a virtual tour of Friendship Center. Join Heidi Holly, executive director and Kim Larsen, family services manager as they walk through each of our Montecito facility’s recreational areas, while also providing an overview of our Covid-19 safety protocols.
Click the Friendship Center logo above to watch the video on YouTube.
The video also features images of some of the fun we’re having (and have had over the years) at Friendship Center! If you or anyone you know could use a break from daily caregiving, send them the link!
For more information about enrolling, please contact Family Services Manager Kim Larsen at: kim@friendshipcentersb.org or (805) 969-0859, ext. 2.
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Above: Jacquie and Store Manager Diana Romero of J. McLaughlin
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J. McLaughlin Hosts FC Fundraiser
Once again, J. McLaughlin was kind enough to host a special fundraiser for Friendship Center. Over the three special sale days in November, Diana Romero and her team at J. McLaughlin sold $11,470 in sales, netting a check for $1,720.50 for FC.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Diana, Rosa and Jacqueline for their fabulous sales efforts which resulted in a very successful fundraising event for us.
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Rosewood Miramar & Channel Islands Post Acute Care
Donate Food, Services for ‘Friendsgiving’ Feast!
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Friendship Center enjoyed a little pre-Thanksgiving stomach exercise when it celebrated “Friendsgiving” with lunch from the Rosewood Miramar, thanks to the generosity of the Resort Director Rick Fidel. (Above)
Members and staff were serenaded with music with regular performers Oboe Sue and singer-extraordinaire Carol Ann!
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Dessert and helping hands were delivered by Channel Islands Post Acute Care, thanks to the generosity of Admissions Director Jill Ricafrente and Administrator Najib Yamak.
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Love N’ Care Donates Gift Basket, Ride Coupons
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Love ‘N Care Senior Home Care & Transportation Services provides transportation and other services like meal planning, medication assistance, companionship care and other services provided Friendship Center with a lovely gift basket along with several “Free Ride” cards. Thank you!
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Unity Shoppe Gift Exchange
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This year, Unity Shoppe, Inc. will continue its proud 25-year tradition of working with Friendship Center to ensure that our members always have a wonderful Christmas/Winter Holiday season.
Unity Shoppe provides special hand-picked gifts for our members based on questionnaires each fills out. Each Friendship Center member receives a present especially chosen and wrapped for them to enjoy during our Annual Holiday Celebration.
These pictures from years past show us the true meaning of friendship and the enjoyment received by our members as they open up their special gifts!
Thank you Unity Shoppe! We appreciate everything you do for us!
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Now Enrolling:
Connections Social Club for Seniors
Connections Senior Social Club, Friendship Center’s brain-training program is preparing to re-open Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, at All Saints-by-the-Sea Parish House Fireside Room.
As the name suggests, Connections is about connecting, both socially and cognitively. Each three-hour session features socially engaging activities, music, group discussions and light exercise. Connections is geared specifically toward senior citizens, with the three-fold goal of challenging the mind, encouraging new synaptic connections in the brain and connecting socially with other seniors.
Members will be required to wear masks and socially distance during meetings.
All Saints-by-the-Sea Church has given Friendship Center the thumbs up to resume Connections meetings in their Parish House Fireside Room, across from Friendship Center.
When: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, at All Saints’ Parish House Fireside Room, across the street from Friendship Center.
Cost: $50 per session.
For more information about enrolling, please contact Family Services Manager Kim Larsen at: kim@friendshipcentersb.org or (805) 969-0859, ext. 2.
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COVID-19 Booster, Shingrix, Flu Vax News
Everyone Ages 18 and Older Can Get a Booster
The CDC has updated its COVID-19 Booster recommendations to include anyone over the age of 18. COVID-10 Vaccinations are free and readily available throughout the state for people 12 and older. Appointments can be made at California My Turn website, and many sites offer same day/walk-in vaccinations. For additional information on eligibility and booster shot recommendations see the CDC website regarding COVID-19 booster shots. Please note that booster shot information is rapidly changing at this time. Consider getting an annual flu shot. The flu is the eighth leading cause of death in the state . Influenza can weaken the body and make people more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus. Note that you can contract the flu and COVID-19 simultaneously. A breakdown of the similarities and differences between the flu and COVID-19 can be found at the CDC’s website. Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix): What Everyone Should Know
Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication from shingles. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine), separated by 2 to 6 months, to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you Shingrix as a shot in your upper arm.
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Breaking Our Diets with Jim & Marilyn!
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Above: Laurie, Heidi, Marilyn and Esther smile behind their masks.
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Thank you Jim & Marilyn for providing Friendship Center staff with a delicious treat for lunch. Deli sandwiches and salads from Three Pickles as well as cupcakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes provided a delightfully decadent break from the usual fare of reheated leftovers brought from home.
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By Rachel Graef, Program Manager
If you love being unapologetically authentic, want to learn about amazing life experiences, and get more involved in the Santa Barbara community, I encourage you to give volunteering at Friendship Center a try!
We need . . .
ENTERTAINERS! Trust me . . . you have a talent! Music, singing, dancing, exercising, baking, teaching, art ~ sky’s the limit!
COMPANIONSHIP for our members. Through conversation, games, providing comfort ~ create individualized experiences for individual or small groups. A great opportunity to reminisce!
TECH-SAVVY folks to help with our website design.
WRITERS to assist with blogs, newsletters, and grant writing.
Note we have no age requirements. Opportunities can be in-person or remote, though in-person folks must be able to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination status.
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Make Friendship Center Your Amazon Charity and Donate While You Shop! Amazon will donate .05% of your purchase to Friendship Center at no extra cost to you.
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CCL Licensing Santa Barbara: #421701581 | CCL Licensing Goleta: #425801731
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