 I trained 4 new volunteers for LAH this morning. They each bring special expertise and experiences to our corps. I am always amazed at our talent!
We have inroads into the U of A Women's Plaza, a dog owner whose dog earned visitation credentials at a nursing home, Master Gardening and/or yardwork and light maintenance, a young couple who just wants to be of help with lots of background in many things.
I met with and trained 5 young women at Amparo who may serve as volunteers who do friendly visits and do housecleaning.
I interviewed one new client today.
Saturday, May 25 is the next Market oh The Move produce delivery to our clients--67 who are interested. We have them broken down by neighborhoods with names and addresses for delivery. If you can clear your Saturday from 7-10 or so, and have a car and like to make a visit with seniors, let Alan Adler know, 909-5204. We begin at Northminster Presbyterian on corner of Ft. Lowell and Tucson Blvd.
Tuesday, May 21 is Senior Canteen Board Games Fun.
1-3:30p.m. at the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ, Mountain and Adelaide.
Call for more info: 248-6882
Wednesday Writing Group is looking for new members who want to express themselves in writing--poetry? story? memoir? essay? fiction?
Call Vicki for more information 248-8621
April Statistics
Total mileage: 1250 mi.
Total hours spent with our seniors 254 hrs
# seniors served in April: 55
# number of volunteers in April: 30
 Jim K. received a lovely send off to Chandler with a special outdoor party hosted by Laura Aldag and Curtis Reinbold. Betty M. ventured out in a debut of sorts. Many friends and family were present for Jim. He will always be a Senior Neighbor Emeritus for LAH as he supported us in so many countless ways. His writing can be enjoyed by going through the LAH website: www.lahseniorhelp.org
Brian S. turned 60 though he appears to be 40! Ah, youth! Happy Birthday, Brian! His sister, Nancy planned, prepared and hosted a lovely gathering for Brian and his many friends.
Mary M. turns 101 this week! Remember last year's birthday bash? She vows to keep it simple this year with only a two hour party period and just cake and ice cream. Many Happpy Returns, Mary.
Senior Canteen this week will be meeting at the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ from 1-3 with one of our own, David D. showing his diarorama of San Xavier Mission. It is a detailed beauty which we saw in person at our last Canteen. Refreshments and a surprise activity will also be on the agenda. All are welcome.
Jane Hoffmann and friends of LAH sponsored and conducted another successful yardsale last weekend. Many thanks for your loyalty and dedication! $1300+ was earned for LAH programs.
LAH IS PART OF A PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR A SEPTEMBER CONFERENCE ON GLOBAL WARMING/WEATHER CHANGES AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. THERE ARE SO MANY UNTHOUGHT OF EFFECTS AND SO MANY REPERCUSSIONS WITH SUCH A DISASTER. MANY GOOD AND EXPERIENCED VOICES ARE PART OF THE PLANNING. IT IS AN HONOR TO BE AMONG THEM. MORE WILL FOLLOW ON THE EVENT .
LAH needs drivers for once a month if the Market on the Move delivery system is to work. Can you spare 2 hrs once a month for this morning project? Call Michele
Carne Asada dinner with all the trimmings prepared authentically and served in a beautiful outdoor setting is this Saturday: April 20 in the Richland Heights East Neighborhood. $35 per person to benefit LAH programs. Contact Wallace Kinkade through email: wkinkade2@aol.com
Sponsored in part by Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Sprouts
 Happy Passover Week or Happy Holy Week or Happy Spring--it is a beautiful change of seasons.
San Xavier Mission on our senior canteen trip last week was so lovely. Fifteen of us enjoyed the company, the weather, the sights, the snacks, the history and culture. Our refugee elders also were introduced to the Dove of the Desert and marvelled at the similarities to their Hindu shrines and loved the view of the countryside from the mountain trek. Others of us could not make it up the hill with walkers and wheelchairs, but still loved the day.
M
 90s ClubIf you did not know, my experience with elders goes home with me too. I live in the 90 Something Club with parents-both 91 and WWII vets-- and until January 24th, with my Aunt Dee who was 93. Her children all live out of town so two years ago, we invited her to live with us--the other choice was a nursing home. I learned much about aging and life and death from her. Hospice Care came to the home for almost a year. They were wonderful to her and to us. A private caregver whom I met because of LAH was also an invaluble part of the constellation of helpers. The world was a better place because of her; we are better people as she leaves us. Senior CanteenOn Tuesday, January 22, about 20 LAH seniors and volunteers visited the Franklin Car Museum which resides in the center of Richland Heights West Neighborhood. Amazing! Beautiful! Elegant! Informative! Historical! A must see! Some of our clients attended canteen for the first time Tuesday and were drawn to each other as old friends with lots in common and lots to talk about. The social time was a great success too. Many thanks to Milton for arranging the visit. Afterward, we went to the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ to have Birthday Cake--LAH is 7 years old this month. Our next Canteen date is February 19th 1 pm. Information to follow. Needed: a volunteer who likes art/art museum and who would like to accompany one of our clients to his class at the museum. More to follow on how often, how long. Our client likes to draw. Wanted:Interested volunteers or clients who like to write and share writing with a group. No experience necessary or much experience necessary. The group is looking for stories, life experiences, memories, technical writing, personal writing, poetry, drama, song lyrics, humor. . . .Contact: Vicki Mills @ millsv@u.library.arizona.edu Whoa! Bring out your Major Neighborhood Projects!On March 9, 11, 12, 13, the UA Navigators, a student Christan Ministry Group of 100 or so, is looking to help our LAH Neighborhoods. Do you have projects pending? Do you need muscle? Time? Talent? A few? Many? In attending neighborhood meetings, I have been hearing about planned projects, tree planting, gardens, mural cleanup, painting, improvements. I can make my grid with all our 13 neighborhoods listed. You call me (520- 248-6882) to plug in the tasks and the number of workers needed and a contact person who will head up the group(s). Fabulous UA Athletes in Service to neighborsJanuary 6th and then January 12th we had the good fortune of having 37 and then 17 UA athletes offer to clean yards for our neighbors. I cannot say enough about their great attitudes. Kudos to UA Cross Country/ Track and Field and Women's Soccer! Many thanks to Jewish Federation for lending us enough tools for the jobs! Many thanks to 29th Street CAN, another neighborhood group like LAH, who shared some of our fortune with us.
Special Needs: home maintenanceNeed one or two of our handy men to contact and visit with our senior neighbors to see what can be worked on to make home a better place. Maybe some yard cleanup removing stuff or maybe some simple plumbing work in bathrooms (drips etc.).
 ... for a very interesting and exciting adventure!We'll be heading out and about! Join us for a visit to theTHE FRANKLIN CAR MUSEUM
AND INDIAN ARTIFACT MUSEUM
Plus an historical adobe family pioneer home!TUESDAY, January 22
1 pm, meet at Mountain Avenue Church of Christ (Mtn and Adelaide)
Caravan to the Museum within the Richland Heights West Neighborhood
When Tour and Talk end and we return to church for refreshments and leave by 3:30
Click the Franklin Car Museum, Tucson for further information on that part of the trip.
RSVP to Michele at LAH: 248-6882
Transportation is provided!
 Happy New Year, LAH Volunteers!
If success is measured in. . . .
Good Wishes--LAH received many during the holidays thanking the volunteers for their good care and service.
Good Works--LAH received 1,052 Albertson's collectors stamps for cookware (multiplied by $10 ea. that is $10,000 worth of purchases toward the collection!) Jim K., one of our great neighbors, headed up the collection and he thanks all of you for your part in it. The cookware can be sold at a date to benefit LAH.
LAH Senior Canteen in December had a wonderful turnout. Our refugee members came as did our regulars. Judith , Connie, Milton and Deena had folks decorating cookies, singing songs, and enjoying conversations across cultures. What a success.
University of Arizona athletes have served us several times this year--JAN 6TH AND JAN 12TH they will join us again to help neighbors with yardwork, etc. 29th St CAN will also benefit from their numbers on Sunday, the 6th.
Personal holiday visits were conducted in a few neighborhoods by Kathy R., a new volunteer, who delivered LAH Christmas/Season cards, smiles and cookies during the December days; Sandy M., a board member, and her grandson also personally delivered cookies and greetings these two weeks. Yes, I received thank you phonecalls for such a friendly greeting. Congratulations, volunteer delivery folks.
Good People--our board members, volunteers, outside friends and neighbors are such a powerhouse of time, talent, creativity, and generosity. In this day and age, grass roots neighborhood action is essential for neighborhoods to thrive. We have excellent examples of that action, everyday and each month.
To so much more in 2013! Thank you all.
Michele
Just so you know, Michele…by Betty M., November 2012
The Thanksgiving Canteen was the best ever. “What are you thankful for this year?” was the theme. I’m so thankful for Michele and Lend a Hand – for the volunteer rides; for the canteen and tours to the museums and art galleries; for the cheerful phone calls – your smile and positive attitude travels over the wire; and for the friends I’ve made along the way. Lend a Hand makes the difference in my lonely life. And I’m thankful to:- One lady, a survivor of Katrina with fantastic survival skills,
- Two ladies who are truly local, with tales of how it once was in Tucson,
- One Man from Nebraska who brought tasty pumpkin cake,
- One man from North Dakota (Alan),
- One man who fixed the microphone system. It works!
- Connie, a lovely hostess.
There was an abrupt end when a homeless, barefoot girl appeared looking for a woman’s shelter. Alan called for help. Connie stayed with her as we all left. Michele,
I wish you could have been there and seen for yourself the very genuine, heart-felt thanks from these people. It was real.
Betty M.
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