May is Older Americans Month, a perfect time to celebrate the tenth year of Marin Villages’ outreach and support of seniors who face the challenges and pleasures of staying in their homes as they age. BCF Grant recipient Tiburon Peninsula Village manages a network of volunteers who help Belvedere and Tiburon senior residents with all kinds of projects and activities – everything from cleaning out the garage to providing rides to activities and doctor’s appointments. The organization hosts a range of activities including monthly get-togethers at Rustic Bakery, domino tournaments, cooking classes, and more. Most importantly, Tiburon Peninsula Village helps maintain an intergenerational sense of community and engagement that is so important in combating the isolation that can occur as one’s mobility decreases with age.
BCF’s most recent grant to the Tiburon Peninsula Village chapter of Marin Villages helped the organization do outreach to potential volunteers, including advertising in The Ark. Marin Villages was able to leverage the Tiburon Peninsula chapter’s outreach project to increase outreach in the other chapters, thus allowing BCF’s contribution to ripple out through the larger community. While our focus will always be on Belvedere, we feel gratified when the effects of our local projects can provide a benefit off the Peninsula as well.
Marin Villages has a series of events planned to celebrate its tenth anniversary, and BCF was invited to attend the major donor thank-you party at the lovely home of board member Sparkie Spaeth of San Rafael. Tiburon Peninsula Village was well represented at the party, including (from left to right) Belvedere resident Lois Cannady, Tiburon volunteer Matt Masson, Marin Villages Board President and Tiburon volunteer Cheryl Sorokin, and BCF Board member Debbie Fisher. In the photo on the right, Lois Cannady admires the tenth “birthday” cake, a yummy chocolate concoction.
