Last year 1100 volunteers donated 23,151 hours of their time and energy to Senior Concerns!
Senior Concerns is filled with inspiration and many examples. Examples of what you ask? Volunteering!! Over 1100 individuals share their time and talent at Senior Concerns by doing good things for seniors in our community.
- Meals on Wheels – 101 Packers and Drivers
- Bargain Boutique and Thrift Store- 66 sales and sorters
- Adult Day Care – 933 Assistants and entertainers
- Fundraising – priceless and numerous
A prime inspirational example is one of our founding volunteers, Betty Langlois. Moving to Thousand Oaks in the early sixties Betty saw many needs and set about fixing them. She was instrumental in the start of Manna by consolidating church pantries and storing the food supplies in a garage and forming Manna. Her attention was also drawn to isolated homebound seniors who could no longer prepare meals for themselves and Meals on Wheels was born as the first program of Senior Concerns with 5 homes receiving meals for the first time on June 16th, 1976. Today we visit almost 100 homes a day. Think you don’t have time to be inspirational, in addition to making all this happen Betty mothered twelve (12) children. She currently lives with a son in Simi Valley and during a recent visit to her home we had lively conversations while she held us accountable to what we do today.
Bhojo Shahani is a long time favorite volunteer in our Day Program. Every Monday morning finds him leading song and dance for the enjoyment and movement of the participants. Smiles abound and legs move to the beat of favorite oldies from swing, to a lively polka, to the Macarena. Bhojo is a retired physician from India and a talented dancer who dedicates his time and life to the well being of others. He also teaches dancing at the Goebel Center. At Senior Concerns he inspires with a beat!
Volunteers also come in groups. Organizations such as Westlake Village Rotary, Newbury Park Rotary, Kiwanis & WLV Women’s Club, Scout troops and church groups provide drivers for Meals on Wheels and greatly need help at the Thrift Store. Bethany Christian School entertains, Simon Foundation and Love on a Leash bring dogs and a 4-H club brings their rabbits and chickens. New groups and clubs are always welcome. Groups inspire collectively and share the duties amongst many willing hands. Call 805 497 0189 to inquire and inspire.
