Community Enhancement

 

This is the fourth year California is seeing an explosion of fires, and the flames have arrived months earlier this time around.  The current blazes have charred nearly a million acres so far, which is more than the area burned during a typical fire season.  There are many who’ve lost their homes and/or are displaced.  Let’s not forget the first responders and fire fighters who are battling these fires.  If you’re looking for a way to help, here are some groups you can consider supporting who are currently tackling the challenge

Help Feed Seniors & Vulnerable Residents

Osteria diVino is looking for drivers to deliver Great Plates  meals to Seniors & Vulnerable Residents through December 7, 2020

Drivers are needed Mondays, Tuesday, & Wednesdays to pick up bozed meals between 4-4:30 pm from Osteria diVino on Caledonia and deliver them to seniors in Southern Marin.

Background checks may be required, but can be done online at no cost.

Great Plates is a CA-state, FEMA-funded food delivery program launched in April of the pandemic for seniors and vulnerable residents.  Osteria diVino has been involved since the beginning as a way to help and keep the restaurant alive.

For more information about Great Plates:  Great Plates Delivered: Home meals for seniors.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Ellen Rosenstein — ermarket@pacbell.net

The Salvation Army:

Donations support disaster relief for the current wildfires as well as potential future disasters.

Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation: 

ARF partners in emergency disaster relief and provides help with animals in need.

 

UndocuFund:

Supports undocumented individuals and families in Sonoma County including farm workers, which the organization noted in a recent Facebook post are particularly impacted during the dual crises of the pandemic and the wildfires.

Wildfire Relief Fund:

Supporting immediate, mid- and long-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires.

World Central Kitchen:

They have already been up and running in Vacaville and will continue to help across the state.

Help by Region:

LNU Lightning Complex (Sonoma, Lake, Solano, Yolo and Napa Counties)

Angwin Fire:

Angwin Fire operates its station on a very small budget. Napa County provides the apparatus and turnout gear, but the building and extras belong to the community of Angwin. The annual $27,000 budget and maintenance is 100% supported by the generous donations that you give.

Napa Valley Community Foundation’s 2020 Napa County Wildfire Fund:

Providing relief and recovery services to those affected by this most recent disaster in Napa Valley.

North Bay Fire Relief Fund:

The North Bay Fire Relief Fund (NBFRF) was created by Redwood Credit Union Community Fund to support the immediate needs of North Bay fire survivors in the four impacted counties of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake.

SCU Lightning Complex (Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, Stanislaus  and San Joaquin Counties)

Solano Disaster Relief Fund:

Grants from this fund will help nonprofits provide individuals and families impacted by the wildfires.

CZU Lightning Complex (Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties)

Big Basin Redwoods Recovery Fund: 

Donations are needed to rebuild Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Community Foundation Santa Cruz County:

This foundation is seeking help to support those affected by the lightning complex fires.

Puente: 

Donations needed to help provide staffing at the Half Moon Bay Evacuation Center 24/7 and hotel vouchers.

Volunteer Opportunities

BAYSIDE/MILK VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS

How you can help: Volunteer 

  • Visual Arts – help in classes or after school – contact: efranz@smcsd.org
  • Music – Lessons or provide performance opportunity – contact:  jholtzclaw@smcsd.org or ettennoj6@msn.com
  • Theater & Dance – contact Arts Liaison, Ellen Franz with ideas – contact: efranz@smcsd.org

Donate (and receive a tax deduction)

  • Musical instruments – contact ettennoj6@msn.com
  • Art Supplies – The art studio is in need of magazines (sports & featuring people of color) and used wrapping paper (not holiday themed) for art making contact:  efranz@smcsd.org
  • Financial Gifts – contact: org or send it to The Center for Excellence – PO Box 643, Sausalito CA 94966

BLOSSOM PROJECT

  • Blossom started by supporting homeless women in the Bay Area by providing them with much needed sanitary products. To personalize this, they are asking for handwritten notes to accompany the products. 
    • You can help by picking up a card and write the message: “To one woman from another, we care.  Be safe.”  Your signature.
    • Mail the card to: WeWork Civic Center, Attn:  Blossom Project  1161 Mission Street, SF CA 94103

There are lots of ways to get involved or for more information go to: blossom-project.org

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS

  • The “STAR Clubhouse” needs volunteers to help with homework, assist running programs, reading to members, playing games or organizing.
  • For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact: Dana

BRIDGE THE GAP

  • Volunteers and Tutor/Mentors are needed to support the education of Marin City Youth. Opportunities are available in the after-school and evening programs.
  • For more information and/or to volunteer, contact: Pam Flores pamflores@btgcollegeprep.org – 415.339.9411 http://btgcollegeprep.org, click on Volunteers

CANAL ALLIANCE

  • The Canal Alliance works to help low-income, Spanish speaking immigrants acquire the tools they need to thrive. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available.
  • Contact: 415.454.2640
  • canalalliance.org

CARSS (Call a Ride for Sausalito Seniors)

  • Drivers needed to provides rides for seniors 60+ or those with disabilities within Sausalito.
  • Contact: Connie Captanian, Program Coordinator  944.5474
  • infocarrs4you@gmail.com

CENTER FOR DOMESTIC PEACE

  • The Center for Domestic Peace leads a comprehensive effort to end domestic violence. As part of their work, they offer transitional housing to families in need. They have a “Wish List” of needs that can be accessed from their site and lots of volunteer opportunities.
  • For more information, contact: centerfordomesticpeace.org

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK STORE

  • Volunteers are needed to shelve books, kibitz with customers & do general organizational chores. They are open Monday, 9 – 5, Wed. & Sat., 10 – 1.  Drop-ins welcome.
  • Contact Libby Wilkinson 332.0206

MARIN CITY LIBRARY – WISH LIST DONATIONS

  • Contribute to the Marin City Library by donating from their “WISH LIST” below.

Contact Diana Lopez, Librarian 415.332.6158 or DLopez@marincounty.org

  1. Set of rotating caddies $89.99
  2. Set of Help-Yourself Book Bins $44.99
  3. Set of 12 student microscopes $89.99
  4. Prepared slides $49.99

OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES

  • Volunteers: Quarterly Friday Hot Meal – either a main dish, vegetable or salad
  • Volunteer Assistant Meal Scheduler – Contact Catherine Costas ccostas@yahoo.com
  • Clothing Donations Welcomed – Contact Mickey Allison, 415.332.0201 mickeyallison@sbcglobal.net

Blankets, Quilts, Sleeping Bags, Bedding (flat & fitted & pillow cases), Bath Mats, Warm Jackets, Vests (fleece, down, polyester filled), Rain Gear (especially sailing quality), Warm Winter Items, Underwear (used but not over stretched) and Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner & lotions – travel size or partially filled larger bottles)                      

SAUSALITO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

  • The Ice House Visitor Center & Museum hosts over 30,000 visitors annually. Volunteer docents are needed during peak hours in the Museum to welcome visitors and help them appreciate Sausalito history.

To be trained as a volunteer, contact: 289.4117 or info@sausalitohistoricalsociety.org

SAUSALITO SISTER CITIES

  • Sausalito has three sister city relationships: Vina del Mar, Chile; Sakaide, Japan; and Cascais, Portugal.  Activities of the sister city groups vary and they welcome volunteers and participants in their programs.
  • Interested members can contact the following for more information: ino@sausalitosistercities.org
  • Sakaide – Dina Hatchuel – dinahatchuel@htaconsulting.com
  • Vina del Mar – Monica Finnegan – mfinnegan@urbanrealestateadvisors.com
  • Cascais – Cheryl Popp – Cheryl@PoppInc.com

SAUSALITO VILLAGE

  • Sausalito Village is a “volunteer first” organization that provides services such as companionship, errands, pet care, etc. to members. Orientation provided.

For more information: 332.3325 or concierge@sausalitovillage.org

VOLUNTEER IN THE LOCAL SCHOOLS

  • Classroom volunteer; Tutoring/Mentoring; Cooking; Gardening; Reading; After School Clubs; Library, etc.
  • Contact:Judy Kramer, Academic Support Manger, 10,000 Degrees: jkramer@10000degrees.org or call 415.464.6068
  • Bayside/MLK – Fred Silverman – fredsilv@comcast.net
  • Willow Creek – Debra Fletcher – dfletcher@10000degrees.org

WILDCARE

  • There are number of ways to volunteer at Wildcare. You can become a Terwilliger Nature Guide or be a Wildlife Hospital Volunteer to name a few.

For more information or if you choose to donate, check out their website at http://info@discoverwildcare.org

WILLOW CREEK ACADEMY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

  • Willow Creek Academy’s After School program wants tutors and volunteers to help students with their homework. They welcome special presentations (historical, cultural, etc.) as well.

Contact: Steve Wiig, Director @ swig@willowcreekacademy.org or call 415.205.6481.