Mar2Written by:VIC News Editor
3/2/2010 12:04 PM 
You were all so generous last year, we met our $20,000 fundraising goal! This year, our operating deficit will $30,000, so let's see what we can do by pulling together again, to support our mission of service to the cherished elders of our community. The economic crisis is taking an increasingly serious toll on their stability and well-being. You'll hear some of their stories at the rally. With every thoughtful donation of $20 (or as much as you can manage) we're weaving them a stronger and more secure safety net.
The range of services the EVMPSC provides to the homebound is pretty amazing – we deliver hot lunches; shop for their groceries, deliver them and put them away; vacuum, dust, do their dishes and laundry; make their beds, bathe them, rub lotion on their bodies and dress them. We provide safe wheelchair accessible transportation to their medical appointments and to handle banking and other personal business.
For working caretakers of parents with memory impairments or other disabilities that make it unsafe for them to be left alone during the day, we provide adult day care. The clients get transportation to and from the program, and enjoy exercise, music, fun activities, lunch and snacks. Ours is the most affordable service in the county, with fees priced on a sliding scale.
Everyone is well aware of the financial crisis affecting social service budgets at every level of government, including our own City of Los Angeles. Cuts have been made this year in the monies that fund the essential programs we provide for the frailest of our homebound and day care clients. And more cuts are looming on the horizon. The senior safety net is fraying under all this fiscal strain. So it’s imperative that we come together as community to protect our own. Your donations will also bolster our nutrition program, affordable trips, stimulating classes and other health-maintenance activities for active older adults. Hopefully, we will raise enough money to not only stabilize existing services, but also reach out to the newly emerging 60+ members of our community for their ideas and feedback on the innovation of new programs. We really appreciate your support in this effort. Welcome to our East Valley MPC family. We’re proud to count you among our members.
Every year East Valley Multipurpose Senior Center…
- Serves 40,000 hot lunches in our community dining room.
- Delivers 45,000 hot lunches to hundreds of the frail homebound.
- Gives 1,200 hours of housekeeping and personal care support to the homebound.
- Makes 12,500 one-way trips in wheelchair-equipped vans with seniors who can no longer drive.
- Provides 27,000 hours of safe day care for memory impaired parents of sandwich generation caretakers.
- Makes 200 home repairs free of charge, including installation of wheelchair ramps, handrails and grab bars.
- Helps 300 seniors file their taxes, free of charge, working with AARP-trained volunteers.
- Organizes 20 affordable bus trips to entertainment events, museums, casinos and nature destinations.
- Offers 1,000 classes and activities like weight training, yoga, tai chi, current events, music appreciation, painting and quilting.
- Conducts 24 intensive workshops training active older adults how to maintain optimal health.
- Administers 250 free flu shots.
- Styles 240 professional haircuts for a mere $3 each.