Community Events

President’s Message – Virtual Lobbying Opportunity … Margaret Schieck

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Greetings AARP California Volunteer,

AARP California will host a Virtual Lobby Day on Wednesday, August 18th, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT to help pass six critical nursing home reform bills.  This package of bills is known as the P.R.O.T.E.C.T. plan or Prioritize Responsible Ownership, Treatment, Equity, and Corporate Transparency Plan.  As cosponsors of Senate Bill 650 (Stern), the keystone bill in the P.R.O.T.E.C.T. Plan, we need your help to make this bill into law.

Our lobby day will start with a virtual rally on our nursing home reform bills at 9:00 AM and conclude with a debriefing of our meetings with legislative offices at 4:30 PM.  Between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM, volunteers will meet with members of the legislature or their staffs to help get the votes necessary for SB 650 to advance to the Governor’s desk.  Additionally, volunteers will also advocate for the five remaining P.R.O.T.E.C.T. Plan bills; AB 279, AB 323, AB 749, AB 849, and AB 1042.

TO PARTICPATE IN VIRTUAL LOBBY DAY TAKE THESE TWO ACTIONS:

  1. Register to participate in Virtual Lobby Day on Wednesday, August 18th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT here: (https://aarp.cvent.com/VLD)
  2. If registering for Virtual Lobby Day, you will also be required to attend one of three advocacy trainings listed below. Please register for one of the following trainings:

Materials such as talking points, legislator information, and leave-behinds will be provided to you during your training.

We especially encourage volunteers from Assembly Districts 2, 4, 22, 27, 31, 34, 36, 38, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 53, 57, 59, 63, 64, 66, 71, 75, 76, 78, 80; and Senate Districts 6, 10, 11, 20, 21, 23, 25, 31, 33, 35, 36, and 39 to participate. If you are unsure of what district you reside in use the link below.

District lookup: http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the disparities that exist in nursing homes and the time is NOW to advocate for change.  We need your support and hope you can join us on Wednesday, August 18th, to advance the P.R.O.T.E.C.T Plan and reform nursing homes.

For questions regarding Virtual Lobby Day, please contact Christian Landaverde at clandaverde@aarp.org.

Blood Donations Are Critically Needed

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Both Stanford and the Red Cross are in critical need of blood donations.

Stanford’s Blood Center has a site at 295 E. Hamilton Avenue and their general web site is: https://stanfordbloodcenter.org/  

The Red Cross main location is on North First Street, San Jose.  Their web site is:  https://www.redcross.org/local/california/northern-california-coastal/about-us/locations/silicon-valley.html

The Red Cross has a blood drive this Saturday, Feb 13 at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, 2350 Winchester Blvd., from 9 AM to 3 PM. 

Santa Clara County Announces “No Wrong Door” for COVID Vaccinations

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On Feb 4 Sara Cody, Santa Clara County’s Health Officer, announced anyone 65 and older can get their vaccine from anywhere in the county. 

The county’s new “no wrong door” policy makes it possible for seniors to get vaccinated regardless of who their normal medical provider is.  “A Kaiser patient can go to the county, a Stanford patient can go to Kaiser, a county patient can go to Stanford (to get vaccinated),” said Dr. Cody. “It doesn’t matter where you go, we want you to get vaccinated.” 

County officials said that the change would become effective immediately within the county hospital system, while it might take a few days for all of the South Bay’s vaccine providers to make the transition.

Campbell Toy Program…Marilyn Clough

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Here’s an opportunity to help brighten Christmas for Campbell area children, especially necessary for young families this difficult year.  Collection boxes will be available until Saturday, December 12, for toys, games, books, school supplies, art/craft supplies, balls, etc.  Most of our local shopping areas will have them.  Check https://campbelltoyprogram.com/ for details before you go shopping (carefully, of course!).

Caregivers Count … Ken Schieck

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  1. A free virtual conference for families and friends caring for a loved one
  2. By Aging Services Collaborative of Santa Clara County
  3. Co-sponsored by San Jose Regional AARP Office

Event Dates and Topics:

  • Sept 12:  Emotional Well-Being
  • Sept 19:  Paying for Care
  • Sept 26:  Technology Tools
  • Oct 3:      Reducing Stress & Dealing with Parents and Resistance

Registration Info at www.caregiverscount.net

Do you like to sing?

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A free sing-along group meets on zoom Thursdays 7:30-9:00.  We used to meet in person at the Chai House.  We have a couple of songbooks to help us remember the words which you can order on Amazon if you like the group.  What we do is the leader is unmuted, and the rest of us sing along at home.  It’s less satisfying than being together but does give that boost that singing familiar music does for the soul.  If you are interested, please contact Nancy_Tepperman@yahoo.com, and she will put you on the email list.  You can find Nancy’s phone number in the Dispatch if you prefer to call.