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Social Dancing for solos and couples Peggy Pollard, Teacher Peggy@WaltzTribe.com www.WaltzTribe.com www.PeggyDance.weebly.com Santa Cruz Waltz & Swing online dances & lessons Waltz Tribe membership Grow your mind, body & soul Dance to music you love Sign up Now for up-coming Classes! I will answer your questions by phone, email or in person. Call today for a free no-obligation quote. P 831.423.2900 PRESIDENT'S PLATINUM CLUB 2013-2020 2013-2020 TOP VOLUME PRODUCER • Reverse Mortgage FHA lending limit is now $822,375. Now may be the time to do a reverse mortgage or refinance your current reverse or forward mortgage at historically low interest and MIP rates. • Additionally, our Jumbo Reverse Mortgage Program may offer you a loan amount up to $4,000,000. Tax-free cash! Money to help you, your family members, or other loved ones. *Consult a tax specialist. Dan Casagrande NMLS# 561104, Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, Inc., NMLS ID 1025894. 3131 Camino Del Rio N 1100, San Diego, CA 92108 Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection & Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, License 4131356. These materials are not from HUD or FHA and the document was not approved by HUD, FHA or any Government Agency. www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org ing), sort bread, conduct produce quality control, fill bags, and bring tech skills to e-cycling. "We've often had three genera- tions of volunteers which instills community service and passes that onto grandchildren," says Tim. There are also 'programs within our programs' as Tim calls them. "We have two amazing volunteer RNs, Claire Sommargren and Elise Dempsey, who worked in Dominican Hospital critical care units for 25 years. They orga- nize all the medical supply and equipment donations we receive." Some items aren't appropriate for the store, so they record those and donate them to humanitarian aid organi- zation MedShare. These include supplies to care for seriously ill patients directed to communities and countries most in need, such as India for its current COVID crisis. "Volunteers inspire us every day. We relish the sense of accomplishment in making a difference in the lives of others. We appreciate the gratitude from so many we are privileged to serve. We are grateful for those who stayed to work during COVID (we couldn't make them leave!)," says Tim. "Volunteers dis- cover new friendships. Some have met here and gotten married or found roommates and housing support. Others have used Grey Bears as a literal lifesaver, helping them move from addiction to clarity and peace." The success of Grey Bears' programs is also due to the ag community and growers; the many food partners; donors of household items and recy- cling; and the hundreds of individuals and founda- tions (such as Commu- nity Foundation Santa Cruz County) who make financial gifts and grants. "They collectively keep us going," says Tim. There are volunteer opportunities available if any Sentinel readers are interested; most are open to all ages. Food distribution positions with the most need are volun- teer drivers for grocery store pickups, brown bag assembly, and delivery drivers. In the Thrift and Electronics Stores, there are needs for cashiers, sorting, pricing, stock- ing, and—for electronics (audio/video, gaming and other items)—testing, repairing and refurbishing. The Bookstore seeks help with shelving and cashier- ing or researching and listing books online. GB also needs people to do eBay listing and selling. They could use help with Campus maintenance, including a handyman, carpentry, cleaning, etc. Remember, volunteering is a great way to connect to others. Another important way that Grey Bears keeps seniors connected, active, and learning, says Tim, are classes and support groups. Most are listed on the calendar at greybears. org/classes/events/. Chair Yoga with Suzi has been offered at Grey Bears for 10 years (via Zoom during pandemic, along with Cooking with Grey Bears). She has 20-40 stu- dents in her classes. Span- ish classes and a women's support group have now returned to the in-person classroom. More will follow as things open up. Contact information 2710 Chanticleer Ave. 831-479-1055 greybears.org Grey Bear's 2020-21 reuse and recycling pro- gram will: ·Repurpose 1,500 tons of household items ·Divert 7,000 tons of recycling, Styrofoam, electronics and organics from landfills at its 3 recycling centers ·Pay out more than $300,000 to nearly 4,000 residents who redeem their beverage contain- ers at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station recy- cling center The main Grey Bears campus, 2710 Chan- ticleer Ave., includes the Food Distribution warehouse, kitchen, and coolers; the Thrift Store, Electronics and Book- store; recycling center, and the Grey Bears office. There are satellite sites in Ben Lomond and at the Buena Vista Land- fill in Watsonville that are Grey Bears recycling centers. Grey Bears Continued from page 1 Volunteer Bob Leonard Photo credit: Poppy DeGarmo Volunteer RN Claire Sommargren Photo credit: Jim Sullivan Volunteers, Jerry DeVine and Bob Langis, getting ready to test and repair donated appliances. Photo credit: Contributed Refurbished desktop computers in Grey Bears electronics department. Photo credit: Tim Brattan Grey Bears food assembly line volunteers preparing to start production in February, 2020 just before the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order. Photo credit: Poppy DeGarmo Volunteers from New Leaf Community Markets using their merchandising expertise in Grey Bears clothing store. Photo credit: Contributed Volunteer Greg Brackett refurbishes a laptop computer at Grey Bears. Photo credit: Contributed Shoppers at Grey Bears new building grand opening. Photo credit: Tim Brattan Valerie in Grey Bears thrift store housewares/furniture department. Photo credit: Tim Brattan

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