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HEALTHY FOOD PROGRAM • RECYCLING CENTERS • THRIFT STORE • BOOKS ELECTRONICS • CLASSES • EVENTS • REPAIR CAFÉS • VOLUNTEER • DONATE +Recycling Centers ★ Delivered 2.5 million pounds of healthy food and served 40,000 meals. ★ Reused 1,500 tons of donated items in our thrift stores ★ Diverted 6,200 tons of electronics, Styrofoam and recycling from landfills ★ Engaged 600+ amazing volunteers who donated 70,000 hours of service ★ Connected thousands of seniors in classes, support groups and events • 2710 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz Open Every Day, 7:30-3:30. Free Drop-off of e-waste, appliances, metal, styrofoam (EPS#6) & more. • Ben Lomond Transfer: Redeem your CRV, Mon-Sat, 10-3 • Buena Vista Landfill: Open Mon-Sat, 7:30-3:30 Thank You for your support! Together we: 2710 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz 95065 /// (831)479-1055 /// greybears.org FAVORITE NONPROFIT FAVORITE THRIFT STORE E RIT O V A F T I OF R P NON E RIT O V A F T IF R H T E R TO S PHOTO: POPPY DEGARMO sponsored three disability murals at Watsonville's Ramsay Park. 2022 also included the return of the 28th annual "Day at the Beach" on Cowell Beach. The big event creates an opportunity for those who, due to their disabilities, might not have the opportu- nity to participate in ocean sports such as kayaking, outrigger canoeing, scuba diving, water floatation, and beach wheelchair rides. Also this year, Shared Adventures received a gen- erous grant to help pay for the expenses of Day on the Beach from the California State Coastal Conservan- cy. They also partnered with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctu- ary who provided fishing off the Santa Cruz Pier, an open house event and t-shirts for volunteers and participants. The updated Santa Cruz Access Guide from Shared Adventures will be available soon. It will contain information for anyone with dis- abilities to find lodging, restaurants, recreation and services. The non-profit is sup- ported by the community with donations and grants. One of the best parts of being the Executive Director of Grey Bears is getting to know amazing people, many in their 70s, 80s, 90s, and even 100s. If I were asked what they have in common, it would be their zest for life, staying active through volunteering and civic engagement, and an irrepressible sense of humor – especially about growing older. Artist and poet, Morgan Harper Nichols, writes how "one day you will look back and see that all along you were bloom- ing." Every stage of life is an opportunity to learn and grow. No matter our age or circumstances, by being open to something new and embracing life we are always moving forward. A fun part of is socializing with others, staying active and often learning a new skill. We also try to meet vol- unteers right where they are in life. Whether you're volunteering, donating or browsing the thrift stores, recycling, attending a chair yoga class, picking up groceries or sharing lunch with new friends, we want you to feel better just by being here. A wonderful synergy is also created when generations work together on activities that benefit our community. Sharing experiences, perspec- tives and life skills while learning something new expands our horizons. And the best part is how the sense of accomplishment in impacting the lives of others and positively stew- arding resources improves our own lives. That's why volunteering is so good for us at every age. It can be both a stepping stone and a way to give back. Grey Bears is an identi- fied essential county ser- vice, so we have operated continuously throughout COVID. If anything, the pandemic has clarified how essential our Healthy Food program is - and even more so now with food prices rising 12.5% just this year. Weekly bags of grocer- At Grey Bears, the joy is in the journey By Tim Brattan ies are delivered to sites and door-to-door via 111 driver routes county- wide. Program Director, Danielle Wong, says daily grocery distributions and full course meals at our Chanticleer warehouse are a team effort. "We're picking up lots of organically grown fruits and vegetables from gardens and growers, es- pecially this time of year. Plus, there are so many var- ied items we get from local markets, including meats, cheese, yogurt, cereals, fresh produce, salads, bread and lots of deli items – all available for folks each weekday at 11am. Our chef and volunteer cooks create gourmet recipes for the 170 meals served and taken out each day." For five decades Grey Bears has shown how seniors are a hardworking asset with boundless ways to contribute and support each other to improve our community. And as we age it becomes easier to remember each day that the joy is in the journey. To donate, volunteer, shop, recycle and partic- ipate in the Grey Bears Healthy Food program visit https://greybears.org/ or call 831-479-1055. Photo by Poppy Degarmo Shared .. continued from page 2 Contributed Photo Contributed Photo