There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than by giving back. San Diego Seniors Community Foundation would like to provide some ways you can support seniors in your area this holiday season (and year-round!):

Reach out locally

• Some seniors’ health prevents them from getting out and socializing. Keep them from feeling isolated by going for a visit, bringing over a meal to share or renting their favorite movie for you to watch together.
• Offer to run errands for those seniors who can no longer drive or have a difficult time driving. Make it a weekly ritual and let them know they can call upon you when needed. You can also bring them along as you ride around town, so they can get out of the house and visit with you at the same time.
• Offer to rake leaves, take out trash, and fix little things around the home.

 Be a companion

• Volunteer with a local organization (see list below) to help in ways that fit your interests and skills, from reading to handiwork.
• Help older seniors with daily tasks, keeping them independent and in their own homes.

 Continue lifelong learning 

• Discover a seniors’ passion: Does your friend or someone nearby love to cook? Ask them to share a favorite family recipe. Do they love to sing or draw? Get them to show you. Talk to them about what they’re passionate about.
• Discover their skills: If you don’t already know the kind of career your friend had, find out! Ask questions about their biggest lessons or favorite moments. Don’t forget to ask them about their skills and hobbies outside the job, too—sewing, woodworking, writing. Suggesting that they show you a think or two.
• Log the memories: Bring along a photo album, scrapbook or journal on your next visit, and encourage your friend to sit and compile their memories with you. Use narrative, photos, captions, doodles and more. You’ll be turning their oral stories into a documented history book in no time!
• Make some artwork: Turn select pages of your memory book into wall art for their room. Simply photocopy the best pages with photos and captions, then hang them up so your friend can continuously recall good times. Plus, colorful pages and photos are sure to brighten up any room.

Recently, the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation awarded grants to 26 senior community centers throughout San Diego.  The announcement can be found here.  These agencies are always looking for volunteers year-round to help with mailings, food services, special events, art projects, and more!  Here is a link to those agencies:

• Bayside Community Center

https://www.baysidecc.org

2202 Comstock Street

San Diego, CA 92111

Phone: (858) 278-0771

• Casa Familiar

http://www.casafamiliar.org

119 W Hall Avenue

San Ysidro, CA 92173

Phone: (619) 428-1115

• Chicano Federation-San Diego

https://chicanofederation.org

3180 University Avenue, Suite 400

San Diego, CA 92104

Phone: (619) 225-5600

• AgeWell Services

https://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/activities/agewellservices

3901 Landis Street

San Diego, CA 92105

Phone: (619) 525-8247

• Gloria McClellan Senior Center

https://www.cityofvista.com/residents/senior-services

1400 Vale Terrance Drive

Vista, CA 92084

Phone: (760) 643-5288

• Del Mar Community Connections

https://www.dmcc.cc

225 9^th Street

Del Mar, CA 92014

Phone: (858) 792-7565

• Ed Brown Senior Center for Active Adults

https://www.edbrowncenter.org

18402 W Bernardo Drive

San Diego, CA 92127

Phone: (858) 487-9324

• ElderHelp of San Diego

https://www.elderhelpofsandiego.org

5095 Murphy Canyon Road, #100

San Diego, CA 92123

Phone: (619) 284-9281

• Encinitas Community and Senior Center

https://encinitasca.gov/Residents/Senior-Citizens/Community-Senior-Center

1140 Oakcrest Park Drive

Encinitas, CA 92024

Phone: (760) 943-2260

• Escondido Senior Center

https://www.escondido.org/escondido-senior-center

210 East Park Avenue

Escondido, CA 92025

Phone: (760) 839-4688

• Fallbrook Senior Center

https://www.fallbrookseniorcenter.com

399 Heald Lane

Fallbrook, CA 92028

Phone: (760) 728-4498

• Feeding San Diego

https://feedingsandiego.org

9477 Waples Street, Ste 100

San Diego, CA 92121

Phone: (858) 452-3663

• Foundation For Senior Care

https://foundationforseniorcare.org

135 South Mission Road

Fallbrook, CA 92028

Phone: (760) 723-7570

• The Foundation for Senior Wellbeing

https://www.thefoundationforseniorwellbeing.org

131 Richmar Avenue, #1616

San Marcos, CA 92069

Phone: (844) 654-4636

• Fourth District Seniors Resource Center

https://fdsrc.org

570 South 65th Street

San Diego, CA 92114

Phone: (619) 266-2066

• City of Imperial Beach Senior Center

https://bit.ly/3xeCRzc

1075 8^th Street

Imperial Beach, CA 91932

Phone: (619) 424-7077

• Interfaith Community Services

https://www.interfaithservices.org

550 West Washington Avenue

Escondido, CA 92025

Phone: (760) 489-6380

• La Jolla Community Center

https://www.ljcommunitycenter.org

6811 La Jolla Boulevard

La Jolla, CA 92037

Phone: (858) 459-0831

• Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center

https://www.lfjcc.org

4126 Executive Drive

La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 457-3030

• Neighborhood House Senior Center

795 S Boundary Street

San Diego, CA 92113

Phone: (619) 263-2108

• Oceanside Country Club Senior Center

https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/gov/ns/parks/default.asp

455 Country Club Lane

Oceanside, CA 92054

Phone: (760) 435-5150

• Peninsula Shephard Center

https://www.sdpsc.org

1475 Catalina Boulevard

San Diego, CA 92107

Phone: (619) 223-1640

• Ramona Senior Center

https://www.ramonaseniorcenter.com

434 Aqua Lane

Ramona, CA 92065

Phone: (760) 789-0440

• San Marcos Senior Activity Center

https://www.san-marcos.net/departments/parks-recreation/adults-50

111 Richmar Avenue

San Marcos, CA 92069

Phone: (760) 744-5535

• Serving Seniors

https://servingseniors.org

1525 Fourth Avenue

San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: (619) 235-6538

• Southern Caregiver Resource Center

https://www.caregivercenter.org

3675 Ruffin Road

San Diego, CA 92123

Phone: (800) 827-1008

We’re excited to see you give back during the holiday season!

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Information provided by “Your Go-To Guide for Volunteering with Seniors.” https://createthegood.aarp.org/volunteer-ideas/senior-guide.html Alamy 2012