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
2202 Comstock Street
San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: (858) 278-0771
- Casa Familiar
119 W Hall Avenue
San Ysidro, CA 92173
Phone: (619) 428-1115
- Chicano Federation-San Diego
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
225 9th Street
Del Mar, CA 92014
Phone: (858) 792-7565
- Ed Brown Senior Center for Active Adults
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
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
570 South 65th Street
San Diego, CA 92114
Phone: (619) 266-2066
- City of Imperial Beach Senior Center
1075 8th 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
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
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
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
