6 minute read
Community
Sleeping Bag Drive Started For Those Experiencing Homelessness Natural History Society to Hold Talk by Noted Acorn Expert
Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s offices accepting donations until Dec. 12
Walt Koenig, who's also a zoologist and researcher, will speak at Solvang Library on Dec. 7
Staff Report
More than 1,900 people are experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara County. To help these individuals and families stay warm this winter, the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office is accepting donations of sleeping bags, hats, gloves, jackets, clothing, socks, shoes, hygiene products, thermal underwear, scarves and backpacks.
New or lightly used donations are being accepted during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Public Defender’s offices. The Santa Barbara office is located at 1100 Anacapa St. The Santa Maria office is located at 312-P East Cook St., Building A. Physical donations may be made through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Financial donations will also be accepted, for the purchase of new sleeping bags and undergarments, and are tax deductible through the Public Defender’s partnership with Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara. Financial donations may be made online through the following website, 2022 SleepingBagDrive|FamilyServiceAgency(givebox.com). Donations of items will not be accepted at Family Service Agency.
In order to receive donated goods, those experiencing homelessness will need to attend a distribution event on Friday, Dec. 15, from 12 to 2 p.m. or until supplies last at each office of the Public Defender. Homeless outreach teams and community partners are currently working to inform clients of the donations that will be made available to them at the event. For more information, contact the County Public Defender’s office: In Santa Barbara, call (805) 5683470; in Santa Maria, call (805) 346-7500.
For more information about the County of Santa Barbara government organization, go to countyofsb.org. The Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society invites the public to a lively in-person program with zoologist, researcher and acorn woodpecker expert Walt Koenig on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive. His lecture is titled "Acorn Boom or Bust: What Makes A Good Or Bad Acorn Year In California?” and will be followed by a Q&A.
This talk is co-sponsored by the Solvang Library and will also be live-streamed via Zoom on a link emailed to SYVNHS members and friends of the Society. To register go to engagedpatrons.org/EventsCalendar and click on the event.
Koenig will be discussing his work with
Staff Report
Walt Koenig, a zoologist and acorn woodpecker expert, will deliver his lecture "Acorn Boom or Bust: What Makes A Good Or Bad Acorn Year in California?" at the Solvang Library on Dec. 7. Photo courtesy of Bruce Lyon
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Solvang Senior Center Sets Goal for Every Local Senior to Join in the Next Year
Center ready to break ground on new building in 2023
Staff Report
The holiday season is filled with giving and connecting with loved ones. Sadly, not all senior citizens experience this same joy. For some, the holidays can be a lonely time when family is unable to visit. The CDCreports that social isolation is associated with an increased risk of dementia by about 50 percent and higher rates of depression and anxiety.
People who have more social connections live longer, are healthier, and are less likely to be depressed, according to the National Academy of Sciences. Fortunately, the Solvang Senior Center offers a place for camaraderie through its classes, programs, and resources.
“Some seniors in our community see very few people except when they come to the center,” said Solvang Senior Center Executive Director Ellen Albertoni. “Whether dining in or picking up lunch, borrowing a book or attending one of our many weekly classes, our members rely on us all year long and especially during the holidays.”
Recently the center reached their initial fundraising goal of $3 million dollars to build a brand-new Senior Center in 2023. This achievement was made possible through support from foundations, businesses and individuals in the community. Construction of the new center will begin soon with plans to break ground in spring 2023. Completion is slated for spring 2024.
“Due to the significant impact inflation has had on the cost of building materials since we first set our fundraising goal, we are continuing to raise additional funds to ensure all costs associated with completion of the building and furnishings have been covered,” says Campaign Co-Chair Tom Olmsted. “Our goal is to build the brand-new center without incurring debt.”
The new center will ensure local seniors throughout the area have a place to go for connection and support as well as providing an additional event venue for the Santa Ynez Valley.
“The new building allows us to nearly double our current space for programs and services as well as provide a much-needed community space for meetings and events,” Albertoni explains.
In order to reach its fundraising goal, the Solvang Senior Center is planning several events in 2023 but asks the community to help them begin this additional effort by becoming a member.
“Our goal is to have every senior in Solvang — even better, the Santa Ynez Valley — join the Solvang Senior Center by the end of next year,” says Albertoni. “By joining the center, or gifting a membership to a senior you know, we can increase engagement as well as a sense of community.”
With a population of over 1,800 residents 65 years or older in Solvang alone, the center’s goal could well surpass $100,000 in annual dues for the nonprofit organization if seniors throughout the Santa Ynez Valley joined or renewed their membership.
Those wishing to join or gift a $40 annual membership to someone 55 years and older may sign up online by visiting www. SolvangSeniorCenter.org or calling (805) 688-3793. Albertoni welcomes general membership donations for seniors who cannot otherwise afford a membership. With Giving Tuesday approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 29, the Solvang Senior Center invites all locals to consider an end-of-the-year donation towards their capital campaign supporting the entire Santa Ynez Valley.
Solvang Senior Center members take part in a virtual cycle class at the center. The center is looking for new members as it breaks ground on a new building in 2023. Courtesy Photo
