RSVP Special Events & Opportunities Bulletin--December 2011

One-Time Events (for info, call 952-945-4162)

Own a Sleigh? Like to Drive?
Monday, December 19th, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Twin Cities Metro Area

You can spread joy by delivering gifts to seniors involved with the programs of Catholic Charities. Pick up gifts in St. Paul and deliver to 4-5 homes throughout the Metro Area. Directions to individual homes will be provided and deliveries will be grouped within proximity to one another.

Be a Christmas Day Elf
Sunday, December 25th, 11:00 a.m.– 2 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
285 North Dale Street, St. Paul, Minnesota

Celebrate this Christmas by sharing it with those who might otherwise be alone. Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly will continue its tradition of hosting a festive dinner on Christmas Day. Volunteers are needed in a number of capacities: drive and escort elders to and from the meal, pick up meals and deliver them to elders at their homes, be a dinner companion at the church.


Seasonal Opportunities

Sponsor a Family for the Holidays
Help bring holiday cheer by shopping for gifts for low-income families involved with Catholic Charities year-round programs. Thanks to generous donors, last year Catholic Charities was able to provide gifts for more than 6,000 individuals. Sponsors are provided with a wish list of items and asked to provide 2-3 gifts per family member. Gifts need to be dropped off at either the Minneapolis or St Paul warehouse in early December. You can also elect to shop for generic gifts or gift cards for emergency situations. Visit Sponsor A Family - Holiday Giving Program of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis for more details or to sign up.


Gifts for Seniors
Gifts for Seniors, a program that remembers elderly isolated seniors who are alone during the holidays by providing a gift and reassurance that they have not been forgotten, is in need of volunteers to help with a variety of tasks from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. Help is needed in collecting and processing gifts as well as clerical services. You can sign up to volunteer through the internet at http://www.giftsforseniors.org/volunteer.html.


Help Low Income Families File Their Tax Returns
Did you know that one hour of time could put $2,000 in a family’s pocket? Interact with people from many cultures while helping them to prepare their tax returns! This is a great opportunity to practice skills and help your community. Learn more about how to help low income families file their taxes at any one of the AccountAbility Minnesota volunteer orientation sessions:

When: December 3rd, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. or
December 10th, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. or
December 12th, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: 2610 University Ave. W., Suite 450, St. Paul, MN 55114

Drive and Exercise
Mondays in January, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Want to get your exercise while you volunteer? Little Bothers-Friends of the Elderly is looking for drivers to assist with transportation to and from a Gentle Yoga class in St. Paul. Volunteer drivers are encouraged to stay and participate in the class at no charge.

Ongoing Opportunities

Feed Your Interest in Other Cultures
Interact with people from many cultures while helping them shop for culturally appropriate foods by volunteering at Neighborhood House’s food shelf.
When: Volunteer three hours, 9-12 or 1-4, Monday through Thursday.
Where: Neighborhood House Food Shelf, 179 Robie Street East, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107

Memorial Blood Center Blood Drive Canteen Host
Play an important role in the blood donation process helping to ensure the safety and comfort of blood donors once they have made their donations. Your friendly assistance will be welcomed as you visit with donors, serve snacks and beverages, watch for adverse reactions, and thank donors for their life-saving contributions. Memorial Blood Center holds numerous blood drives at churches and corporations each month. Pick and choose the locations and dates that best fit your schedule.

Neighborhood Family Partner
Are you interested in welcoming a new family to your community? Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to partner with new Habitat homeowners during their first year of homeownership. Volunteers will share knowledge of local resources and homeownership during four home visits over the course of a year. A great way to build a relationship with a Habitat for Humanity homeowner!

Lend Your Support
Lend your support to caregivers. Volunteers are needed to provide relief to family caregivers in the homes of frail or ill elderly loved ones. Volunteers provide safe companionship and socializing for the care recipient while the caregiver is away. Training provided. Weekly time commitment is 2 – 3 hours.

(for info on these or other opportunities, call 952-945-4162)

TIPS--Community Info:

Safe Driver Resources
The week of December 5, 2011 has been declared Older Driver Safety Awareness Week by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Many physical, mental, and sensory changes affect older drivers, but there are also many resources available to keep older adults driving longer and more safely. Throughout the week, AOTA will bring attention to a different aspect of older adult driver safety, including: family conversations, screening/evaluations, driving equipment/adaptations, taking changes in stride, and life after driving. Find information on all these topics at http://www.aota.org/olderdriverweek

MN SMARxT Disposal
Do you have old or expired medications sitting in your medicine cabinet but are unsure about how to properly dispose of them? SMARxT DISPOSAL is a new public awareness campaign designed to educate Minnesotans about the safest way to dispose of these medications. Contrary to previous advice, flushing medications or pouring them down the drain is not recommended due to potential harmful effects on waterways. Instead, follow this three step process to most safely dispose of the medications in your household trash:

1) Pour medication into a sealable plastic bag. If medication is a solid, add water to dissolve. Remove all personal information from the medicine container.

2) Add kitty litter, sawdust, coffee grounds (anything to make medication less appealing to eat) to the sealable plastic bag.

3) Seal the plastic bag completely and throw it in the trash.

Alternatively, many counties are now hosting prescription drug take back events (Hennepin and Carver), or are establishing permanent drop-off spots (Scott) where medications are collected and disposed. Check with your county website if you'd like to find out more about this option.

More details can be found on the SMARxT DISPOSAL website at http://www.mnsmartdisposal.com/.

Fun Event:

Great Clips IMAX Senior Day: Second Tuesday of each month, 10:00 a.m.
Great Clips IMAX Theatre, MN Zoo: 12000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN
Movie at 10 a.m. but come any time after 9 a.m. for coffee, treats, and door prize drawings. Senior admission is $6 (some shows are more), with an opportunity to see a second film the same day for the same price.

Want the Royal Treatment?
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is seeking applications for the 2012 Winter Carnival Senior Royalty program. Seniors, ages 55 and older, who live within the seven-county metro area (Ramsey, Hennepin, Washington, Dakota, Anoka, Carver and Scott) are eligible to apply. Every January, six seniors (three men and three women) reign as the Senior Royalty of the Winter Carnival. The selected applicants represent Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, senior citizens, and the Saint Paul Winter Carnival throughout the year at parades, community festivals and special events. Application deadline is December 20, 2011.

You Can Help Winona RSVP Raise $--Vote on Facebook

It takes about 2 minutes: 

Your vote can help Winona RSVP win $5000 to purchase hand and ankle weights to expand their Bone Builders program into southern MN--rural communities that do not have other options for classes, especially not FREE classes. 

Bone Builders is a free exercise program for older people; the program helps participants combat osteoporsis and improve their strength and balance.


Winona RSVP worked with students from Winona State University who created a video for an online contest sponsored by AgStar.
Learn more about the power of Bone Builders by clicking on the following link – where you can also place your vote by “liking” their submission:

http://apps.facebook.com/youmakethedifference/details/33

Here are the steps to get onto the Facebook site and vote:

4 Easy Steps::

1. Go to AgStar Home Mortgage Services on Facebook and “Like” it.

2. Click on “You Make the Difference” (Left sidebar)

3. Click on “Enter Contest Area”

4. Find Bone Builders (RSVP Osteoporosis Prevention Program) and “Like” it.

Please share this with as many people as possible--the deadline is November 30th!

Thank you in advance for taking the time to help us help others!

RSVP helps Minnesota SMARxT DISPOSAL spread the word

How to dispose of unused and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications:

 Minnesota SMARxT DISPOSAL launched this month to give guidance to consumers on the proper disposal of unused and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. This effort brings together a diverse group of Minnesota organizations and includes support from healthcare professionals, senior citizen organizations, and the outdoor conservation community.

 A member of Minnesota SMARxT DISPOSAL handed out brochures at the RSVP and Senior Corps statewide director's meeting in Detroit Lakes on Wednesday, October 26. RSVP and other program directors are engaging the seniors in their chapters and programs to spread the SMARxT DISPOSAL message.

The Process for Medication Disposal:
Medications play a vital role in our health care system, and sometimes there can be unused and expired over-the-counter and prescription medication. The recommended procedure for medication disposal is:

1.) Pour medication into sealable plastic bag.
- If medication is a solid, add water to dissolve.
- Remove all personal identification from container if needed.

2.) Add kitty litter, sawdust, coffee grounds (anything to make medication less appealing to eat) to the plastic bag.

3.) Seal the plastic bag completely and dispose in the trash.

Find more info at:  http://www.mnsmartdisposal.com/

East Metro Disposal Options by County:

Dakota--contact your local Police Department for drop-off info.

 Ramsey-- Medicines from households are accepted Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Law Enforcement Center, 425 Grove Street, Saint Paul, and at the Sheriff’s Patrol Station, 1411 Paul Kirkwold Drive, Arden Hills.

 Washington--community collection days are held twice a year, as funding permits. Between collections, follow safe disposal procedures listed above.