Click on the Title of the Article You Wish to Read
FALW to Host Annual Veterans Picnic July 1st
Golden Age Foundation Ice Cream Social Was a Big Hit!
Shredding Event in the Rain Served 475 Shareholders
Great Day for Battery Recycling in Leisure World
Korean American Association sponsors GAF 50th Anniversary Celebration Event
Seal Beach Cornerstone Church annual donation to GAF
Leisure World Korean Community Church Sponsors GAF 50th Anniversary Celebration
Second Wind Band Entertains at the GAF 50th Anniversary Celebration
Golden Age Foundation to Celebrate 50th Anniversary
New Connections Brings Awareness to the Mental Health of Seniors
A New Year’s Greeting and Message from the Mobility Aids Program
GOLDEN AGE FOUNDATION – Save the Dates Announcement
Golden Age Foundation Time to Make Tax Appointments
Amazon Reward Program Will End on February 20
FALW to Host Annual Veterans Picnic July 1st
The Filipino Association of Leisure World announces its annual Veterans Picnic on Saturday, July 1, 2023. The event will be celebrated at clubhouse one picnic ground for all US veterans residing in Leisure World and their guests to express our undying gratitude to their unselfish service to a great nation.
The Golden Age Foundation is donating to FALW the amount of $3,500.00 to contribute for the event. FALW is very grateful for the assistance.
The FALW started this annual event eleven years ago, but due to Covid-19 it was postponed but came back stronger last year. When first started, only a few veterans were present but as years went by, our veterans has been coming and enjoying the camaraderie. Last year close to 250 veterans and their guests had a wonderful time in the picnic. From the delicious food, desserts, fresh cut fruits and sodas, we sang all the Military branch hymns to uplift the feelings of the veterans. “TAPS” was played for the departed comrades. Registration is a “MUST”. To register, state your name, phone number, branch of service and number of guests to: Ren Villanueva, (323) 854-6209, Ric Dizon, (714) 225-3597; Ed Bolos (551) 998-4223 and Harry Varnas, (323) 791-1141. A token gift will be distributed to first one hundred veterans who registered for the event. Registration is open to veterans until June 25, 2023.
. The Hui-O-Hula and the Hawaiian Band will entertain during the picnic. WE hope to have a good and fun celebration this year.
Return to Top
Golden Age Foundation Ice Cream Social Was a Big Hit!
On Wednesday, May 3, 2023 over 200 Leisure World residents were treated to a yummy selection of ice cream treats outside Clubhouse 2 by the Golden Age Foundation. Novelty ice cream items were provided from the sliding service window of the brightly colored Ice Cream Truck with pictures of the many choices available.
Standing outside the Ice Cream Truck on that cool spring day was reminiscent of happy childhood memories from early spring through late summer when the local Ice Cream Truck came to our neighborhood. On this day however, imagine waves of senior citizens ogling over the selection, trying to decide which ice cream cup or bar to choose, it was a joyful sight to see. Once their choices were made, residents went inside the clubhouse to select treats and toppings to add to the experience and sit down at brightly decorated tables to share the afternoon with friends and neighbors. A prominent poster was hung on the wall near the stage with a nice selection of props available for residents to snap selfies to commemorate the day. It was very festive.
Additionally, the poster display from the GAF 50th Anniversary Celebration and programs were available for those who missed out on the event on April 22nd. Members of the GAF Board of Directors hosted the event and visited with LW residents as they enjoyed their ice cream. A table was set up for shareholders interested in joining the GAF and, or signing up for the Ralphs Community Rewards Program, which is currently the only fund raising activity the GAF has.
In all, it is fair to say we had a good time and hope to do it again.
By Cheryl Falconer
Return to Top
Shredding Event in the Rain Served 475 Shareholders
The Community was blessed to have volunteers who braved the rain and did a Shredding event to serve 475 shareholders, it was highest numbers ever served,
With the wet, chilling cold weather glooming over the pouring rain, and rain threatening the cancellation of the event, it went as well as expected with consistent rain for our 2 hours services.
The Golden Age Foundation’s “Shredding Event” on March 14th was a huge success.
In the last 6-7 years of shredding events, we haven’t seen so many cars coming without any breaks, steadily in two hours. The eight volunteers worked so hard to keep up with shredding on-site and the traffic of consistent car flows never slowed down till the end. Thank three Security officers including Director Victor Rocha to direct the traffic to avoid any incident.
Again, the “Drop and Go” method worked extremely well. Residents didn’t even need to get out of their cars. GAF volunteers retrieved the items from the resident’s cars, which made it so much easier for everyone. This method will probably continue since it is working so well.
Our truck driver, Manny was so helpful. It was a constant flow of cars dropping off their items to be shredded. There were over 475 cars that were served.
A reminder for the next shredding event on July 11th the 2nd Tuesday, 2023, the GAF ask shareholders to place their shredding bags either in the passenger’s or trunk of their vehicles, to stay in their cars.
For the next shredding, we ask the community that please put all your shredding in paper bags and plastic bags with shredding stuff that needs to be visible. No boxes, please. Beginning this shredding event, Mobile Shredding Company asked us to untie the plastic bags to dump all the shredding stuff into the bin each time to prevent truck fire.
Even though we asked numerous times, volunteers had to pull file hangers with metal, binder
paper clips from their tied plastic bags that would cause the shredder truck trouble.
Our appreciation goes to volunteers Carl Kennedy, Rosemarie Da Roza, Dave Forny, Ren Villanueva, Caryn Lynn Stel, who counted on the counter, Teresa Danton, and Anna Derby for their services, it couldn’t come a better time to have great help when we needed it badly. Shery Wells stood in the rain to collect donations from shareholders. The GAF would like to thank those who gladly dropped off generous donations to make the record-breaking total in the last 6 years since GAF began taking the Shredding event under our service program. GAF is a 501c3 nonprofit foundation.
Everyone is welcome at Hospitality in CH 6. Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 11. Come and enjoy the company of others while sipping a cup of coffee and enjoying snacks.
Mobility aids are loaned out to the community as needed. They are open from Monday to Friday 9:00 to 11, in CH 6 downstairs. The GAF phone number is 562-431-9589.
Return to Top
Great Day for Battery Recycling in Leisure World
The Golden Age Foundation volunteer team collected over 650 pounds of batteries for recycle on Tuesday the 15th of November. Our residents brought their used household batteries to the Clubhouse 2 parking lot where volunteers collected, sorted, and packed the batteries for shipment to the recycle facility.
While our new donation funded battery recycle process still cost around $1.50 per pound it is dramatically cheaper than the $4.00-$5.00 per pound Golden Age Foundation was paying last year.
Unfortunately we did have to turn away several shareholders at the end of the event due the fact that we had reached our recycle collection capacity of 650 pounds a little early. What’s remarkable about it was that 305 shareholders saved their used batteries to bring it to properly recycled through our battery recycling program, that said everything. What a great day.
While we plan on having another household battery collection event in 4 months, Leisure World residents can take their batteries (of all sizes), paints, cleaners, oils, and pesticides that contain potentially hazardous ingredients, as well as E-waste such as televisions, tablets, cell phones and computers to Orange County Waste and Recycling for free all year long. The nearest facility is located in Huntington Beach, 8.5 miles from Leisure World, at 17121 Nichols Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Gate 6. They are open from 9-3 Tuesday – Saturday. Their number is 714-834-4000.
The Golden Age Foundation would like to thank the members of this wonderful community for our commitment to recycle as well as all the volunteers who supported the battery recycle event: Beth Greeley, Linda Johnson, Fara Mccartney, Shery Wells, Rosemarie Da Roza, Dave Forney, Paul Lee, Ivy Kung, Anna Derby, Paula Snowden, Chung Cha Lewis, Seung Yul Lee, Michael Oh, Al Basler, Carl Kennedy
written by Carl Kennedy
Return to Top
Korean American Association sponsors GAF 50th Anniversary Celebration Event
Golden Age Foundation is having a 50th Anniversary Celebration on April 22nd, 2023 in Club House 6 downstairs to display our rich history by coming up with 15 posters 3X2 ft from the artifacts, photos, and accomplishment data, the committee has been working on since last October after we secured the date and location from the GRF Board.
It will be an outside activity as well as inside by bands play, taco trucks will serve food to people can stay in areas to enjoy the day of celebration in a community event/festival. The GRF has a Fall Festival or Cinco De Mayo on the almost same scale as what the GAF is about to do, and it will be a community festival to milestone of celebration.
Three entertainment team has committed to entertain the crowd from 10 to 2 outside of the
CH 6 under the two huge tents, one for the entertainers and other one is for the crowds.
On behalf of the GAF, we would like to invite all shareholders to the event and ask everyone to save the date to visit what the board has been working on for this milestone celebration.
From what we’ve observed at GRF events, we would guess 500 to 750 or more people would come out, at least we hope so if the weather cooperates with us.
Besides Korean American Association, L.W Korean Community Church, the City of Seal Beach, On Site Home Resale’s group, Seal Beach Sa-rang Church, Pyung Kang Church, and few other organizations including church groups, as our sponsors, and they said they would definitely be a part of our celebration.
Anyone who would like to be a sponsor for the GAF 50th Anniversary Celebration, please contact Anna Derby, president of the GAF at (562) 301-5339 by March 31st the latest due to the production of the program.
Korean American Association (KAA) presented sponsorship of the 50th Anniversary Celebration event to Golden Age Foundation with $1,000. The KAA has been consistent donor since 2015 they formed their organization to foster Korean cultural activities.
Golden Age Foundation appreciates their generosity to support special programs GAF has been doing since pandemic to help shareholders who are in need.
The Korean American Association (KAA) of Leisure World Seal Beach welcomes all residents to participate in their activities. The purpose of the KAA is to promote fellowship; create and foster Korean cultural activities; promote the principles of good citizenship; and encourage community services.
For more information of KAA, call Won S. Ryu at (714) 982-7793.
Return to Top
Seal Beach Cornerstone Church annual donation to GAF
Representatives from Seal Cornerstone Church, Senior Pastor Peter Kang and church Elder Paul Im donated $1,000 to Golden Age Foundation to share their need for this community. Seal Beach Cornerstone Church has been a consistent donor since its founding in 2010 and GAF appreciates their contribution, especially during this pandemic. Seal Beach Cornerstone would like to continue to be a part of the community to support the GAF service program.
Photo by Michael Oh
Seal Beach Cornerstone Church Sunday services are held in Club House 2 at 9:45 a.m and they had a special 13th Anniversary Service was held on Sunday, February 5th in CH 2.
The Golden Age Foundation is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization dedicated to serving the special needs of our shareholders and residents Through the generosity of individuals or organizations in our community, we are able to provide various programs and projects.
All Golden Age programs are provided free to Leisure World shareholders, and the Foundation is entirely staffed by resident volunteers.
For more information, go to www.goldenagefdn.org, or call Anna Derby at (562) 301-5339.
Return to Top
Leisure World Korean Community Church Sponsors GAF 50th Anniversary Celebration
Leisure World Korean Community Church sponsors GAF 50th Anniversary Celebration Event on Saturday, April 22, 2023 in CH 6 , inside and outside, from 10 to 2 p.m.,
GAF President, Elder Henry Kim and Elder Hyo Soo Kim.
It will be an outside activity as well as inside by bands play, taco truck will serve food to people can stay in areas to enjoy the day of celebration in a community event/festival. The GRF has a Fall Festival or Cinco De Mayo on the almost same scale as what the GAF is about to do, and I will attach a few photos for you to imagine the scale of the event
Golden Age Foundation is having a 50th Anniversary Celebration on April 22nd, 2023 in Club House 6 downstairs to display our rich history by coming up with 20 posters 3X2 ft from the artifacts, photos, and accomplishment data, the committee has been working on since last October after we secured the date and location from the GRF Board.
At this time, we will come up with the program production by 8X11, and those who do sponsorship will be on one of those pages as they submit the graphic.
On behalf of the GAF, we would like to invite all shareholders to the event and ask everyone to save the date to visit what the board has been working on for this milestone celebration.
From what we’ve observed at GRF events, we would guess 500 to 750 or more people would come out, at least we hope so if the weather cooperates with us.
Besides L.W Korean Community Church, the City of Seal Beach, On Site Home Resale’s group, Korean American Association, and few other organizations including church groups, as our sponsors, and they said they would definitely be a part of our celebration.
L.W. Korean Community Church has been supporting the Golden Age Foundation since 2017, when they moved to Leisure World LWKCC currently holds Sunday Service at Leisure World Community Church.
LWKCC has been giving Sunday Worship every week starting at 11:50 am in the main sanctuary. Saturday early morning worships are at 6 am, Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Return to Top
Second Wind Band Entertains at the GAF 50th Anniversary Celebration
Second Wind is one of three entertainers at the GAF 50th Anniversary Celebration Event on Saturday, April 22, 2023, in CH 6.
Second Wind band entertained at the GAF 50th Anniversary Event on April 22 outside under the giant tent, during the celebration,
Second Wind is an acoustical band from Long Beach, California. The band is composed of husband-wife Marc and Pattie Davidson, Dave Noferi (Leisure World Resident), and Tom Gallo. The blending of acoustical guitar, banjo, bass, mandolin, and accordion provided a diverse musical repertoire. Along with original material from singer-songwriter Marc N. Davidson, their playlist includes American songbook jazz and pop standards, folk, bluegrass, country, and unique 30s and 40s French standards. The tagline for the band is, “ Songs Your Mother Should Know “, based on the classic Beatles tune. The band has played events and venues in Southern California and other parts of the United States. Second Wind has been a frequent performer for the Santa Barbara French Festival, Make Music Long Beach, as well as entertaining international guests at Le Cosy Montparnasse in Paris and other community venues in France.
For more info on Second Wind, go to: www.secondwindplaysforyou.com or https://www.facebook.com/secondwindmusic.longbeach/photos
Golden Age Foundation enjoyed a 50th Anniversary Celebration on April 22nd, 2023 in Club House 6 downstairs to display our rich history by coming up with 20 posters 3X2 ft from the artifacts, photos, and accomplishment data, the committee has been working on since last October after we secured the date and location from the GRF Board.
It was an outside activity as well as inside by bands play, taco truck will served food to people in all areas to enjoying the day of celebration in a community event/festival. The GRF has a Fall Festival or Cinco De Mayo on the almost same scale as what the GAF event was and I will attach a few photos for you to imagine the scale of the event
Three entertainers lined up to perform during the celebration, from 10 to 2 p.m., outside of CH 6, and they were Hui O Hula L.W with over 20 dancers and 5 ukulele bands, and Coconut Breeze led by Craig Wilson. They filled in from 10 to 2 p.m. to bring the festival atmosphere.
From what we’ve observed at GRF events, over 750 or more people came out, to celebrate the milestone of the GAF and enjoy the weather and food trucks.
Return to Top
Golden Age Foundation to Celebrate 50th Anniversary
The Golden Age Foundation (GAF) has been serving Leisure World for 50 years since 1973.
On April 22, 2023, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm we will be celebrating this remarkable milestone.
At 11 a.m., there will be an opening ceremony with the City of Seal Beach Mayor Thomas Moore, Council member Nathan Steele, Assembly Woman Janet Nguyen, and GRF President Marsha Gerber.
There will be free food for the first 500 residents, and the food trucks will serve free Hot Dogs and chips at 11:30 after the opening ceremony will be done. Everyone needs to get a special ticket to get that complimentary lunch from the GAF. Besides Jimmy’s food truck, there will be Lucille’s BBQ truck to serve delicious lunches for your own choice.
The entertainment with music to dance to or otherwise enjoy the day outside clubhouse 6. From 10 to 2 p.m., there will be four different entertainment by Hui O Hula 20 Dancers Hawaiian dances and Ukulele players, Aloha Club Ukulele play, Second Wind and Coconut Breeze band will finish the songs familiar to us, and hope to see many line dances with this beautiful music to celebrate the day of milestone.
GAF thanks Optum to provide a huge tent for entertainers and another large one to bring comfort for the audiences to enjoy those entertainments and get up to dance if they would like to.
Inside the clubhouse, guests will learn about the services provided through a historical look back at the contribution of the GAF. There will be photo displays and artifacts of some of the many projects the GAF has funded, supported with volunteer staff, or partnered with other organizations, as well as ongoing programs offered to Leisure World shareholders.
If you have grandkids, please be sure to look for the Face painting Booth in CH 6 inside.
Inside Ch 6, GAF invited booths from the City of Seal Beach, Optum, Alzheimer’s Orange County, More Prepared sells Emergency Go Bag, Elim Acupuncture Group Inc., Financial Partners Credit Union, and GAF will have two tables to show the scrapbooks and historical items.
The GAF has organized and implemented many programs that benefit our community. The goal is and always has been to empower our residents to lead purposeful, healthy, quality lives. GAF core programs include A Hospitality Center, a Mobility Aids Program which provides loans of devices to promote active independent living; annual Income Tax Preparation staffed by AARP-trained GAF volunteers; quarterly Document Shredding service to support the community; and Environmental Programs which include quarterly battery and florescent bulb collection and disposal events to preserve the environment.
The GAF recently facilitated the formation of a collaboration of top Orange County agencies that focus on aging. This collaboration includes the Council on Aging, Alzheimer’s OC, and Adult Protective Services and is now based in Leisure World. Some of the programs offered by the collaboration include: Friendly Visitors, trained volunteers who regularly visit or call isolated individuals; the Reconnect Program which provides short-term private comprehensive services to seniors experiencing emotional challenges and overall health barriers; Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy; Alzheimer’s OC’s programs which are designed for people struggling with memory loss; and Adult Protective Services serves to protect seniors from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
All these celebrations can be done on a community scale because there are organizations and businesses that sponsor to celebrate Golden Age Foundation milestone accomplishments.
They are, in no particular order: DLD Insurance, Optum, the City of Seal Beach, On-Site Home Sales, Inc., Leisure World Korean Community Church, Korean American Club, Seal Beach Cornerstone Church, Seal Beach Sa-Rang Church, Financial Partners Credit Union, Elim Acupuncture Group, Inc., Pyung Kang Church, and Union Evangelical Church.
Without their sponsorship, GAF wouldn’t be able to implement the 50th Anniversary with Leisure World community scale celebration, and we thank you for your generosity.
We hope you will save the date and plan to join us to celebrate the Golden Age Foundation of Seal Beach. For more information, please text at (562) 301-5339.
Return to Top
New Connections Brings Awareness to the Mental Health of Seniors
Southern California ReConnect Program, Kevin Alexander, Service Chief of Orange County Health Care Agency, and Council on Aging OC Carolina Gutierrez-Richau, Joanna Constanza, MA Director of the Preventative Mental Health Department,. On Jan. 11, over 40 LW residents attended the New Year, New Connections event in Clubhouse 4, organized by the Council on Aging – Southern California ReConnect EISOA Program in partnership with the LWSB Member Resource Liaison Office.
The goal was to address the older adults mental health, the new three-digit suicide prevention line 988, and connect people with the available resources.
The President of the Golden Age Foundation, Anna Derby, introduced the event by providing the history on the Council on Aging protective services for veterans and older adults and its collaboration with the Golden Age Foundation.
Michelle Jo Park, MD, program psychiatrist for the Council on Aging – Southern California ReConnect Program, made a comprehensive presentation on elder abuse. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, the number of older adults in the U.S. has been growing and is projected to outnumber children by reaching 70% of the population by 2060.
This growing population faces a number of challenges. One is ageism, or discrimination based on age that can include mental or physical abuse. Older adults also face health issues. According to Park, 80% of older adults have at least one chronic health condition, and 50% have two or more. Approximately 40% of them report some type of functional disability, including age-related changes in metabolism of medications and alcohol, in particular.
One in four adults will continue to use prescribed anxiety, pain or insomnia drugs long term, which may cause lethargy, confusion, falls and other life-threatening risks. Drug and alcohol use among older adults is particularly dangerous, Park explained, since they are more susceptible to the harmful effects of these substances.
In addition to physical health issues, mental health disorders are a common issue among older adults. People can suffer from the whole spectrum of disorders, including depression, dementia or neurocognitive disorders, anxiety and substance abuse. One in four older adults experience loneliness and social isolation that may negatively affect mental health, leading to depression, heart disease and more.
Park explained that older adults, victims of elder abuse, immigrants, minorities and members of the LGBTQ community are at a higher risk of experiencing loneliness. Statistics show that 19.9% of by MENTAL HEALTH, Park said. White males ages 85 and over have the highest rate of suicide in the U.S.
According to Park, COVID-19 had less impact on older adults’ mental health than expected. COVID deaths, however, occurred in large numbers in people 75 and over, causing a loss of population. Unvaccinated and unboosted older adults made up the majority of deaths, and only 51% of older adults have received their booster shots.
Besides mental and physical health challenges, older adults can also face elder abuse, which includes physical, psychological, financial and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, Park explained. One in ten older adults suffer from abuse, and signs of abuse require immediate action. Over the past five years, the number of Americans providing unpaid care to an adult with health or functional needs has increased from 43.5 to 53 million. The negative mental and physical impact of caregiving on family members has also risen.
According to statistics cited by Park, the U-shaped curve of happiness in the U.S. is one of the lowest in the world. However, people aged 64 and older are still the happiest compared to other age groups. Despite these challenges, studies show that older adults are resilient, and that resilience can be taught and learned. Many people become more resilient after suffering a traumatic event, Park explained, and reap the benefits of it by slowing aging and better recovering from future diseases. Positive and secure attachments, reducing stress, the establishment of social networks and physical activities are just a few ways people can promote resilience to trauma. After Park’s presentation, Many LW residents found the event topics valuable and informative. MENTAL HEALTH from page 9
people learned more about the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) from Joanna Constanza, training and outreach coordinator, Survivor Support Services at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Though the 1-800- 985-5990 number still works, the new three-digit 988 number speeds up the connection and routes the caller to the national Lifeline. The Lifeline is different from dialing 911 in that it stabilizes most situations over the phone and connecting a person with local resources to help. The long-term goal of 988 Lifeline is to help people be more open about mental health and recognize when someone is at risk. This three-digit number can be used by an individual in crisis or by a third party such as a friend, parent, or a teacher.
Dr. Kevin Alexander, Service Chief of Orange County Health Care Agency, spoke of the county’s resources that are available to those in crisis, with a goal to reduce suicide rates and bring community together. He added that the OC Links at www.ochealthinfo.com/services-programs/mental-healthcrisis-recovery/navigation-helpresources can offer help immediately, which has improved in the last ten years along with private and public insurance requirements. According to Alexander, the county works closely with the Department of Education and non-profits to educate young people about available resources and to destigmatize conversations about mental health. He added that people need to ask questions if someone seems suicidal and assure them that everything will be okay.
Derby thanked the participants and attendees for their time and reminded the residents to reach out to GAF or Members Resources Liaison Robann Arhsat, with questions or resources for financial and emotional issues.
Nick Massetti, the GRF Board member and the facilitator for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance said he enjoyed the event and encourages people to be more open about mental issues. He invited anyone diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety to attend the free classes (East Long Beach support group) via Google meet on Wednesday evenings. For time and more information, email: dbsaeastlb@gmail.com
Return to Top
GOLDEN AGE FOUNDATION – Save the Dates Announcement
The Golden Age Foundation is an independent nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to serving the residents of Seal Beach Leisure World. Its purpose is to make our community a better and happier place in which to live. The Foundation was established in 1973 and is not affiliated with the Golden Rain Foundation.
All Golden Age programs are provided free to Leisure World shareholders. The Foundation is entirely staffed by volunteers, so all contributions go directly to meeting community needs. The generous support of shareholders, residents, clubs, organizations and businesses is the main source of income. The Foundation’s programs and projects are made possible by the volunteer efforts of so many.
There are numerous ways to help (see details at the bottom of this document): become a member and/or make a yearly contribution; become a volunteer; join the Amazon Smile or Ralph’s Rewards program; and last but not least, consider leaving a lasting legacy by naming Golden Age Foundation as a beneficiary in your estate planning. For more information, call (562) 431-9589. Your contributions are tax deductible. The Golden Age Foundation 501(c)(3) Tax ID is 23-7273105.
MAJOR PROGRAMS
NOTE: All the listed programs have been affected in some way, due to the pandemic. Keep up with changes in delivery of services by reading the LW News.
Hospitality Center: On Monday through Friday of each week, the Golden Age Foundation sponsors a Hospitality Center in Clubhouse 6 (CH 6). Between the hours of 9:00 and 11:00 am, coffee and cookies are served to residents who drop by and socialize. New residents are especially urged to come and make friends. You will be welcomed by the Golden Age Foundation volunteers who staff this project.
Mobility Aids: One of the most used and appreciated services of the Golden Age Foundation is loaning out free-of-charge wheelchairs and walkers to residents. The Mobility Aids room is on the ground floor, west side of CH 6 and is open Monday thru Friday between 9 to 11 a.m. No appointment is necessary but be sure to bring the GRF ID to get the Mobility Aids.
Tax Return Assistance: The Golden Age Foundation arranges for tax volunteers, trained by the AARP, to prepare basic State and Federal tax forms without charge. Information concerning this program is published in the Leisure World weekly (LW Weekly) newspaper during the tax season. The program opens the beginning of February to usually mid-April. Appointments are required, and the phone number will be in the LW Weekly during the service period.
Shredding Service: The Foundation sponsors free document shredding for shareholders 3 times a year in the Clubhouse 2 parking lot, generally between 10 am and noon. The dates and times will be announced in the LW Weekly a couple of weeks before the service.
Recycling Program: The Foundation pays for the proper disposal of batteries and fluorescent bulbs to help preserve our environment. We ask shareholders to save the dead batteries for Battery recycling Service date to be announced through the Weekly in CH 2 Parking lot from 10 to 12. Fluorescent/LED bulbs can only be dropped off at the Purchasing Department during office hours. The dates and times will be announced in the LW Weekly a couple of weeks before the service.
Golden Age Foundation has upcoming events to enhance the living in Leisure Worlds:
On March 14, in CH 2 , Shredding Service from 10 to 12.
On March 21, in CH 2, Battery Recycling Service from 10 to 12.
On April 22nd, in CH 6 downstairs, from 10 to 2 p.m., outside entertainers and food truck to celebrate Golden Age Foundation 50th Anniversary. There will be three different entertainers will play music to dance from it, and food truck will be there to serve to stay in celebration.
For more information, go to www.goldenagefdn.org or text at (562) 301-5339.
Return to Top
A New Year’s Greeting and Message from the Mobility Aids Program
The Mobility Aids Program, sponsored by the Golden Age Foundation (GAF), has been loaning rollators, wheelchairs, transport chairs and walkers to Leisure World residents for many years at no charge. 2022 has been a very busy Holiday Season. For the month of December alone we provided services to over 100 Leisure World residents.
Sadly, the Holiday rush has left us in short supply of Transport Chairs. Thus we are reaching out to you, our Leisure World community for support.
If you have a GAF Transport Chair on loan that you no longer need, please return it to the Mobility Aids Office in Clubhouse 6. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 – 11 am.
If you have a personal Transport Chair gathering dust in your home or carport please consider donating it to the Program.
Thank you in advance for your ongoing support of the Mobility Aids Program.
Please call the GAF phone line at (562)431-9589 if you have questions and/or need us to pick up your Transport Chair.
Return to Top
Golden Age Foundation Time to Make Tax Appointments
The AARP Tax-Aide Program sponsored by the Golden Age Foundation begins Wednesday, February 1, 2023 through Wednesday, April 12, 2023. IRS certified Volunteers will prepare and e-file returns on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings.
Appointments are required. Call 596-1987 and leave your name and telephone number on the GAF answer machine. A volunteer will return the call to schedule an appointment. Please answer your telephone even though the calling number will not be familiar to you or may be a blocked number. Make sure that you have all of the documents necessary for filing before you call for an appointment.
You must be a full-year California resident and qualify to file as Single or Married Filing Jointly. The following records should be brought to the appointment, if they are applicable to you:
- Social Security number for everyone on the return
- Government issued ID
- Copy of 2021 Federal and State returns
- Forms W-2
- Forms 1099 for interest, dividends, pensions, social security benefits, stock sales, etc.
- Verification of the COST of assets sold during 2022
- Forms 1095-A if you purchased medical insurance through Covered California
- For itemized deductions, prepare and total a list of medical expenses, charitable contributions, taxes, interest and other deductions (total should exceed $5202). Bring the list along with the organized receipts
- Copy of a check, if you want a refund to be deposited or a direct debit for a balance due from your bank account
NOTE: We cannot prepare returns that are Out-of-Scope for our program. We cannot prepare returns with Rental property, a net loss from self-employment, sale of anything other than a California residence, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
An Intake/Interview Sheet (Form 13614-C) must be completed for each return that is prepared.
For your convenience, the form will be available in the LW Library. Please pick up the form and complete it in advance.
The tax preparation room is in Clubhouse 3, in the Knowledge and Learning Center computer room. You will participate in an interview with the tax preparer and the Quality Reviewer. The process will take at least an hour to have the tax return prepared, reviewed, and printed. It will be e-filed later that day.
Return to Top
Amazon Reward Program Will End on February 20
Amazon just announced the end of the Smile.Amazon.com Community Reward program as of February 20th, 2023, and GAF would like to thank for the community’s support to bring the funds to provide extra services.
Amazon launched AmazonSmile to make it easier for customers to support their favorite charities. However, after almost a decade, the program has not grown to create the impact that they had originally hoped. With so many eligible organizations—more than 1 million globally—their ability to have an impact was often spread too thin.
They will continue to pursue and invest in other areas where they’ve seen they can make meaningful change—from building affordable housing to providing access to computer science education for students in underserved communities to using our logistics infrastructure and technology to assist broad communities impacted by natural disasters.
To help charities like the GAF that have been a part of the AmazonSmile program with this transition, Amazon will be providing us with a one-time donation equivalent to three months of what they earned in 2022 through the program, and Amazon will also be able to accrue additional donations until the program officially closes in February. Once AmazonSmile closes, charities, like GAF will still be able to seek support from Amazon customers by creating our own wish lists.
GAF would receive anywhere from $250 to $300 each quarter since 2013, especially during the Holidays it would go up more than $300 as the community reward, and the funds have been used for existing programs or new programs to enhance the lives of L.W shareholders.
There is another way to donate to the Golden Age Foundation, and we would like to ask if anyone hasn’t signed up with Ralphs Community Reward program, please sign up by following below:
Ralph’s Reward program is another way to donate to the Golden Age Foundation. Sign up on www.ralphs.com. You will need your Ralph’s Reward Card number to register or the phone number associated with your account. Ralph’s Reward registration phone number is (800) 443-4438 and be sure to let them know GAF non-profit organization (NPO) number with Ralph’s FS 519 to register. Be sure to check the bottom of the receipt to verify that GAF received credit.
The Golden Age Foundation is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization dedicated to serving the special needs of our shareholders and residents. The Foundation was established in 1973 by members of the Board of Directors of the Golden Age Foundation.
Our purpose is to make our community a better and happier place in which to live. When there is a well-defined need calling for a solution, Golden Age will fill it whenever possible. You can reach us by phone at 562-431-9589.