by Vicki Cormack

John Ryan works on a fence. Photo courtesy of Senior Coastsiders.

Many people wonder what exactly we do at Senior Coastsiders. Very simply, we offer help for seniors and individuals with disabilities. We provide information and referrals, transportation, care management, friendly visits, classes and trips — as well as daily hot lunches and home-delivered meals. We also assist those recently recovering from injury or needing additional assistance at home; that might involve minor home repairs including installation of grab bars and other safety items, or help with shopping. On a larger scale, we sponsor special events including the Pumpkin Run, Seniors Night Out and the annual Home Rehabilitation Day.

Some people have thanked us for the help they receive. Others express their appreciation for being given the opportunity to help. Many of the seniors we support through our volunteer services once were volunteers themselves.

One of our biggest events occurs Saturday, June 6, 2009. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. volunteers will work on 15-30 homes, making them safe and accessible for senior and disabled people. We also organize teams of volunteers to do gardening and some larger construction under supervision. It is a totally volunteer-driven program.

John Ryan, Tom Kirkpatrick, Brian Lee and Vic Tigerman work together to make a senior's home safe and accessible.

This year, we will be working on painting, building ramps and staircases, reinforcing porches and hand railings, cleaning mold and restoring siding to homes. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to do weeding, pruning and gardening for seniors up and down the coast. This year, we have a project that involves repair and safety issues for people who built their home in the 1970s.

If you would like to volunteer or are part of a group that would like to join us, please call Senior Coastsiders at 650-726-9056 or go to www.seniorcoastsiders.org to download a volunteer application on or before May 15.

Vicki Cormack is the coordinator of volunteers and home rehab at Senior Coastsiders.

Susan Kealey and other volunteers work with members of the Interact Club on seniors