While “Social Distancing” you can still do things to help others. Here are some ideas.
1. Call Friends and Family:
—Everyone will need to be connected. Set up virtual connections. Eat together, watch a movie together, play board games together etc. via Skype, FaceTime video etc.
2. Support the Conejo Valley Meal and Shelter Program:
—The program is being shut down beginning 3/16. Harbor House, a local non-profit who supports those in our community in need is putting up homeless individuals who would have come to the shelter in motels and providing meals. They need help. If you are able to make a donation, visit their website HERE. They are also asking for people to help make lunches which will be distributed to those in need. Sign up to make lunches HERE.
3. Support our Troops and First Responders:
—Visit Operation Gratitude’s website for ideas and instructions. Operation Gratitude Website
Here are a few ideas:
—Write letters thanking our troops for their service
—Make paracord bracelets – Purchase Materials HERE
—Clean out your supply of beanie babies and put them aside to donate to Operation Gratitude when we are able to be out and about again.
4. Support Children Who Have Been Abused or Neglected:
—Visit My Stuff Bag’s website. – My Stuff Bag’s Website
—Make fleece blankets for My Stuff Bags Foundation. – Find Out More HERE
—Make uplifting cards to given to the children.
—Make friendship bracelets to be given to the children.
5. Support the Homeless community:
—Knit or crochet hats, scarfs or blankets and contact Harbor House to drop them off to Harbor House. Find out more HERE. We will also be collecting them when we are able to reopen.
6. Make A Kindness Jar:
—Make a kindness jar that is filled with ideas of random acts of kindness that your kids can do, you can do as a family, etc. Acts of kindness can be simple things children say or do that demonstrate a concern or care for others. Your entire family can help think of acts of kindness they can do. It’s a great opportunity to talk about what kindness is, why it is important to be kind to others, etc.
7. Support Seniors:
—Make cards and send them to Senior Homes. Here are few local addresses:
Hillcrest Royale Retirement Living
190 Hillcrest Dr.
Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks Royale
45 Erbes Rd.
Thousand Oaks
Sunrise of Westlake Village
3101 Townsgate Rd.
Thousand Oaks
Atria Grand Oaks –
2177 E Thousand Oaks Blvd,
Thousand Oaks
The Reserve at Thousand Oaks
3575 N. Moorpark Rd.
Thousand Oaks
Belmont Village
3680 N Moorpark Rd.
Thousand Oaks
Atria Hillcrest
405 Hodencamp Rd.
Thousand Oaks
Sunrise Senior Living
3101 Townsgate Rd.
Thousand Oaks
Meadowbrook of Agoura Hills
5217 Chesebro Rd.
Agoura Hills
Jewish Home for the Aging
7150 Tampa Ave.
Reseda, CA 91335 OR
18855 Victory Blvd
Reseda, CA 91335
8. Make Medical Masks:
—The Women’s Interfaith Network is making masks at the request of local hospitals. Here are the instructions:
As you may have read or seen on the news numerous groups are joining together to make fabric face masks for doctors and nurses. Our interfaith group is taking on this task and working with several local organizations to provide the needed masks. The regular N95 protective masks are in very short supply and are being re-used in various hospitals. Even if the N95s arrive, the medical personnel are wanting these fabric masks to place over the disposable masks so that they can then be washed and re-used.
We are looking for people that have sewing machines and are willing to create these masks as well as anyone who has extra fabric (cotton or flannel is preferred), elastic or ribbons for tying to donate. I am including several patterns below and there is a group of us that are willing to pick up any completed fabric masks as well as fabric, elastic or ribbons you are willing to donate. Either way, please email me and we can make arrangements for pick ups. Thanks much – Lisa Mitchell/llbc885@hotmail.com
Instructions through Joann’s Fabrics HERE
Instructions through a FreeSwing Blog HERE
Instructions through Deaconess HERE
9. Meals on Wheels:
—Senior Concerns needs help with Meals on Wheels – (805) 497-0189/www.seniorconcerns.org . They can especially use donations to fund their programs.
—Our Meals On Wheels Program continues to be fully operational and in just one week we have seen a 20% increase in seniors requesting meals. We expect that to persist as pantries become empty and seniors are afraid to venture out. Senior Concerns is delivering freshly prepared meals seven days a week. We are committed that our Meals On Wheels Program will continue and expand to meet the growing need.
—We have also launched a NEW Emergency Wrap Around Service for Homebound Seniors. Working with a skeleton staff and a team of volunteers, we are delivering groceries to seniors sheltered in place. We are helping seniors sign up for prescription delivery or in some cases picking up prescriptions that are currently waiting for them at their pharmacy. We are providing telephone-based support to answer a myriad of questions that arise at this unprecedented time by our community’s seniors and family caregivers.
10. Manna Conejo Food Pantry
—3020 Crescent Way, Thousand Oaks (805) 497-4959
—The Manna Food Pantry is open to serve low income families and they are still accepting food donations.
—They have donation bins outside during their drop off hours: Monday – Friday 7:30am-4:00pm and Saturday form 9:30am-1:00pm.
***As things are changing quickly, please call them before going there.
11. Financial Assistance
If you are able to help financially, all local non-profits are in need.
There are just a few ideas. If you have any other projects that we can share with our community, please send them to socialaction@adatelohim.com.