Golden Age Foundation will continue giving to community

The Golden Age Foundation (GAF) is funded by donations from residents, clubs and groups to support safe, active and independent living in Leisure World. Through generous support, the GAF has organized and implemented many programs that benefit the community. It is run exclusively by resident volunteers so all contributions go directly to meet the needs of the community.

The GAF is the largest nonprofit organization serving in Leisure World. Its mission is to empower residents to live purposeful, healthy, quality lives in their own home and community as they age.

The GAF’s core programs include the Hospitality Center, mobility aids program, free income tax filing program, shredding and battery recycling services and the Salvation Army donation program.

Over the years, the GAF has partnered with or funded many programs in Leisure World, including:

•Helping purchase handicapped accessible buses.

• Upgrading audio interface for the sound systems in Clubhouses 1, 2 and 4.

• Funding the Serenity Park installation in Clubhouse 2.

•Funding library expansion.

•Purchasing new gym equipment in Clubhouse 6.

• Installing community bus benches and shelters.

• Purchasing audio equipment for the hearing impaired in the Learning Center.

• Creating a pedestrian safety system, including audio alerts for the visually impaired and high visibility flags.

•A proactive COVID‐19 response including volunteers staffing vaccination clinics, distributing 5,500 cloth face masks to residents and 45,000 disposable face masks to residents and employees.

•Funding the Meals On Wheels LB and Meals on Wheels OC programs.

•Creating the Walk-A-Thon with over 250 walkers.

• Facilitating the formation of a collaboration team of important Orange County service agencies that focus on aging. The team includes the Council on Aging, Alzheimer’s Orange County and Adult Protective Services which now have an office in Leisure World for residents to access easily.

• Creating the Hayes Grant Project to assist over a dozen clubs by funding necessary equipment to keep regular programs going. These and many more programs show the GAF’s 53 years of dedication to the betterment of the LW community.

Those who want to become involved in the GAF can become a member, make a yearly or one‐time donation, naming the GAF as a beneficiary designation via will or trust, or make a donation through stocks, real estate, or life insurance. Donations can also be made directly to the GAF via P.O. Box 2369 Seal Beach, CA 90740. The GAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, tax ID number 23‐7273105.

For more information, visit www.GoldenAgefdn.org, or call 562-301-5339.

—Anna Derby, president The Golden Age Foundation is not affiliated with the Golden Rain Foundation or LWSB in any way.

Volunteers at the GAF's quarterly shredding service help LWers dispose sensitive documents securely.