Residents can recycle used batteries on July 28 in the CH 2 parking lot

GOLDEN AGE FOUNDATION EVENTS

The Golden Age Foundation (GAF) held its annual volunteer picnic on June 25 with over 75 people in attendance. The picnic provides an opportunity for members to meet other GAF volunteers.

During the picnic, the GAF highlighted different parts of its volunteer programs including the board, hospitality service, mobility aids, annual income tax filing, shredding and Salvation Army donation.

GAF President Anna Derby commented that without each volunteer’s dedicated service, the GAF wouldn’t be able to function.

GRF Board President Jeff Mulqueen also spoke at the event and said that what the GAF has been doing for the community would be an inspiration for the GRF Board to provide the best service to the community.

The GAF board and service leaders thanked the volunteers and GRF staff who helped make each free event possible throughout the year.

••• Ice Cream Social July 16 To celebrate summer in Leisure World, the GAF will host an ice cream social in Clubhouse 4 on July 16 from 2-4 p.m.

Residents will be treated to a free one scoop of ice cream and have the opportunity to spend time with the GAF board and volunteers to learn more about the organization.

A poster presentation from the 50th anniversary celebration will be onsite for guests to see some of the many projects the GAF has funded in the past.

Residents can also speak to GAF volunteers about donating to the organization to help keep the GAF programs free to all residents.

People will also have the opportunity to sign up to become a member of the GAF at the social.

••• Ralphs Community Contribution Program Sign-Ups July 15 One of the ways to donate is through the Ralphs Community Contribution program. People can sign up for Ralphs Community Contribution Program on July 15 from 9-11 a.m. in the Clubhouse 6 hospitality area.

The GAF joined the Ralphs Reward program in 2014 to raise funds to add amenities and ser-

The Golden Age Foundation celebrated its volunteers and hard work at its annual picnic on June 25.

Emma DiMaggio vices to help residents through its free events.

Since joining the Ralphs Community Contribution program, there have been nearly 650 shareholders who have signed up to support the GAF, which brings in more than $1,500 each quarter—almost $6,500 annually.

The Ralphs Community Contribution Program is an easy way for Leisure World residents to raise money for the GAF while grocery shopping at no extra cost. People only need to scan their Ralphs Reward card at check out and Ralphs, through its parent company Kroger, will donate a percentage of the grocery total to the GAF.

To sign up for the program, people will need to provide their a Ralphs membership card or number, an email address and bring a cell phone to receive the verification code from company. It will take about 10-15 minutes to complete the process.

The GAF board will be there to help people sign up for the Ralph’s Reward program.

••• Battery Recycling July 28 Residents can recycle used batteries on Tuesday, July 28, in the Clubhouse 2 parking lot, from 10 a.m.-noon. E-waste will be also collected at the event. GRF ID is required.

The GAF has partnered with the student-run nonprofit Teens Against E-waste for the program.

The nonprofit aims to raise public awareness of the pressing issue of e-waste, take action towards a greener planet, and engage teenage leaders in youth activism.

The nonprofit was founded by high school freshman Joshua Lou in spring 2021 in Cypress, California, and spread to Canada in September of the same year. To make a greater impact, they launched the international One Million Batteries campaign in November 2021 and the WEEEcycle campaign in July 2022. So far, it has expanded to over 60 branches in six countries.

The nonprofit will send a group of approximately 10-12 students and 4-5 parent volunteers to the GAF’s event. The GAF board will coordinate and assist in collecting and sorting batteries. The students will wear the yellow vests for visibility versus the GAF board, who will have the red vest.

The GAF asks shareholders to separate hearing aid batteries in a small plastic bag.

Accepted e-waste items include:

• Computer monitors

• Televisions

• Laptops

• CRT monitors

• DVD players

• Scanners

• Fax machines

• Copy machines

• Printers

• Radios

• Stereos/speakers

• Vacuum cleaners

•Microwaves

• Mini refrigerators

• Other small household electronics E-Waste items that will not accepted include:

•Mercury-containing equipment • Light bulbs or fluorescent tubes

• Aerosol cans

• Liquids

• Refrigerators

• Washing machines

• Dryers

• Dishwashers This service is for Leisure World shareholders’ personal household batteries only. No business batteries.

The GAF believes it is important to keep the planet clean. One of the ways to do this is to recycle batteries instead of throwing them in the trash.

For more information about the GAF or to volunteer, call or text 562-301-5339. —Anna Derby The Golden Age Foundation is not affiliated with the Golden Rain Foundation.

The GAF will host an ice cream social on July 16 in Clubhouse 4.