Understand the difference between the GAF and GRF
Residents can donate gently used goods to the Salvation Army during the GAF’s donation drive in the Amphitheater parking lot on Saturday, June 13, from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
In addition to the donation drive providing a convenient place to drop off donations, the program also saves shareholders money by cutting down on expensive haul-away costs for items that were previously disposed of at the 1.8-Acre site.
The collection bags will be put out two weeks before the collection date at the LW Weekly office. Collection bags will no longer be available in clubhouses.
The Salvation Army accepts donations of clean, gently used household items including clothing, bedding, kitchenware, small appliances, electronics, toys, sporting goods, books, art, home decor, and small-tomedium furniture.
For more information on donating, contact Geneva Potepan at 951-675-4271, or 562-3015339, or email mom4rascal@aol.com.
••• The difference between the GAF and GRF Although the GAF and the GRF are often confused, they are two completely separate organizations.
The Golden Rain Foundation is the nonprofit corporation that manages the shared property of Leisure World. This corporation has employees, an executive director, and a board of directors that sit on numerous committees, such as Administration, Facilities, Member Services, Operations, Finance and others.
Every resident of Leisure World is a member of the Golden Rain Foundation, which is why they are called shareholders. The Golden Rain Foundation is funded by a portion of the monthly carrying charge.
The Golden Age Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a small board of directors. Every person in the organization is a volunteer with no paid staff. Volunteers are easy to recognise with the red vests they don at each event. The GAF’s mission is to make the LW community a better place in which to live. Its funding is totally dependent on contributions. When the GAF receives a large bequest, it usually is designated for a specific project. In one case, a bequest from a $100,000 estate replaced and updated the gym equipment. The GAF was also able to donate an additional $75,000 in gym equipment. All of this was made possible because the GAF received a couple of major bequests from shareholders’ estates. The GAF worked in tandem with the GRF to make it happen.
The GAF also raises money through regular donations like the Ralphs Community Reward Program and the annual membership drive and Walk-A-Thon, or through donations from the community organizations and churches.
The GAF uses all of its donations to fund free programs for the community like the Hospitality Center in Clubhouse 6, the AARP annual tax preparation program, the paper shredding program, battery recycling program, mobility aids program and the Salvation Army donation drive.
The GAF is always open to and appreciative of donations, both large and small. It asks those who are making a will or trust and want to help to make Leisure World a nicer place, to consider the GAF in their planning. Every single donation, big or small, helps the GAF in achieving its goal.
All LW residents are welcome to become a member and help make life in Leisure World better. Nothing happens in the organization without the dedication and efforts of volunteers. They are the heart and soul of the Golden Age Foundation.
People can donate directly to the GAF by mail at P.O. Box 2369. Seal Beach, CA 90740. People can also go to the Clubhouse 6 Lobby, where there is a white wooden post with donation envelopes and a wall-mounted deposit box metal box next to the Hospitality Center’s service counter. The GAF’s Tax ID is 23-7273105 For more information about the GAF or to volunteer, visit www.goldenagefdn.org or contact Anna Derby at 562- 301-5339. —Anna Derby The Golden Age Foundation is not affiliated with the Golden Rain Foundation.
Anna Derby and Ed Mitchell in front of the GAF donation box he made.
