Neighbors Care Alliance
What Is Happening At Corona Cares
Corona Cares is nearing its 13th year of service to the Corona de Tucson community. At this time, we have 19 volunteers, including the
were 21 attendees in addition to our PCOA liaison, Mary O’Donoghue. In the past, the youth group from a local faith community provided a dinner for all of Corona Cares. In 2021, the kids delivered a meal and sang a Christmas carol. In 2022, they were able to have an in-house dinner for us. The kids serve the meal, sit with the guests to talk while we eat, and provide entertainment to top off the evening. Everyone loves this special intergenerational event and was happy to once again be able to gather together. As part of our community outreach and in partnership with the Corona de Tucson Community Alliance, we purchase snacks to stock the three Corona de Tucson school pantries for the students who come to school hungry. We also donate funds to ReSources in Vail to help with their backpack program for the Vail Unified School District. During the fall, Corona Cares, youth from a faith community, Corona de Tucson Community Alliance, and community members donated manpower for community projects. We painted planters at Fire Station 181 and cleared underbrush at two schools ensuring safer walking for the community and the school crossing. Corona Cares loans assistive devices like gait belts, basic walkers, seat walkers, knee walkers, canes and pick-up tools which are available for anyone in the community, either short- or long-term. We also connect people with lock boxes for first responders’ ease of access (at no cost for volunteers and recipients).
seven-member board, serving 16 recipients. Services provided include transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and prescription pickup; friendly phone calls; and friendly visits for shut-ins and those who live alone. Caregiver relief is available for those who need a break from caring for a loved one. Although services were restricted during the height of the COVID pandemic, we are back to helping those who need our services. We have retained some transportation limitations, but strive to help people get to their appointments. For the first time in three years (because of COVID), we were able to have a volunteer appreciation luncheon in October 2022 to honor the volunteers for their dedicated support. Each volunteer received a breadboard with the logo of Corona Cares engraved on it. The volunteers and recipients also received a goodie bag during the holiday season along with some donations from the community. A quilt group in Tucson donates approximately ten lap quilts each year for recipients and volunteers. The holiday luncheon for volunteers and recipients was held in January 2023 at the Arizona Family Restaurant in Green Valley. There
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Back row: Katie Bjorlin, Butch Bjorlin, Ellie Abraham, Debra Perry, Diane Newerry, Ann deCourcy, Ed Buster Front row: Andrene Woida, Barbara Geschwinder, Nancy Velasco, Kris Wyrobeck, Linda Lawson, Carol di Miceli
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Left to Right: Butch Bjorlin, Carmela d'Amore, Nancy Velasco, Anne Perrin, Debra Perry
For anyone within the Corona de Tucson service area who is interested in receiving services or volunteering, call (520) 395-9327 or email coronacares@cox.net.
March 2023, Never Too Late | Page 31
Pima Council on Aging
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