Community Service News and Updates:
Fall 2011 - Winter 2012:
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The afghans from your knitting squares are beautiful! RAIN delivers them to the elderly. |
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COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE REPORT
The Community Outreach Committee has been meeting every two months. We care about the community in which we live and we work towards doing our part to enhance the lives of those in need. One way is to support those organizations that we feel can use our help. It is also another way for us to work together and feel good about ourselves. You are welcome to become active on the committee or contribute in many of the following way. Please feel free to contact our chairperson, Edie D. at 805 777-1704 if you would like to join us.
Our main project has been to support RAIN, the transitional home for homeless families in Çamarillo. This is on-going. We ask that you help us by collecting toiletries for men and women from hotels when you travel, and bring them to this facility. This month RAIN has asked for liquid detergent & disposable diapers. If you have some eating utensils that you are no longer using please include them as that is also something RAIN can use. Periodically they keep us informed of their special needs. Just get what you have collected to someone on our committee and we do the rest.
Here are some “help make a difference to the community” ideas that are doable and simple:
Collect SODA TABS to help Ronald McDonald House. Call Debbie Norden at 805- 498- 0051
Link your RALPHS CARD to LA Regional Food Bank to help “Strike out Hunger.” They will donate a percentage of your purchase. Please let the Food Bank know.
Assist MANNA on food distribution days. Call Susan Carl (818-865-2934) to get more information.
VERIZON uses OLD CELL PHONES to give to those who need emergency phones.
You are welcome to join us for our next meeting at Barnes and Noble in Westlake Village.
Green tip: For computers and electronics:
To find the most responsible recyclers go to www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html.
To find used motor oil hotlines for each state go to www.recycleoil.org
For Ink/toner cartridges: www.recycleplace.com
Should you replace all of your existing lightbulbs with CFLs—they are more expensive—or wait until they burn out?
Compact fluorescent lamps cost about $2 more—but use 75% less energy than standard bulbs and last much longer (10,000 hours compared to 750). You might consider swapping the highest used bulbs first. Change the kitchen bulbs immediately, but you could wait on the guest room. What is important is that you take even a small step towards creating a healthier and more efficient environment.
Email Susan C. or Sharon C. shrnbloom@yahoo.com or call Edie with any question.
HERE IS OUR GREEN TIPS LIST:
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To avoid extra amounts of pesticide residue, the most important fruits to buy ORGANIC include apples, cherries, nectarines, strawberries, and imported grapes. This information comes from various co-ops and health newsletters.
- A few tips on HOW TO SAVE WATER for the Brandeis Green-Minded (Should be EVERYONE): Repair dripping faucets and save up to 2700 gallons a year. Water during the early morning hours when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter. Use leftover ice cubes to water plants or put them in your pet’s water dish. Turn off water when brushing your teeth to save five gallons.
KAISER-PERMANENTE SUGGESTS HELPFUL HINTS FOR MEDICINES.
- KEEP MEDICINE IN ITS ORIGINAL CHILD-RESISTANT CONTAINER. SCRATCH OR MARK OUT THE PATIENT INFORMATION ON THE LABEL.
- PLACE SOME WATER INTO SOLID MEDICATIONS. THEN ADD SOMETHING NONTOXIC AND UNPALATABLE SUCH AS KITTYLITTER, SAWDUST, CHARCOAL, COMET OR CAYENNE PEPPER.
- CLOSE AND SEAL THE CONTAINER LIDS TIGHTLY WITH PACKING OR DUCT TAPE. IF DISCARDING BLISTER PACKS OF UNUSED MEDS, WRAP IN MULTIPLE LAYERS OF DUCT TAPE.
- PLACE MEDICINE CONTAINERS IN DURABLE PACKAGING THAT DOES NOT SHOW WHAT IS INSIDE (A CARDBOARD BOX).
- PLACE IN THE TRASH CLOSE TO GARBAGE PICKUP TIME.
ANOTHER WAY TO FEEL GOOD...
~~ Fluorescent lights--household cleaners--paints--motor oil-- antifreeze and other auto fluid waste:
Household Hazardous Waste Çollection is held on the first Saturday of each month. Call 805 449-SAVE or log onto www.toaks.org/hhw.
~~ Take your electronics to Sears parking lot on Hillcrest at the Goodwill drop off site. Old batteries can be dropped off at the Goebel Sr. Center, TO Library or City Hall, Civic Arts Plaza.
~~ Safely recycle your old medicines by dropping them off at Ventura Mental Health, 72 Moody Ct, Thousand Oaks. 805 777-3500. Diabetic needles can go to Los Robles Medical Center.
~~ Old cell phones -- to Verizon.
~~ Old batteries container also located at the Goebel Senior Center.