October 2017           
LBFE Becomes a Nationally Certified Volunteer Service Organization!

LBFE recently completed a very extensive assessment, over 20 hours of training and consulting, and extensive internal planning, to better integrate volunteers throughout our entire organization. We are very pleased to announce that on October 10, we were nationally certified as a Service Enterprise by Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. 

Less than 15% of organizations nationwide can be characterized as Service Enterprises. By achieving this level of excellence and certification, we are now better equipped to leverage the time and talent of dedicated volunteers like you! With your help , LBFE is building a community-wide movement of neighbors helping neighbors, ensuring no one in our community feels isolated and alone. 
LBFE Is on the Air!

LBFE was featured on WCCO Radio's Paul (Douglas) and Jordana (Green) show recently. Communications and Development Director LuAnne Speeter was interviewed for nearly 10 minutes and discussed elder isolation and LBFE's Visiting Volunteers program. Please check out the podcast and share with others! The interview starts at about 15 minutes into the podcast.

Diann, Joanna, Izzie and Maggie
Selfie of the Month
Meet new Visiting Volunteer(s) Joanna, Izzy (8) and Maggie (4) with their Elder Friend Diann. In case you couldn't tell, the selfie was snapped during their visit to the MN State Fair. Joanna reports, " Diann is an absolute joy!"

What have you and your Elder Friend been up to? Send us a quick email and attach your selfie. 
Will you be the next Selfie of the Month? 
Elder Invitations to Holiday Dinners 
If you are a visiting volunteer, please contact your elder friend to make arrangements for them to attend holiday dinners, with or without you! Help  ensure your elder friend celebrates the holidays surrounded by those who care.  If an elder friend is unable to attend the event, we can provide them with a hot, home-delivered meal instead. Just let us know when you RSVP.  RSVP now for your Elder Friend  to attend Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve day dinners.

Holiday dinner roles still available
Volunteer opportunities are still available for both Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve Day and can be found on our website. Please look them over and sign-up for the volunteer role(s) that fits you best!  These spirited celebrations bring comfort and companionship to isolated elders during a season when loneliness is most deeply felt.

For questions or more information:
or 612-746-0725
Send Happy Memories Their Way!
Read how a simple project to provide her parents with a fun surprise in the mail has turned into the source of rich conversations and renewed memories for this writer.