Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Drummer
"I can't think of any other point in my history that preventive care mattered as much as it does right now."
All Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) volunteers selflessly love the work they do to support our local community, but one volunteer in particular, Mary Drummer, believes that despite her life-time career as a nurse, her recent work assisting BCHD community efforts in response to COVID-19 is one of the most important volunteer projects she’s ever been involved with.
As a retired nurse, member of the LA Medical Reserve Corps, BCHD Volunteer (Community Health Committee, Volunteer Advisory Council, Test Site Volunteer making positive callbacks) and recipient of the BCHD Volunteer Core Value Award for Integrity in 2017, Mary is no stranger to serving the community in a variety of ways using her medical background.
BCHD has been in COVID-19 response since March, running its Redondo Beach testing site in partnership with Los Angeles County. Due to the sheer volume of patients and the nature of the pandemic, people who test through the Los Angeles County community testing sites receive their results via email, while those who test positive at the Redondo Beach site also receive a phone call.
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BCHD continues to publish a regular newsletter, website updates and social media posts to inform the community of the latest guidance regarding COVID-19 health guidance, testing, closures, and recovery. Be a health leader in the community by staying informed and staying safe.
In addition to physical distancing and wearing cloth face coverings when we are around others, we all still need to take the same precautions that we were taking earlier on in the pandemic - wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and self-isolate if you are sick. These actions combined are the best defense against COVID-19.
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Featured Opportunity: Meal Delivery Volunteers
Community members who are isolated at home are submitting requests to BCHD for assistance with meal delivery. Meal Delivery Volunteers help the community by providing prepared meals and thus, increased food security, to these individuals. Volunteers will need to be 18+ and have reliable transportation to deliver meals within the Beach Cities as well as follow safety protocol. Shifts are available on Mondays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.and on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Featured Opportunity: Computer Operators at Test Site
Opportunity to volunteer operating computers at our COVID-19 test site. Volunteers will confirm appointments and issue test kits to individuals. Must be 18+ and have familiarity with operating a computer (e.g. how to scroll, type, use the keypad, drop down menu, open an app). Volunteers will be provided with masks and gloves and follow site safety protocol. Shifts available Monday- Thursday from 7:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m.
If any current BCHD volunteers are interested in helping out with either of these opportunities, please fill out this form and we will reach out to discuss further.
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Volunteers Continue Supporting Vulnerable Residents |
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While most BCHD volunteer roles continue to be on hold for safety reasons, some groups are meeting virtually and others are providing support to residents like running errands for essential supplies. We also have volunteers making check-in calls to BCHD clients which increases connection and reduces social isolation from a distance.
In June, volunteers began assisting with delivering ready to eat meals to vulnerable community members. In June, we received a lot of support from the Harbor College Nursing Students at the COVID-19 Test Site. In July, volunteers began adding to our impact by assisting with calling people who tested positive for COVID-19 at the Redondo Beach test site where there were 1,077 positive cases tested. There is a team of two staff and seven volunteers making calls. July also saw the highest number of interactions between volunteers and their older adult clients and adult clients with disabilities.
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Volunteer Hours
In 2019, volunteers reported more than 36,000 hours which made a big impact on the individual and collective level. We know that 2020 will not reach that level because of the COVID-19 situation. However, considering the reality of this time, we feel the hours you’ve given to our programs are remarkable and don’t fully capture the support people have given to the community. When the students went back to school, we shifted to utilizing BCHD staff at the testing site.
January: 2,863
February: 2,491
March: 1,073
April: 412
May: 334
June: 1,454
July: 776
2020 Total: 9,403
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Volunteer Anniversaries
Although many of you aren’t actively volunteering in your usual roles right now, we are endlessly grateful for your commitment. The many collective years of effort toward a healthy beach community from our volunteer corps is truly incredible!
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August Anniversaries*
Linda Donato, 19
Sharon Boyer, 18
George Schmeltzer, 18
Mary Drummer, 15
Mary Wadman, 9
Barbara Carlson, 5
Amy Quan, 5
Julia Bassine, 4
Amy Josefek, 4
Marie Puterbaugh, 3
Brad Angle, 1
Chloe Cantalupo, 1
Teresa Haddad, 1
Dolores Keeling, 1
Kimberly Shaw, 1
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* Official years of service in BCHD system. |
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While BCHD general operations have shifted to community response to COVID-19, we currently aren’t doing in-person events or on-boarding new volunteers for our regular roles. However, we still want to connect our volunteers! |
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Join Our Virtual Socials
Thank you to all who have been able to join our Virtual Volunteer Socials thus far! We’ve had so much fun sharing and connecting and feels nice to “see” you! We will be hosting our Socials on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 1pm and welcome you all to join! Please reserve your spot, as space is limited.
August Virtual Volunteer Social
Thursday August 20th at 1 p.m.
September Virtual Volunteer Socials
Thursday September 3rd at 1 p.m.: “Bring” your favorite board game or card game.
Thursday September 17th at 1 p.m.:“Bring” something that reminds you of Fall.
* Zoom info will be emailed to those who RSVP the morning of event.
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Join the Moai Movement
Looking to connect with others in the community who share similar interests? A Moai (pronounced “Mo-Eye”) is a group of people meeting for a common purpose and can include activities like walking, purpose discussions and potluck meals. The word “Moai” comes from Okinawa, Japan, where neighbors use Moais as support systems. Based on this tradition, Moai groups are considered just as important to a person’s health as the benefits of being active, healthy eating, and finding a purpose.
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Just For Fun Puzzle!
Enjoy some downtime solving this super fun crossword puzzle using the clues below.
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Crossword Puzzle Clues
Across
2. Large road vehicle
3. People you know well and regard with affection and trust
5. To live a life of wellness
6. The trait of being aware of your thoughts, emotions, and how you're feeling both physically and mentally
8. Inhale and exhale
Down
1. A small outdoor fire for warmth or cooking
2. Something you read
4. A person who performs voluntary work
7. A bag carried by a strap on your back or shoulder
8. Beach Cities Health District
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July's Word Search Answers |
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BELONG
DOWNSHIFT
FIREWORKS
GRILL
INDEPENDENCE
MOVE
PURPOSE
SOCIAL
SUMMER
VACATION
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Whether you're looking for COVID-19 or testing information, a local mental health provider or wanting assistance with errands, call the Assistance, Information & Referral line at 310-374-3426, ext. 256, seven days a week, 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m. to access the below services during COVID-19.
Our errand assistance program provides essentials to Beach Cities residents including groceries and household and cleaning supplies. The program now includes meal delivery services, providing affordable and healthy meals for home delivery to vulnerable populations and those safer at home in the Beach Cities.
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Virtual Summer Free Fitness |
Break a sweat and de-stress safely from your home!
Monday, August 24
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Zumba
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Virtual Blue Zones Project Cooking Show |
Learn about Blue Zones Project inspired food from registered dietitian, Marissa Martorana, and get a taste of how to live longer, better.
This month's cooking show will highlight recipes using peaches in honor of National Peach Month!
Thursday, August 27
4 - 5 p.m.
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Support your well-being with casual discussions focused on connection and resilience.
Tuesdays
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
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Virtual Mental Health & Happiness: An Introduction to the Series |
This introduction provides an overview of the series designed to support well-being through gratitude, empathy, bravery and purpose. Learn techniques to build a practice supporting stress resilience and positive social connections.
Friday, August 28
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
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Virtual Mindfulness Drop-In |
Take 30 minutes to downshift and practice mindfulness techniques.
Wednesday, September 2
4 - 4:30 p.m.
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