 | | | Orinda Senior Village residents write notes to North Bay fires victims. Photo provided | | | | | | There is not a dull moment after Thanksgiving: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and, since 2012, Giving Tuesday or #givingtuesday, a movement created to try to counterbalance the hyper-mercantilization of the post holiday fever.
The Orinda Association, the nonprofit that manages the Seniors Around Town program, decided to become a moving force of #givingtuesday and has started a collection of gifts for North Bay fire victims that will culminate on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Seniors from Orinda Senior Village decided to join in and wrote personal notes of support to the future recipients.
On a Tuesday afternoon, a group of residents living in Orinda Senior Village got together to write encouraging notes to victims of the North Bay fires. Some wrote simply from the heart, conveying thoughts of compassion and friendly support, while others wrote from a model letter as English was not the easiest vehicle for them to express their feelings. All felt moved by what they think fire victims must be going through, as they face the complete devastation of their communities. About 60 cards were handwritten by the seniors on notecards provided by OA board member Kate Wiley.
Eartha Newsong from Orinda Senior Village worked with the association to rally a group of willing scribes. Wiley explains that the idea is comparable to that of writing notes to soldiers for the holidays. The notes will accompany gifts collected through Nov. 28 at the Orinda Association office.
Wiley says that North Bay authorities have been overwhelmed with donations in the first weeks following the fires, but that thinking of victims later in November would be welcomed. Cindy Powell, OA president, brainstormed with her board the best gifts to collect for seniors and children. The plan is to gather books for both ages, new toys, and reading glasses.
The collection bins are accessible during business hours from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 26 Orinda Way on the library plaza, next to Cafe Teatro, until Nov. 28.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA