Letter From the Executive Director
April is a special month at Grey Bears because it is the time of year we celebrate the very foundation of our very existence: volunteerism.
I had the opportunity to take a neighboring property owner on a tour of the Grey Bears campus this week, and he was in awe over the number of people who descend here on a daily basis.
The sheer volume of volunteers struck him—over 500 individuals who donate over 60,000 hours of their time per year. But as we ambled through the bookstore, the small appliance repair area, e-waste workshop, food distribution, warehouse, and kitchen areas, he put his finger on the exact pulse point at the heart of what makes Grey Bears unique.
There is a place for everybody at Grey Bears. We are open, diverse, scrappy, fun-loving, and building community in service to others. As he noticed, we are our own ecosystem, each part literally feeding the other.
For readers wanting to learn more about the abundance of rewarding volunteer opportunities at Grey Bears, please email program coordinator Kelly Murray at kelly@greybears.org for an orientation tour.
We look forward to celebrating our active volunteer-force on Tuesday, April 23 at the Seymour Center. Anyone who has not yet signed up can call the main office at 831-479-1055 or see the link below to sign up directly with Cornell Brown III. It will be a whale of a time!
I hope you are inspired by the insight, compassion, and collective wisdom of the two Grey Bears volunteers featured in this month’s newsletter. I know I am.
In Service,
Jennifer Merchant
Executive Director
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Bear Hugs: Volunteer Appreciation Month
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It’s volunteer appreciation month, and we would like to recognize some of our amazing volunteers who've done so much for us throughout the years for this month’s Bear Hugs.
Meet Harriet, one of the many amazing people in the community who volunteers for our kitchen team. She spent her whole life serving and began volunteering after she retired because she wanted to help serve the world even more.
Harriet found out about Grey Bears through her neighbor, Linda, another fellow volunteer, as she was looking for even more meaning in her work.
She started on the Grey Bears assembly line, then worked her way into the kitchen, and said it gave her a new life because of the experiences she has had with serving food to the community alongside head chef Sandy and the rest of the amazing team.
She cherishes many aspects of her volunteering experience at Grey Bears. Starting with the gratifying process of preparing and serving food to the community, which involves considerable behind-the-scenes effort. Each day brings opportunities for learning and growth as she navigates the challenge of being resourceful and inventive with the available ingredients. She deeply respects the endless passion exhibited by every member of the team, all of whom are committed to making amazing meals for others. Witnessing the heartfelt gratitude and joy expressed by the community upon receiving and enjoying the fruits of their work is a rewarding culmination of the time, energy, and dedication given.
This is the reason why the team pours their hearts into their work every single day; their shared goal is to craft wholesome meals that resonate with the community, knowing the profound impact it has on their lives. The sincere gratitude expressed by those they serve only serves to fuel the team's determination to continue making amazing food. For her, the essence of volunteering lies in the opportunity to enrich the lives of others, a sentiment that comes to fruition every time she contributes to nourishing those in need.
Lastly, being a part of such a unique sense of community that cares about each other is another reason why this experience has changed Harriet’s life. She enjoys meeting and connecting with people from all different walks of life, as they all give her a new perspective on the world and help her grow in so many ways. She is grateful for this whole experience because it may be impossible to find it anywhere else. Volunteering at Grey Bears gives her a true sense of fulfillment.
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We would also like to recognize a special person who volunteered for 22 years as a healthy food program delivery driver, Mildred ‘Millie’ Kaitschuck. Millie volunteered and drove from 1990 through 2016.
She found out about Grey Bears by hearing about it in the newspaper and later discovered that there was a bag pickup at the Felton Presbyterian Church. She went to go pick up a bag and offered to help the delivery driver team if they needed it, then later became one herself.
She said she volunteered for so long because she enjoyed meeting new people and connecting with a sense of community, as everyone in Grey Bears loved to help in any way they could if you needed anything. She also cherished the outings she shared with her friend and fellow volunteer, Adi. Together, they would journey to Grey Bears to collect the healthy food bags, then proceed to deliver them directly to people's homes, as well as to the same church where she initially witnessed Grey Bears' community work firsthand. She felt the impact of giving people the things they really needed to thrive, as she would give extra bags to people who ran out of food as well. Mildred ended up donating her truck when she finished volunteering to try to continue to help Grey Bears even after her volunteering days were over.
Since Mildred is turning 101 years old next month, we asked her if there was any health advice she would like to give, and she said she always tries to eat healthy and takes her vitamins. She stated that she stays away from any activities that could be poor for your health, like smoking, drinking, and even coffee. She’s also not afraid to ask for help if she needs it, and she said that she tries not to get angry and will not allow any negative energy to be stored within herself. Even if people do actions that are harmful to her, she forgives and accepts them, and she will not hold any resentment within. She feels like this helps her happiness, reduce stress, and live more freely throughout life.
Lastly, we asked her if there was anything special she would like to say to the community, and she said that “we all need to pray for peace worldwide.” We all need to have the space and opportunity to live our lives freely, help one another prosper, and live our best lives.
We are so thankful for the amazing people who put in their time, energy, and passion to help the Grey Bears mission come to fruition even more by the day.
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Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
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Since April marks Volunteer Appreciation Month, this is a special time for us to express our heartfelt gratitude and admiration for every dedicated volunteer. Your consistent commitment and invaluable contributions to Grey Bears have shaped our organization's history and mission. Volunteerism continues to be the cornerstone of what we stand for at Grey Bears, and we cherish your time and effort toward serving the 55+ senior community in Santa Cruz County.
This is just a friendly reminder that we are having an appreciation dinner just for our volunteers at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center on Tuesday, April 23rd, to celebrate all our volunteers for the amazing work that has taken place at Grey Bears and the impact that has been left on countless lives in our community! As space is limited and we want to ensure all volunteers have an opportunity to attend, we ask that you inquire with Cornell (available at cornell@greybears.org) or by calling 831-479-1955 before bringing a friend or loved one.
Enjoy a private museum experience, including viewing of exhibits and the tidepool touch table, followed by a dinner catered by our amazing Grey Bears Kitchen. Lastly, raffles and awards will be held at the end.
Recommended attire is beach chic; while the event is mostly indoors, make sure to bundle up as it may get a little chilly in the evening.
If you’re interested in signing up for the event or have any other questions, please contact Cornell at cornell@greybears.org. You may also sign up in person to attend through April 18th in the main 2815 office, the tiny house on the 2710 Chanticleer campus.
Our very existence relies on the goodwill of neighbors like you, and we wouldn’t have made such an impact on the world without all your amazing work. Thank you for all the memories shared and the passion you have to make the world a better place!
We look forward to seeing you all there!
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Seniors Night Out Tie-Dye Event
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This is just a friendly reminder that we will be having a tie-dye workshop today from 3-5 PM for anyone who would like to give a colorful, fresh start to old clothes they aren’t using anymore, where you can make your own tie-dye apparel with fellow members of the community!
You can bring your own belongings, but we will be providing some clothes as well. We recommend wearing dark colors or clothes you don't mind getting messy in case of accidental dye transfer.
We are going to be located behind the warehouse at 2710 Chanticleer Ave., and we can’t wait to see you there!
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Donations Keep Grey Bears Strong
Reflecting on Grey Bears' journey through time inspires us with deep gratitude for the impact your donations have had on the Santa Cruz community. Your continuous support has been one of the key building blocks for our efforts to improve lives, allowing us to provide warmth, nourishment, and compassion to those in need. With your consistent generosity, we can sustainably care for our beloved elders, ensuring they thrive in their golden years. Together, we envision a future in which every senior lives gracefully and our community thrives as never before. Your contribution now is more than just a gift; it is a source of hope for many others. Join us in this important cause, and together, we can build a tomorrow full of dignity, vitality, and endless compassion. Thank you for being such a vital part of our everlasting journey.
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