April Take Care Totes Packed with Games, Activities & a Bit of Luxury

by Laurie Mason, program coordinator

Take Care Totes go out to members April 15 packed with practical items like chapstick, face masks, fruit cups and tissue packs, granola bars, chocolates and fresh fruit.

This month a bit of luxury is included as well, donated by Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort in the form of a ready-made lunch. Games are an important part of keeping the brain stimulated, so members will find fidget toys, bubbles as well as activity sheets to do with at-home caregivers.

Also included are 2021 calendars and desk planners, and Friendship Center's Americana Music & Activity Book featuring traditional American songs like “You Are My Sunshine,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Big Rock Candy Mountain.” Each song has a tale to tell, so music trivia and song-themed activities are also included. The Americana Music & Activity Book was compiled by Friendship Center Intern Claire Arnold, a senior at Westmont College.

“These Totes provide nourishing snacks, fun games and puzzles, brain stimulation in the form of Activity Sheets, Great Song Book for our musical classes and positive reinforcement for our members and their family caregivers,” says Family Services Manager Kim Larsen, chief Take-Care Tote donations seeker and, with Program Specialist Esther Kratz, co-organizer. “It’s important to us to communicate that our Friendship Center community cares, and we’ve not forgotten about them or their needs.”

Take Care Totes are delivered to 42 Friendship Center Members who participate in our virtual Community Connect Adult Program. Volunteers from the S.B. Bucket Brigade Volunteers, Easy Lift and Friendship Center Board Member Karolyn Hanna will help deliver the totes to members homes.

In addition to the totes, Friendship Center continues to provide personal services outside of the Community Connect Adult Program. These includes Drive-In parties, personal letters and cards and regular telephone calls.

If you or your business would like to donate to the Take Care Totes program, please contact Kim at (805) 969-0859, Press 2, or kim@friendshipcentersb.org.