Friends of Seniors Newsletter – August 2025

Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Their Time of Need

Community Grant Program

Since 2013, Friends of Seniors has awarded 61 competitive grants to nonprofits and agencies serving seniors on the Western Slope. In 2025, we awarded a total of $17,000 in grant funds.

Congratulations to Our 2025 Recipients!

Arts and Culture El Dorado – Veterans’ Voices Writing Workshop
EDC Adult Day Care – Respite Care
Senior Peer Counseling – Staff and Volunteer Training
Growlersburg VFW POST 9241 – Senior Community Center
Imagination Theater – Rights to perform “Into the Woods”
EDC HHSA – Senior Transportation

Senior Emergency Fund

Since its establishment in 2015, our Senior Emergency Fund has provided a crucial safety net for seniors facing unexpected financial crises. This year, we’ve helped:

Purchase a hot water heater for an elderly woman living in a trailer with no hot water.
Pay the deposit for a homeless man to secure his first apartment.
Buy special glasses for a man blind in one eye and losing vision in the other.

Stories like these are what make our work so worthwhile.

Senior Santa – 13th Annual Celebration

On December 4th, we brought holiday cheer to 55 seniors and 35 volunteers at our 13th Annual Senior Santa event.

Each senior received a $125 gift card for holiday shopping and enjoyed a turkey luncheon at Green Valley Community Church Café. Gifts were wrapped, music filled the air, and Santa made a magical appearance! Every senior also received a handmade lap quilt.

We look forward to celebrating our 14th Annual Senior Santa in 2025!

Wine in the Vines – 2024

Our 10th annual “Wine in the Vines” fundraiser was held at Shadow Ranch Vineyard in Somerset in 2024. Supporters enjoyed Shadow Ranch wines, live music, a buffet, and a silent auction — all in support of our Community Grant Program.

We are grateful to our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees. Unfortunately, we will not hold the event in 2025.

Budget Cuts to Senior Services

Due to a county budget shortfall, the Board of Supervisors has decided to close the El Dorado Hills Senior Day Care as of July 1st.

While no other senior programs have been cut for this fiscal year, services such as Senior Legal, Senior Day Care, and Home Delivered Meals remain at risk as the County considers reducing General Fund dependency for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

We will continue to monitor developments and advocate for these essential services. To stay informed, please email us at info@friendsofEDCseniors.org.

How You Can Help

Want to help Friends of Seniors make a difference? You can donate online or by mailing a check. Your support allows us to continue providing emergency assistance, grants, and community events for seniors.

Thank You from Our Board:

Chair: Kathi Lishman
Vice Chair: Bob Steele
Secretary: George Appelbaum
Treasurer: Norma Echabarne
Diana Steele
Paula Grady
Carroll Vinson

Friends of Seniors is a fund under the auspices and charitable designation of the El Dorado Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3).