1. education
2. high school

Our Wish List
A New Leaf
We are always in need of things to help our clients have a fun and interesting day. We are
incorporating a wish list. If you have any of these items you would like to share with us, we
would appreciate it.
Gilroy -
(1) a small portable fan (2) paper towels (3) flavored decaf tea (4) kitchen cutting board
(5) lo-salt crackers (6) magazine subscriptions (7) Reader’s Digests
Donation of holiday items that we can sell to raise funds - ornaments, table decorations, etc.,
for our December fundraiser.
Los Gatos -
Cupertino -
(1) AA batteries (2) case of paper placemats (Smart & Final) (3) case of paper towels (Costco)
(4) package of Kleenex - 12 each (Costco) (5) package of napkins - 4 each (Costco)
(6) used, recycled and plastic grocery bags (7) new refrigerator (8) 9 oz. paper cups
(1) digital camera (2) garden umbrellas (2)
Willow Glen - (1) paint ( acrylic, tempura, non-toxic ) (2) books ( trivia, word search, crosswords )
(3) glitter glue, glue sticks (4) seasonal stickers (5) construction paper (6) 8+ megapixel
digital camera (7) bingo prizes (men & women) (8) dvds
Executive Director
Colleen Hudgen
Tel: (408) 971-9363
e-mail: liveoak@attglobal.net
www.liveoakadultdaycare.org
Willow Glen Center
Program Directors
Marques Ransom
Ana Jones
Assistant Program Director
Erica Baker
1147 Minnesota Avenue
San Jose, CA. 95125
Tel: (408) 971-9363
Fax: (408) 971-9079
Los Gatos Center
Program Director
Mary Kelley
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 16
Los Gatos, Ca. 95030
Assistant Program Director
Ilona Richmond
111 Church Street
Los Gatos, CA. 95030
Tel: (408) 354-4782
Fax: (408) 354-6648
Gilroy Center
Program Director
Cheryl Huguenor
Assistant Program Director
Gloria Martinez-King
1147 Minnesota Avenue
San Jose, CA. 95125
Address Service Requested
651 W. Sixth Street, Ste. 2
Gilroy, CA. 95020
Tel: (408) 847-5491
Fax: (408) 847-2041
Cupertino Center
Program Director
Charlie Niemeyer
Assistant Program Director
Kelly Kinney
20920 McClellan Road
Cupertino, CA. 95014
Tel: (408) 973-0905
Fax: (408) 973-0952
♦
SEPTEMBER 2012
♦
Dance Like You’re 100
“Annastasia was born the same week Titanic set sail!”
Carly Gelsinger – Staff Writer
Gilroy Dispatch
Annastasia Pawlak was finishing up her third piece of cake at
her 100th birthday party when Gilroy Mayor Al Pinhiero
showed up to congratulate her on her long life and presented
her with a plaque from the City of Gilroy.
“You look so young,” Pinhiero said. “Well I feel young,”
Pawlak said, punching him on the arm and laughing.
Pawlak, dressed in all pastel pink, was poised and perky as she celebrated her centennial
birthday at Live Oak Adult Day Services on West Sixth Street, surrounded by friends and
family.
“My mother always told me growing up, you will thank me for this someday,” said Pawlak’s
daughter, Marge Pustorino, 74, during a sparkling cider toast. “Well, mom, I am thanking you
now.” The crowd of 35 laughed.
A handmade birthday banner, with letters drawn on construction paper by other members of
Live Oak, hung in the middle of the room. Some guests danced to the Big Band era music,
performed by volunteer Live Oak musician, Linda Pawlovich, of San Jose. Pawlak sat out
most of the dances, saving her energy to dance during her favorite song, “When Irish Eyes Are
Smiling.” The frosting on the double layer birthday cake was a soft pink – Pawlak’s favorite
color – and perfectly matched her outfit.
After she blew out her two birthday candles, she picked up a candle and licked the frosting off
it with a mischievous smile.
Pustorino, whom Pawlak lives with, described her mother as a classy yet lively, hardworking
lady with a lifelong love of learning.
Pawlak’s two granddaughters, who are sisters, giggled
when they swapped memories of their grandmother.
“Remember when we had sleepovers and tea?” said 51year-old Maura Quevedo of San Jose. “The Tea ,”
Quevedo said, was not just any kind of tea, but a proper,
high noon English Tea.” “As a little girl I hated the tea,
but I drank it anyway,” she said laughing.
“I can’t remember a time in my life when Grandma
wasn’t around,” said 48-year-old Marguerite Piper of
Sweet Home Oregon. “She taught me more than anyone
I know.” Quevedo said Pawlak traveled every chance
she got and took every history class there was to take at Gilroy Mayor Al Pinhiero presents
Anna with a plaque from the City.
San Jose City College.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GREG TAYLOR
CHAIR OF BOARD
*
TOM SRAMEK JR.
V.P. DEVELOPMENT
*
DENISE MORRIS
SECRETARY
*
RICHARD HAAS
TREASURER
*
PHYLLIS ARMENTA
RICHARD GREIF
KIM KENNEDY
JANET KRAEMER
KAY KVENVOLD
PAUL STEELE
WWW.
LIVEOAKADULTDAYCARE.ORG
YAHOO.COM
/GROUP/CAREGIVERSLIVEOAK
ADVISORY COUNCIL
JANET HILL
CHAIR OF COUNCIL
NANCY FRANKLIN
LETA FRIEDLANDER
BEVERLY HAUGHTON
ROBERT HERSCH, MD
DALE HILL
KAY KVENVOLD
IAN LAMDIN
MICHAEL MILLER
LIVE OAK SENIOR DAY CARE
WILLOW GLEN (S.J.) - LOS GATOS - GILROY - CUPERTINO
LIVE OAK SENIOR DAY CARE
WILLOW GLEN (S.J.) - LOS GATOS - GILROY - CUPERTINO
Dance Like You’re 100
Chair of the Board’s Report………
(cont.)
I am honored to have been asked to be on the
Board of Directors for Live Oak. I have been the
District General Manager for Bateman Senior
Taylor, Chair
Meals for Santa Clara County for seven years and Greg
Board of Directors
love the community I serve. This is why I decided
to join the Live Oak board when I was asked. I saw the strength of
Live Oak and how it makes the community stronger with the
services it provides.
I just want to thank everyone who works and volunteers at
Live Oak. It has been through your hard work and dedication that
Live Oak has become an important part of our community.
It has been a tough couple of years, with grants drying up
and foundations not giving as much as in the past. Thanks to all of
you who have buckled down and taken second looks at your budgets
to try and make cuts where needed. We can never rest on our
laurels, so we need to embrace change and strive to find better ways
to continue doing the important work we do on a daily basis.
As we all know, growing old is part of life and some seniors
will need additional support. However, I have noticed that many in
our community are unaware of what Live Oak does or how
important it is to have a service like Live Oak in the neighborhood.
This is why I am asking all of you (employees, volunteers, caregivers
and, especially, the Board of Directors) to get the word out about
Live Oak and the services we provide. Tell your neighbors and
friends, your family and your coworkers about us. It is so important
to let those people who are caregivers know that there is a place
where they can take their senior for a few hours so they can get
some laundry done, go to the grocery store or just have a little
break. The more we let people know about Live Oak Adult Day
Services, the more people will take notice and realize what a special
gem Live Oak is and how lucky they are to have us in their
backyard. Not only can we help those caregivers, but this will help
with donations too!
Again, I want to thank all employees, volunteers and program
managers for adjusting to these changes while continuing to take
care of our clients with compassion and love.
Born in Salem, Oregon, on April 1, 1012, the same day the Titanic set sail, Pawlak worked
at American Telephone & Telegraph when she finished high school in 1929. She later
returned to AT&T after her husband died when her twin daughters were 17, and worked there
until her retirement in 1967.
Annastasia Pawlak
A New Englander at heart, Pawlak moved to the Bay Area after retirement. She has lived in
100 years young
Gilroy for 10 years. She loves to tell stories of the horrible blizzards she lived through!
Pustorino said that when her mother was 80 years old, she went tobogganing down a mountain in Colorado.
She was thrilled to reminisce about this adventure. “I will still be doing that if they would let me,” Pawlak said,
smiling. Pustorino laughed, “That’s Mom,” she said, “She’s feisty as ever.”
Cheryl Huguenor, Program Director of our Gilroy center, says “Pawlak attends the center two times a week and
never misses a day. She loves to dance, especially to “When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” so much so that she
requests the same song over and over.” “It’s really fun when kids visit the program and are told that Pawlak is
100 years old- the awestruck looks on their faces are just priceless,” Huguenor adds.
“What we all find amazing is that she loves to add 3 spoonfuls of sugar to her coffee and wants salt on
everything at lunch (we use salt substitute but would not dare tell her that!), and she loves dessert – it gives heart
to those of us who hope that the secret to a long life is lots of sugar, a little salt and desserts,” Huguenor
chuckles.
Pawlak’s birthday celebration ended with Root Beer Floats for everyone!
Live Oak Donor Directory
Join us in our “Spirit of Giving.”
(cont.)
Meet The Live Oak Staff
Executive Staff:
Executive Director Colleen Hudgen
Executive Assistant Tiburcia N. Irving
Development Associate Arline Crawford
Town of Los Gatos
City of Los Altos
California Department of Education
(Nutrition Services Division)
Council On Aging Silicon Valley
County of Santa Clara
City of San Jose, CDBG
United Way Silicon Valley
Program Specialists:
Maria Bettencourt
Linda Brogna
Maria Chavez
Mila Dmitrenko
Kathleen Escalle
Frank Ferenkeh
Rosalind Griffith
Thank You,
For Your Support!
Ruth Guillen
Roxie Jones
Baby Kamara
Sharon Morgan
Jon Schneckloth
Patricia Scott
Larisa Spiridonova
Federal Nondiscrimination Statement
Greg Taylor
In accordance with Federal law and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). The USDA and the Nutrition Services Division (NSD) are equal opportunity providers and employers.
MARY JANE PATTIE
CHARLES “BUD” STUMP
LIVE OAK’S FEDERAL TAX ID NUMBER: 77-0069106
( PAGE 2 )
( PAGE 11 )
LIVE OAK SENIOR DAY CARE
WILLOW GLEN (S.J.) - LOS GATOS - GILROY - CUPERTINO
LIVE OAK SENIOR DAY CARE
WILLOW GLEN (S.J.) - LOS GATOS - GILROY - CUPERTINO
Live Oak Donor Directory
Join us in our “Spirit of Giving.”
Nancy W. Moore
Cynthia Moss
Sam & Magdalena Mulay
Donna M. Mulch
Beverly Myers
Inosi Naga
George Nale
Victor & Charlie Neimeyer
Pastor Lee Neish
Don J. Nesseth
Charles A. Nichols
Tonine & Richard Nielsen
Lynn J. Noble
Roberto Nuńez
Lucia Ochoa
James O’Connor
Kevin James O’Day
Thomas & Margo O'Neil
Gail Osmer
Mr. & Mrs.Frank Pattie
Andrew & Helen Pavicich
Anna Pawlak
Victoria Paz
Al Pinheiro
Art Pon
Charlene B. Powers
Bill & Anita Price
Mike & Charlotte Pristash
Christina Purnell
Purnell Family
Marguerite V. Pustorino
Angel Rampy
Marques Ransom
Jeanne K. Reed
Jim Reese
Timothy Reif
H. H. Reily Jr. MD
Harold Reily
Lori Reiner
Donald Rickard & Danuel Myers
J.A. & P.A. Randazzo
Phillip G. & Mary M. Ripp
Debra K. Roberts
Donald & Nadine Roberts
Nancy Rodger
Manuela Rodriguez
Lora Rodriguez
Nancy Romano
Sarah Ross
Melody Ross
Cecilia Root
Miriam Rowan
Dan Rubnitz
Maureen Ryan
Ashley Saulsbury
Richard & Rizalina Santoro
Virginia Ann Schmidek
Edward & Barbara Scott
W.A. & A.N. Scott
C.T. Seifert
Gradson & Susan Shelton
Judy Shenada
Ami & Sherri Shore
Bobbie Lee Shore
Peggy & Sara Sink
Beverly Myers & Sizzling Seniors
Frank & Diane Snow
Sherrie A. Sorensen
Shirley N. Sparks
Rev. Tom Sramek Jr.
Susan Stanley
Paul Steele
Stephen & Barbara Steele
Mr. & Mrs. C. H. Stump
David D. Sykes
Frank & Christine Szeto
Joyce Takaki
David Taylor
Greg Taylor
B. Teijeiro
Throgmorton Family
John Tinsley
Edwin & Carolyn Tognetti
Mere Tokailagi
Manny & Andrea Toloui
Roger & Shetley Traverso
Annine G. Untiedt
James & Angela Upchurch
Vidya Nidhi Vajshala
Lisa J. Van Halsema-Rathjens
Maria Vega
Mr. & Mrs. Vernon
Dorothy Vidlock
William & Beatrice Virga
Denise Vogel
Mr. & Mrs. Delbert Wallace
Chris Walton
Virginia Ann West
Marc Williams
Mary Jean Williams
Ric C. Williams
Robert & Susanne Wilson
Dan & Helen Woodard
Nedra Woods
Marie Yarem
Sharon Yee
Alta’s
Alza Corporation
The Altos Foundation, Inc.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Bateman Senior Meals
Better Home & Loan
Beulah Foundation
B. J. & J Sports Awards & Gifts
Commonwealth Central Credit Union
Community Church of East Palo Alto
Cupertino Rotary Endowment Foundation
Crossroads 90 Foundation
Darby Betts Foundation
Davidson Family Foundation
( PAGE 10 )
Episcopal Homes Foundation
Extreme Learning, Inc.
Gavilan College
Gilroy Foundation
Gilroy Senior Craft Store
Goldsmith Seeds, Inc.
Haughton Family Foundation
H. P. Company Foundation
Intel Volunteer Grant Program
Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos
Koeplin Family Foundation
Lockheed Martin Employees’ Foundation
Los Gatos Brewing Company
Los Gatos Lions Charities Inc.
Los Gatos Rotary Charities Foundation
Los Gatos Community “Foundation”
Los Gatos United Methodist Church
MEDNAX Services for Don Nesseth
Mission City Community Fund
Morning Rotary Charitable Trust
National Semiconductor Employees
Paramitas Foundation
Pavicich Companies
Pavicich Family
The American Legion Post No. 669
The Nelson Fund
Los Gatos Brewing Company
Los Gatos Community Foundation
Los Gatos Rotary Charities Foundation
Rotary Club of Cupertino
Rotary Club of Los Gatos - District 5170
Rotary Club of Santa Clara
Second Harvest Food Bank
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Silicon Valley Leadership
Sisters of The Holy Name
St. Edward’s Episcopal Church
St. Jude's Episcopal Church
St. Vincent De Paul Society
Star One Credit Union
Stone Church of Willow Glen
Sunnyvale Rotary Club
The History Club of Los Gatos
The New Orient Restaurant
Union Church of Cupertino
United Methodist Women
Beulah Fund
Vanguard Charitable Endowment
Vardy's Jewelers Inc.
Walmart Stores
William H. Cilker Family Foundation
Women In Touch Chapter II
City of Campbell
City of Cupertino
City of Gilroy
City of Milpitas
City of Morgan Hill
City of Santa Clara
City of Sunnyvale
(cont. pg.11)
Celebration of Life
What a wonderful life!! I attended two 100th Birthday celebrations a week apart
and am told that there are several more in the near future. Our cover story on Anna
and the wonderful poem written for Pearl by the boys in Juvenile Hall give you a
Colleen Hudgen
glimpse of how awesome it is to visit one of our centers and get to know our
Executive Director
clients up close and personal. May is Older American’s month, which celebrates
people 65 and older. Someone that age is rare among clients who attend LIVE OAK where the average
age of our clients is 80+. As the “Age Wave” continues to hit the nation, there will be many more
centenarian celebrations to come!
In 2008, there were an estimated 39 million people in the U.S. age, 65 or older, accounting
for 13% of the total population. By 2050, the 65+ population is projected to be 88.5 million, or 20% of
the total population. In Santa Clara County, according to the California Department of Finance
population projections, 12% of the total population was 65+ in 2010 and is expected to increase to 21% by
2050. With the 85+ population being the fastest growing, services like LIVE OAK can make a world of
difference in empowering family caregivers to keep their loved one at home. Check out some of the
caregiver comments on page 4.
Growing up as a kid in Havana, Florida, where backbreaking agricultural work was the order
of the day, I had an aunt who lived to be 112! Aunt Abbie lived at home cooking, cleaning and washing
on her rub board with water she drew from her well and heated outside in a cast iron pot! Whew! Aunt
Abbie’s motto was “the early bird gets the worm” and she proved it to be true because she was always up
at the crack of dawn and kept herself busy until sundown, gathering eggs, picking up pecans and tending
her garden. Whenever we would go to visit she would put us to work, then feed us a good home-cooked
meal, including mouth-watering pound cake! That was the best part! She would always laugh when we
asked “Why do your collard greens taste so good?” I was her favorite so I hung around her a lot and if I
had to I probably could live off the land too, but just thinking about it makes me tired! Aunt Abbie shared
her favorite recipes with me, taught me home remedies for earaches, toothaches and cuts & scrapes, etc.,
most of which I practiced on my five sisters and five brothers. I remember when she walked five miles to
our house and cured my baby brother of pneumonia by applying a “hot poultice to his chest, after she
heard that the doctors could not break his fever. He was up playing the next day!
When I was older and owned a car, Aunt Abbie and I would go far and wide visiting the sick
and shut-in. She always took home-cooked meals and a home remedy to fix whatever the person suffered
with. I was always amazed at how everyone seemed to instantly get better when she arrived! I know I
got a lot of my love for caring and comforting those in need because of time spent with Aunt Abbie.
yet, I never imagined that I would live to see and celebrate so many living testimonies of lives well lived
to the end! Oh, the stories and adventures that clients share with us are as thrilling as any suspense novel
or movie. “Bob” told of the time he almost had an airplane accident with President Regan on board. He
chuckles when he says “well not me because I was only the co-pilot.”
Our hearts go out to all of our clients and caregivers alike. Most of all, THANKS for sharing
your rich and wonderful lives with us!
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU CARE!
Colleen Hudgen
( PAGE 3 )
LIVE OAK SENIOR DAY CARE
WILLOW GLEN (S.J.) - LOS GATOS - GILROY - CUPERTINO
LIVE OAK SENIOR DAY CARE
WILLOW GLEN (S.J.) - LOS GATOS - GILROY - CUPERTINO
Live Oak Donor Directory
Join us in our “Spirit of Giving.”
Caregiver Comments
* “The day care program changed my life drastically. Before that I was completely tied down and had to have a
sitter when I went out.”
* “Caring for my father is less stressful… partly because I feel as though I have advocates (staff at Live Oak)
and support in finding ways to bring meaning to my father’s life.
He goes there happily, comes home happy and is content on his days at home.”
* Most valuable aspects of the day care program to the participant: “social interaction with other people; variety
of events/activities; something to look forward to get out of house.”
* “I am very glad the Live Oak service exist and that they are fairly priced. This has been a great help to my
mother.”
* “He loves current events and reminiscing, and music from his era (sing-a-longs). He feels like he’s a part of
the world – not isolated from it. This socialization gives his life meaning --- he has met some very nice people
at Live Oak.”
* “The center has prolonged my mother’s ability to live at home.”
* “Caring for my husband has changed since enrolling in the day care program because he is happier and easier
to care for.”
* “My mother loves the ladies that work there. The day care center gives her something to look forward to.
She is well taken care of, eats much better so it’s less of a concern for us.”
* “Thanks so much for all you are doing for us. I get so tired with all the caregiving especially as my mom has
Alzheimer’s and is with us at the week-end. I do all her appointments during the week as well. You are my
support. Thanks.”
* “The most valuable aspects of the day care program are stability, interaction and socialization, variety of activities, and the food served is very good.”
* “My mother seems to very much enjoy her time at the center. It also provides my father (the caregiver) with
a break! He has expressed his feelings that the center provides a safe, caring environment for my mother.”
* “Since my husband has been enrolled in the day care program, I am happy because he is happy.”
“The concept of an appropriate day program for this “senior population”
is brilliant! Live Oak cares for their needs while promoting their abilities
and dignity and normalcy! It also gives caregivers critical relief so they
can rejuvenate their mental and physical energies to be ready and able to
resume quality caregiving when their loved one returns home each day
from Live Oak. We couldn’t survive without it!”
( PAGE 4 )
Pam & Betty Adams
Frances A. Alfson
Donald Jr. & Sara Allen
Lucy & Richard Amico
Adona J. Amoroso
Joyce H. Andrews
Laurie Andrews
Linda Angulo
Rose Arbizi
Phyllis Armenta
Jesus & Excelsa Asis
Linda R. Bachorski
Warren & Lynne Bacon
Robert & Karen Bailey
Bob & Sue Baker
Erica Baker
Charlene Balanesi
Jennifer Barber
Fred Barrazza
Kenneth J. Bisordi
Nick & Susan Bogdanovich
Pat Bortle
Flo Bradford
Pamela Brands
Melonie Brophy
Bill & Lou Brown
Lydia Brown
Marilyn & John Buenz
Mr. & Mrs. Russ Burdick
Peter R. & Leona H. Burge
Betty Byrne
Richard & Diane Carini
Martha Carlisle
Janis Carney
Carolina Carrillo
Robert & Patricia L. Caspary
Sam Castellino
Diane J. Catello
Jean Cather
Jean Chandler
Maria Chavez
Margaret Chu M.D.
John & Lillian Cohen
Terri Cole
Stanley Commons
Ruth Connell
Curtis & Ruth Cook
Daniel & Kathy Cooley
Dawn B. McNeil-Cornelius
Deborah Cottingham
Fred Cuen
Linda Culman
Amanda Cuva
Keith M. Davis
Radford Davis
Nancy W. Dayton
Michael Demoney
Mary Ellen Dick
Bob Dillon
Len & Catherine Dixon
John Dods
Lawrence & Carole Dunn
Gloria Eagan
Diane Ekhoff
Heidi Evers M.D.
Joseph Evers M.D.
Katie Exum
Hillegus Faber
Roger Ferm
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Flavia
Eric Fonseca
Tonia P. Foster
George & Susanne Francis
L. Russell & Nancy Franklin
Robin Fredrickson
Veda Freedman
Fred & Leta Freidlander
Ernest & Dorothy Funk
Marilyn & John Garten
Carol Gates
Joseph D. & Marilyn Gerarge
Leanne Gibson
James & Marion Gifford
Wayne & Barbara Good
Gayle Gordon
Donna Gornitzke
Roger & Lillian Grant
John & Dolores Gravish
Mary Ann Graziano
Dick & Shirley Greif
Thomas & Molly Griffin
Robert & Cheryl Huguenor
George & Pamela Gutschall
Susan Guyon
Bill & Anita Hall
J. Kern Hamilton
Charles & Zoe Hannah
Gordon Haramaki
Frank & Christine Harkins
Richard Haas
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Haughton
Nahid Haynes
Dolly Helmer
John & Holly Henry
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Hersch
Rose Higashi
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hill
Howard & Jan Hill
Lynn Hoefert
Alice Quai Hoi
Pierce & Karen Holcomb
Allison Honjiyo-Souza
Colleen & Nate Hudgen
Good, Lillie & Hudson Family
Dawn A. Imada
Wallace & Linda Imura
Bennie & Tiburcia Irving
Marion Alice Jarrett
George & Robin Johnson
Haqib & Ana Jones
( PAGE 9 )
Walter & Cora Jones
Barbara Jordan
Dennis & Marilyn Kanemura
Alfred Keen
Mary Kelley
Patricia B. Kelly
Thomas M. Kemnitz
Kim Kennedy
Wendell Kerr
Patricia Khan
Mary G. King
Kelly Kinney & Family
Joan Kitzmiller
David & Kay Knapp
Linda Kowallis
Janet Kraemer
Dr. Musaravakkam S. Krishnan
Linda R. Kuromi
June Kuwada
Kay Kvenvold
May Lasagna-Schnapp
James & Carol Lathrop
Rosalie Leavitt
Mary Jo Levinger
Freddie E. Lewis
David & Kerry Lewis
David Lidsay & Patricia Kelner
Lillie Family
Norma Lindsey
Philip & Joyce Lively
Michael Loque
John J. Mac Rostie
Virginia Mahon
Eleanor & Jean Maloney
Myra Marquez
Helen W. Martin
Michelle Martin
Dino Masouris
Jacqueline L. Mattison
Shiley Maxwell & Family
William M. McCabe
Ron McCoy
Michelle McGurk
Daniel C. McKay
Tom McKay
Michael & Dolores McKeever
Tim & Susan McKinney
C. A. McMillan
Silvia Mercado
Lin Merelick
Allen K. Meza
Angie & Clad Miller
Evelyn J. Miller
Michael Miller
Don & Joyce Mirassou
Ray & Suzanne Mocherman
Sandy Moll
Leonard & Mary Monteleone
Denise Morris
Charlene Moore
LIVE OAK SENIOR DAY CARE
LIVE OAK SENIOR DAY CARE
WILLOW GLEN (S.J.) - LOS GATOS - GILROY - CUPERTINO
WILLOW GLEN (S.J.) - LOS GATOS - GILROY - CUPERTINO
Firming up the Foundation:
Governance and Growth at Live Oak
One Door Closes, A New Beginning!
Ana Jones
In July of 2011, I received word confirming the closing of the Downtown center. Fore- co-Program Director
Willow Glen Center
most in mind was the loss to clients who most needed the services of the Live Oak program. Personal calls and letters for the closure went out to all families, caregivers, and social workers as we
sought to refer a dozen displaced participants to other programs in San Jose. Once this was accomplished, the
sorting, packing, shredding of documents, and boxing of all necessary items took place over the next 2 months
with the help of dedicated staff members and numerous volunteers.
The move to Willow Glen marked the beginning of a new chapter for participants and staff. The feats of a few
of the world’s greatest athletes at the 2012 London Olympic games came to mind while writing this article.
There was U.S. Olympian, Jesse Williams near flawless high jump as he cleared the bar at 7’6” to qualify for
the team finals. Williams leap over the bar can be compared to the leap we all had to make as staff members,
Administration, the Executive Director - Colleen Hudgen, the Board of Directors, and the Advisory Counsel.
The near flawless transition could only succeed with the team of dedicated staff members who were open to
new ideas and who were willing to work together.
The merging of the two programs took a lot of effort on the part of both the participants and staff members.
Planning and facilitating activities for exercise, games, music, crafts, parties, and group discussions, and introducing new activities which worked for the most part, have allowed us to stretch beyond our comfort zone.
The notion of jumping as far as one possibly can is evident in the Kazakhstan Olympian, Olga Rypakova’s triple jump of 14.65 meters or 49.15 feet which earned her the gold medal. There were times when the staff took
the jump with me not only once, but at least 3 times, as we planned and hosted the Christmas breakfast, the 4th
of July BBQ, and the Hawaiian Luau with entertainment and luncheon for over 100 people.
The success of the Willow Glen program can only be credited to the amazing people who have worked side by
side and supported each other in the daily operations of the center. I would formally like to recognize the dedication and hard work of Marques Ransom, Program Director, Erica Baker, Assistant Program Director, and
staff members, Maria B., Maria C. and Ruth G., who have tried not to raise their brows in question when I introduced a new project, or outlined grandiose plans for an event. We could not have accomplished the feat of
combining the programs without the support of all our volunteers, including Cassie, Vimala, Bonnie, Betty
Lee, Art, and Rich, and all the wonderful instructors and entertainers who have stepped in to help lighten the
load. A big thank you to the administrative staff Colleen, Tiburcia, Arline, Debbie and Penny for all their help
and for keeping us grounded. With the joint team effort from the staff and volunteers, Live Oak will look forward to continue serving older adults in the community.
Ana Jones
Next year will mark the 30th year of Live Oak Adult Day Services. Having started in 1983 under the auspices of the First United Methodist Church of Los Gatos, we have come a long way
in that time! We are also in the midst of several transitions. On the Board of Directors, we have
TOM SRAMEK JR.
three members who have served for many, many years. Kay Kvenvold has served for 29 years,
V.P. DEVELOPMENT
Michael Miller for 18 years, and Kim Kennedy for 14 years. In contrast, none of the rest of the
members has served for more than 5 years! So, in many ways, we’re still learning about the hurdles ahead, as we go.
By the time you read this, we will have had our first board retreat in many years. One of the things we will be discussing is how to move from an organization dependent on the knowledge and (often extraordinary) effort of individual people to keep things functioning well to an organization in which the financial and administrative systems in
place form a solid foundation on which to build. In other words, we’re moving from seeing ourselves as a handful of
“mom and pop shops” to a cohesive organization dedicated to supporting seniors and caregivers for decades to come.
Given that we oversee a more than one million dollar budget, that makes a lot of sense! We are also constantly in
need of new board members, so if you are interested or know of someone who might be interested, please let Colleen
know.
At our June board meeting, we learned that the decision we made to close the downtown San Jose center and the increased emphasis on increasing the fees we collect from our clients have resulted in Live Oak emerging from the
2011-2012 fiscal year in sound financial shape and prepared to move confidently into the future. This is due, in large
part, to our clients paying their participation fees more quickly than in the past, our Program Directors continuing to
look for ways to save money, and a successful transition for many of our clients from the downtown center to the
Willow Glen center. Well done, everyone!
Elsewhere in this newsletter, you will find the notice of our annual fall fundraiser. You are encouraged to come and
to bring many friends to this event! Also, if you have a business or know someone who does, we would love to have
donations of merchandise, gift cards, trips, or other items for our live auction and/or silent auction. Feel free to drop
such items off at our Willow Glen location or see your local center’s Program Director to get items to us. The deadline for donations is October 1.
Finally, I wanted to remind you of the two ways we currently have for you to financially support Live Oak. The first
is by contributing to our Annual Fund, donating money directly for our operations. Any amount is welcome, but a
donation of at least $100 would be especially welcome. You are also welcome and encouraged to donate to the
“Sponsor-a-Senior” campaign. It costs $67 per person, per day, to provide services for our clients. That means that
fully “sponsoring a senior” for a month at 5 days a week would be $335 a week or $1,340 a month. If you are interested in participating in this program, please note that on your check. We expect to have our “Live Oak Legacy Endowment Fund” established by the end of this calendar year, so instructions about how to remember us in your will
shall be forthcoming.
As always, thank you for your support of Live Oak. We are doing well and are moving forward into the future with
confidence.
Tom Sramek Jr.
( PAGE 8 )
( PAGE 5 )
Grandma
Pearl
We Love You!
Pearl sits on a model T Ford.
You are cordially invited to
Gloria Spanier shows Pearl an Olympic torch.
Although Pearl was born in 1912 on her grandparents’ chicken ranch in Indiana, she grew up
in Chicago. When she married, she and her husband, Ben, opened a shoe repair business there. She has two
children, a son born in Chicago and a daughter born later in Nashville, TN. Then, came five grandchildren
and thirteen great grandchildren!
They moved to Tennessee for a short time where Pearl was introduced to a very different world
in the south. Upon her arrival there, she accidentally entered a bathroom that was reserved for colored people and was threatened by the owner for being there. She was never comfortable in the south and they returned to Chicago after a few years.
Later, they moved to southern California because they were tired of “the cold and shoveling
snow.” They ran a successful shoe repair business there, also, until Pearl’s husband passed away. Following
his death, Pearl moved to the Bay Area to be closer to her two children. She joined three travel clubs and
visited many countries around the world, including Israel and Egypt.
More important, though, Pearl became “Grandma” to the boys in Juvenile Hall for over 21
years. A poem appeared in the Catholic Charities News in 1994 written by the boys to say thank-you to their
Grandma Pearl.
Meanwhile at our Cupertino center, Pearl is also celebrating her 100th birthday.
Perhaps this poem written to Pearl by boys in Juvenile Hall, where she was “G’ma” for 20 years,
best describes her:
Grandma Pearl, We love you
We the kids of B-1
Rarely have nothing to do
But when we feel the need
And the counselors take heed
We get to play with G’ma Pearl.
She’s a card shark we know.
We can see it in her eyes.
Not one game does she blow.
Greatness has nothing to do with size.
G’ma throws a game every once in a while
Just to make us feel good.
But she gives it away with a smile.
If we could win just one game, we would.
She’s not really our Grandma
(Let the truth prevail)
Maybe if she was, we wouldn’t be in jail
Thanks again, Grandma. We love you!
Live Oak
Adult Day Services’
annual Autumn fundraiser:
on
Saturday, October 6, 2012
5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Join us for
delicious food, raffles,
live & silent auctions.
Cost: $75.00 ea.
Come dressed in semi-formal wear
or as your favorite star!
Cinco De Mayo celebration at Willow Glen Center
A little dancing in the afternoon
Festivities will be held at :
St. Edward’s Episcopal Church
15040 Union Ave. at (Hwy 85)
San Jose, CA 95124.
On April 11th, Pearl celebrated 100 years
She continues to have a wonderful sense of humor and brings joy to all those who know her.
Pearl attends Live Oak two days a week, rain or shine.
( PAGE 6 )
RSVP to Tiburcia at
(408) 971-9363
Garlic Festival Queen and her court
visit the Gilroy Center.
( PAGE 7 )