Our Volunteers:

Volunteers created The Redwoods over 30 years ago and the spirit of Volunteersism remains at the heart of its service commitment.

As a retirement community with four levels of service, The Redwoods is committed to providing affordable housing, health care, and services of the highest quality for older people. It also maintains a strong profile in the community and depends upon Volunteers for their creative stimulus, knowledge, and assistance.

Philosophy of Volunteer Involvement

The Redwood Volunteers Program is committed to enhancing the quality of life for our residents and providing auxiliary services that assist and complement the efforts of our staff. By providing meaningful Volunteers opportunities, the program nurtures our vital link with the community and stimulates pride though participation in The Redwoods mission. Volunteers are thanked at several events throughout the year.

1. Garden
   Residents work with our Master Gardener to grow healthy, organic vegetables and beautiful flowers. The planting beds are raised and easily accessible to everyone.
2. Drumming Circle
   Many residents at The Redwoods have discovered the physical, psychological and spiritual rewards of drumming.
   
3. Writers Class
   Residents write brief essays and stories and present them to the group for feed-back
   
4. Exercise Classes
   The Redwoods offers classes that range from weight training, stretching and improving your balance classes to Tai Chi, Yoga, and Dancing.
   
5. Computer Lab
   Volunteers from the community keep the residents up to date with software, instructions, and training.
   
6. Legacy Group
   There are many ways to tell a life story. The Legacy group provides an opportunity to share and write a very personal account of one’s life adventures.
   
7. Native Plant Society
   The California Native Plant Society presents slides on various topics related to California plants.
   
8. Reach Out Group
   A group of residents made up of formal social workers and nurses organize regular visits with residents in Healthcare to assist with special requests and to keep them part of the community.
   
9. Memory Program
   Several programs are geared to keep the residents’ memory in shape by offering playful and fun exercises and reminiscing.
   
10. Arts Classes
    Artists at The Redwoods continue to practice their art in our dynamic art classes led by experienced professional artists.

Volunteers' Auxiliary

Formed in 1974, the Volunteers' Auxiliary includes more than a hundred volunteers from the community and two hundred resident volunteers who give well over 12,000 hours every year in many ways such as:

• Staffing the “Country Store” which provides a convenient place for residents to shop for miscellaneous goods
• At the monthly birthday parties, volunteers arrange the decorations, bring entertainment and serve the monthly birthday guests.
• Pouring coffee at meals is a big opportunity to get to know the residents. Morning and lunch hours are available. Severs for special parties and ice cream socials are welcome!
• One-On-One contact with residents who are homebound is one of the most satisfying experiences. There are many opportunities to make a huge difference in a resident’s life by taking a stroll to the creek together, reading and answering correspondence, doing beauty makeovers, and assisting with eating and conversation.
• Bingo Callers, Garden Assistants, Walking Buddies, Dance Partners, Shopping Companions, ESL Tutors etc. For more information about volunteering at The Redwoods, please call Kerry Parker at 415-383-2741.
• Volunteers for The Shop help to receive, price, display and sell Antiques and Collectibles at the Shop which supports the activities programs for the residents. Call The Shop at 415-383-1600 x 256.
• Health Care Center Volunteers help with reading, arts and crafts projects, pouring coffee hour, visiting one-to-one, writing letters, and other activities that enhance the quality of life for residents. Call the HCC Activity Coordinator Margaret Wallace at 415-383-2741.
• Robert Scott Garden Volunteers help with planning, planting, harvesting and supporting the year round indoor and outdoor organic vegetable and flower gardening activities. Call the Garden Coordinator Paula Broughton at 415-383-2741.
  

The Friends of The Redwoods

The Friends of The Redwoods, with over 200 members, is dedicated to raising funds for "quality of life" at The Redwoods. The Friends is governed by a separate board of directors, with an equal number of residents and community volunteers. Each spring members are invited to a dinner to recognize those who have worked during the year and install new officers and directors.

The Friends also have one major fundraiser in the early fall. Town Faire, the 2003 event, was held at the Mill Valley Community Center. Residents were shuttled to lunch and enjoyed music, dancing, prizes, and a silent auction. Supporters of Friends gave generously—either by buying raffle tickets, attendance tickets or by bidding at the auction. With this "first annual" Town Faire, the Friends will provide helpful shuttle services and transportation to special outings.

In recent years, The Friends have provided new furniture, a movie projector and sound system for the auditorium, focused lighting in the library and dining room, audio cassettes, reading machines, indoor and outdoor garden additions, cruises on the Bay, field trips, teas, and other entertainment. Beautification projects, such as renovating the activity room in the Health Care wing, have been paid for by Friends.

Begun in 1981, one of the Friends' first projects was to establish an Endowment Fund to help residents with financial emergencies which is administered by The Redwoods staff.

Membership in The Friends of the Redwoods includes the installation dinner each spring. Suggested membership donations, tax deductible, start at $50 for Residents; $75 Basic; $125 Patron; $175 Contributing and $350 Benefactor. For membership information, see The Friends' information area near the reception desk, call Mary Jo Barnett,415-380-4333

Volunteer Opportunities in the Community

For residents who prefer to volunteer in the community, there are many opportunities. The following is a representative sampling. Contact Marin County’s Volunteers Center (415-479-5710) for more choices.