Assistance League of Diablo Valley's TeleCare Program Hosts Holiday Party

Since 1971, member volunteers of TeleCare, a philanthropic program of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, have been making daily reassurance calls to homebound seniors. As the chapter’s longest standing philanthropic program, TeleCare empowers seniors to live independently and remain in their homes. What ensures this is a daily journal kept for each client that member volunteers consult prior to the daily phone calls.

As in previous years, Christmas came early for TeleCare clients when, on December 4, they enjoyed the annual Holiday Party at the festively decorated chapter house. TeleCare Chairman Lorraine Ward-Theroux launched the well-attended event with a round of introductions. Ironically, TeleCare clients seldom meet with the caller volunteers or with fellow clients face-to-face, so the exercise carried great impact. When client George introduced himself, he said, “Thank you, TeleCare callers; you light up my day!” A short time thereafter, one TeleCare caller responded with, “…I call [some of] you on the fourth Tuesday of each month. I look forward to these calls as much as you do, and I love you all!”

Lively conversations punctuated the sumptuous luncheon that followed. A “standing room only” performance by Show on the Road, another philanthropic program that interestingly emerged from TeleCare, enhanced the event. Its revelers shared their love of the performing arts by presenting the fractured Cinderella-themed fairytale, “The Prince and the Pie.”

As for presents, the greatest gifts for TeleCare clients came in the form of “Caring and Commitment in Action,” followed closely by dignity, self-determination, and time. For nearly 44 years, dedicated TeleCare member volunteers have renewed these gifts on a daily basis.

To learn more about TeleCare and Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s other philanthropic programs that its thrift shop funds and the recently awarded GuideStar Exchange gold participation level status, please visit this website: diablovalley.assistanceleague.org or the GuideStar Exchange.