Ten years ago, the Golden Age Foundation (GAF) opened a hospitality center to give residents a place to congregate for a complimentary cup of coffee and cookies. In 2000, Julie Holbrook and the late Fran Barisoff began interviewing volunteers for the new hospitality room, which opened in the lobby of Clubhouse 3 on lobby June 19.
It was open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays and served an average of 35 a day.
Six of the original volunteers still are on the job today. Kudos go to Joe Capra, Helen Chon, Lita Lewis, Margaret Putnam, Mary Rosen, Joan Shramek and Elsie Terborg. Back in the day, coffee pots had to be filled in a sink in the custodian's room, and cookies were stored down the hall in a storage locker. The rule was no eating on the upholstered furniture in the lobby, only at the tables.
The hospitality center has come a long way. There are 39 volunteers who work at the center five days a week, including holidays.
The accommodations in Clubhouse 6 include a kitchen with a freezer and other amenities, so donated pastries can be frozen for later use.
The center's complimentary refreshments would not be possible without the generosity of the following donors: Starbucks, Great Dane Bakery, Peet's Coffee and Tea, Paneros Bakery, Sprouts and Vons. The GAF provides the all-volunteer staff to operate the center, and the coffee, tea, cups, napkins, cookies, diabetic selections and condiments.
Stop by, grab a cup of coffee and celebrate 10 years of great service to LW residents.
The Hospitality Center is seeking volunteers - men and women - to work on a substitute basis from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
If you can help, call Linda Johnson, (562) 493-9898, and leave a message.
The GAF is a nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to serving the special needs of Leisure World residents.
It provides a variety of services including Lifeline, tax assistance and a wheelchair bus.