If you’ve lost your faith in humanity, this story about a group of Carlsbad seniors is bound to restore it. Meet the Helping Hands group whose moto is, “neighbors helping neighbors.”
The seniors have spent the last six years restoring and donating – completely free of charge – more than 2,200 walkers, scooters, canes and other medical assistance devices to their neighbors at La Costa Glen senior living community.
The 501(c)3 was created by a group La Costa Glen residents, including Vic Matricardi, who is the chairman of the group. The items are donated to the nonprofit organization by families, La Costa Glen residents, and people living around Carlsbad. The donations are assessed, repaired, cleaned, and delivered from the Helping Hands storage garages straight to residents’ doorsteps by their neighbors volunteering with the organization.
Vic says whenever someone at the community needs an item, they just call the Helping Hands hotline. Richard (Richie) Clyne, 91, is one of the volunteers who answers the hotline calls. He says on average one item is given away each day to a a neighbor in need.
“This is what neighbors are for,” he said. “This is our way to help each other out.”
The group says it’s been a wonderful way to volunteer but also to forge new friendships, which is important as we age. Making friends has many health benefits for seniors – including physical health – and has been found to lower seniors’ risk of long-term health problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
This year, the team expanded their resources to a third garage inside the community, giving them even more opportunities to help their neighbors.
There’s always work to be done inside the Helping Hands garages at La Costa Glen. Would you like a firsthand look and an opportunity to speak with some of the residents who are making this meaningful effort possible? If so, contact me, Chelsea Wilson, at 316-680-1501 or chelsea@sageage.com.
