VNA recognized with award for quality care

Claremont’s Visiting Nurses Association Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern California (VNA) has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with the commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in home care. The award recognizes the VNA’s dedication to continuous compliance with state-of-the-art standards.

A team of expert surveyors evaluated the VNA for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

“VNA Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern California has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients,” said Margherita Labson, R.N., executive director of the Joint Commission’s Home Care Accreditation. “Accreditation is a voluntary process and I commend the VNA for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards setting and accrediting body in health care.

Kiwanis and Shoes That Fit team to help local students

The Claremont Kiwanis Club has just completed its annual backpack giveaway for students attending Claremont schools.

Working with their longtime partner Shoes That Fit, Kiwanis provided over 300 backpacks to needy students. Community volunteers drew the name of a student ,then filled the backpack with new shoes and socks, and other school supplies such as colored pencils, erasers, crayons and filler paper.

Funds for the program were partially provided through proceeds from the snack bar at Monday Concerts in the Park and from pancake breakfasts.

Claremont Democrats host food drive with Chris Holden

Josie Garcia and Aelian Gunawardena of the Claremont Democratic Club will host a food drive in honor of 41st Assembly District candidate Chris Holden on Wednesday, August 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in South Pasadena.

Non-perishable food items will be accepted, but all are welcome regardless of contribution. Food gathered at the charity drive will be donated to the Union Station Homeless Services.

In addition to the food drive, guests will be treated to an afternoon lunch with Congressman Adam Schiff of the 29th Congressional District, and Assembly candidate Chris Holden, representing the Democratic ticket.

The event will take place at 1499 Huntington Dr., South Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 926-0371.

Open mic for poetic souls

Poets and writers are invited to beat the summer heat this Sunday, August 19 at a poetry open mic event at the Claremont Manor.

Attendees may read their own poetry, share a favorite from Shakespeare to Stein, or just come and listen.

The reading takes place at Claremont Manor Hall, 650 W. Harrison Ave. from 3 to 5 p.m. Parking is available. RSVP to helengraziano@rocketmail.com

Volunteer at California’s native garden—Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

The privately-funded, nonprofit Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is searching for volunteers to help with gardening, leading tours and serving as information assistants. RSABG will offer orientation courses for new volunteers beginning in September.

Two 2-day volunteer orientation sessions, “RSABG 101,” will be offered on Fridays, September 21 and October 5 from 9 a.m. to noon or Saturdays, September 29 and October 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. Enrollment in the course requires an interview with the volunteer manager.

RSABG has volunteer opportunities for people with various interests and abilities. Volunteers work inside or outdoors, help maintain the Garden’s grounds, help staff during special events, lead tours for the public and assist development and communication staff in reaching out to the public.

There are many benefits that accompany volunteering with RSABG, including opportunities to learn, field trips, social luncheons, discounts, meeting people with similar interests and spending time in a beautiful and peaceful environment.

For information and to download an application, visit www.rsabg.org/volunteer-home, or contact Tiffany Chandler, RSABG manager of volunteer programs, at 625-8767, ext. 256 or tchandler@rsabg.org.

CCF donors make impact to community programs

The Claremont Community Foundation (CCF) granted a total of $17,400 to social sector organizations in its 2012 grant cycle. Grant awards were made possible with donor contributions and a variety of successful fundraising activities throughout the year.

Serving as a member of the CCF Grants Committee, Marsha Fox, president and CEO of VNA Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern California, identified a funding request from Pilgrim Place for its Harps for the Spirit Outreach program.

An award to the Monte Vista Adult Development Center enabled the center to purchase a new Hover Power Lift. Claremont Meals on Wheels continues to subsidize needy individuals with mid-day meals with funds their program received through a CCF grant award. Twelve women from Crossroads, Inc. collaborated with 20 Claremont College students to plan, prepare and cook weekly vegetarian meals through a CCF grant.

Grant funding to Foothill Family Shelter enabled the shelter to conduct maintenance and repairs to apartments for 20 adults and 25 children in the Stepping Stones program. The shelter also assisted 5772 low-income individuals with one bag of food per month—enough food to feed a family of 4 for one week.

Other organizations received financial support for special initiatives and programs including: City of Claremont Human Services Phestival of the Arts & Multicultural Program; Claremont After-School Parent Involvement program; Claremont Museum of Art  Mid-Century Modern Art & Design exhibitions; First Street Gallery, Volunteerism and Career Development in the Arts; Inland Valley Repertory Theater, free student tickets to Arthur Miller’s play All My Sons; Shoes That Fit, backpacks for back-to-school; and the Claremont Symphony Orchestra Mobile Instrument Display for Community Outreach.

Ann Joslin, grants committee chair, stated, “The CCF Board of Directors is grateful for our donors’ support and trust, and we are privileged to share a partnership in fulfilling their financial and charitable goals through effective philanthropy and civic engagement.”

For more information on CCF, its programs or how to donate, visit www.claremontfoundation.org or call 398-1060. CCF is located at 205 Yale Ave., Claremont.