Shredding volunteers finish the job after setback

By Anna Derby

GAF President

When the Golden Age Foundation (GAF) held its quarterly shredding event on March 4, it was anything but ordinary. The shredding service began normally, but had to stop about hour into the program due to a fire in the shredding truck. The fire quickly spread a thick smoke and strong odor. Recreation sent an LW Live announcement shortly after the fire, cancelling the event and preventing more traffic in that area.

Disaster was averted thanks to the quick response of GAF volunteers, who quickly responded by directing traffic away from the fire. A GRF maintenance crew also helped clean up a mountain of debris from the shredded documents that had to be removed from the truck and dumped onto the parking lot by firefighters.

Raul Gamez, truck driver from the shredding company, clubhouse custodian Valente Gonzalez; Security; and GAF volunteers remained at the site until 1 p.m. to make sure the parking lot was clear of debris and that all of the shredded documents were put back in the truck with the help of a forklift. GAF thanks maintenance workers Jaime Morales and Steve Staley, who carried out the process.

GAF was able to reschedule the shredding service to March 11, to serve those who were unable to attend the event before the fire.

Fortunately, the second event was held on a beautiful sunny day and was without any issues. There was a steady flow of shareholders with documents to shred. Truck driver Alex Guiterrez was very pleasant and a big help throughout the event.

GAF would like to thank its board members, Carl Kennedy, John Hlavac, Geneva Potepan and Linda Johnson as well as volunteer Ren Villanueva for their help in making this event so successful.

The GAF would like to thank volunteers Supara Ratanasadudi, Paul Pridanonda and Linda Johnson who helped unload bags and boxes of documents from shareholders’ vehicles to make sure the event remained COVID-19 safe.

The GAF extends its gratitude to those who generously donated as they exited the event.

Between two separate events, GAF served a total of 450 shareholders.

The GAF is grateful to the Leisure World community for its continued support of events. The next shredding event will be held in July. The date will be announced in LW Weekly.

For more information, go to GoldenAgeFdn.org.