LW never left the Golden Age
50TH ANNIVERSARY
Thousands have benefited from 50 years of philanthropy
by Cheryl Falconer
GAF board member
The spirit of Leisure World is defined by the Golden Age Foundation (GAF), the largest, oldest, volunteer-driven philanthropic nonprofit in the community. For 50 years, the GAF’s mission has been to empower people to live purposeful, healthy, quality lives in their own homes and community as they age. Its volunteers devote their time and talent to make life better on every level for residents.
The GAF is entirely funded by donations that are used to support safe, active, independent living for the entire community.
GAF Directors
There are 12 residents on the Golden Age Foundation Board of Directors who serve as trustees for all the projects funded by the GAF: Anna Derby, GAF president; Carl Kennedy, GAF vice president and Hospitality program chair; Heeja Alameida, director of Finance; Beth Greely, IT chair; Brenda Thompson, Mobility Aids program chair; Diana Lambert, Income Tax Program chair; Fara Macartney, recording secretary; Geneva Potepan, correspondence secretary; Martha Goossens history chair; Shery Wells, archives chair; Paula Snowden, membership chair; and Cheryl Falconer, 50th Anniversary Committee.
Golden Age Foundation members present the new Access bus to the GRF in 2014. The Access bus is available on call to LW residents with mobility issues.
GAF Vice President Carl Kennedy presents flowers and a hot meal to centenarian Bob Lynch in 2022. GAF HISTORY
GAF’s First Focus
In the early years, the primary focus of the GAF was to improve the health and well-being of Leisure World residents. It sponsored flu vaccine clinics, diabetic clinics and a smoking cessation clinic. To facilitate routine blood pressure screening for LW residents, the GAF purchased automated blood pressure machines for the onsite health center.
The early board also provided funds to purchase a projector for lectures and presentations in the health center. One of the most attended lectures was the emphysema clinic, with over 300 shareholders in attendance.
The GAF sponsored colon cancer screening awareness and hemoccult colorectal projects, breast cancer self exam lectures, nutrition classes and CPR training classes. In 1977, the Mobility Aids Program was launched with a $1,200 grant from the GAF. The Emergency Meals Program began with monthly donations from the GAF. Also in 1977, GAF volunteers provided the first Property Tax Rebate Program.
GAF in the 1980s
During the 1980s, the GAF started the on-site Lifeline Program and provided funds to the early LW Disaster Preparedness Program for the purchase of emergency equipment and radio transceivers.
The GAF Income Tax Preparation Program began with hundreds of shareholders served each year.
In 1987, the first LW resident donated his unit to the GAF, which sold for $41,000.
GAF in the 1990s
The 1990s marked a new era for the GAF with capital investments throughout the community. GAF grants were used to purchase a 50-inch TV and VCR for Clubhouse 3, and a projector, computer and an interface device to connect the computer to the big screen in Clubhouse 4.
Another $14,000 was donated to upgrade the sound systems in Clubhouses 1 and 2. The GAF made several donations for upgrades to the Amphitheater, including a donation of $31,000 to purchase a new sound system, and a grant to the Leisure World Library for new equipment.
In 1999, the GAF purchased a handicap accessible bus for $49,000 and began underwriting the Rossmoor Bus Service with a donation of $18,000 per year.
Other donations included camera and battery pack equipment for the Video Producers Club, startup money for the LW Historical Society, the purchase of sheet music and instruments for the LW Orchestra, and bus benches throughout the community at an initial cost of $91,000 for 14 locations.
More than 125 GAF-funded bus benches and shelters have been placed throughout LW. Funding for health-related events and education continued throughout the 1990s. One of the final GAF projects of the decade was the 55 Alive Mature Driver Improvement Program.
GAF in the 2000s
The first GAF Hospitality Center opened in 2000 to provide coffee, treats and a place for shareholders to socialize. In 2003, the Hospitality Center moved to its current location in Clubhouse 6. GAF spent $20,000 to purchase furniture and equipment for the facility, which has been a popular social hub for residents for the past 20 years. The center is open Monday-Friday from 9-11 a.m.
Throughout the 2000s, the GAF funded and lent volunteer support to the annual flu vaccine clinic at a cost of $10,000 per year and paid for the Rossmoor Bus program to transport shareholders to the shopping center.
Throughout the decade, the GAF contributed to worthwhile projects, including $23,000 for equipment for the gymnasium; $14,500 for additional equipment for the Mobility Aide Program; $5,000 to purchase risers and acoustical shells for the LW Chorale; $8,000 to upgrade the sound system in Clubhouse 2; $5,000 toward the expansion of the LW Library; $10,000 toward a respite care program located at Redeemer Lutheran Church and $2,500 a year for a battery recycling and fluorescent light bulb program.
More Donations to Benefit LW There were many large and small projects funded by the GAF during the mid-2000s. In 2012, the estate of Jack Schiffiler made possible a $120,000 donation for new exercise equipment in the large new exercise room. His bequest also funded a handicap accessible bus at a cost of $130,000.
Among other services, GAF sponsored a quarterly shredding service; donated $15,000 to the GRF for the installation of Serenity Park behind Mission Park in 2018; and purchased a third handicap accessible bus scheduled to be delivered this summer.
GAF’s Pandemic Response
As the pandemic began, the GAF Board mobilized a COVID-19 crisis response that included volunteers making cotton face masks and distributing them to residents and GRF employees and distributed 45,000 disposable face masks. Volunteers worked the Optum/GRF COVID-19 vaccine program and flu vaccine clinics at the Health Care Center that drew 5,000 residents.
The GAF made a $120,000 donation to Meals on Wheels Long Beach and Meals on Wheels Orange County to make sure no LW resident went hungry due to isolation or lack of resources. Despite the pandemic, GAF volunteers continued to serve the community with mobility aids delivered to residents’ homes, curbside drop-off shredding services and remote income tax preparation service. From 2020-2022, a hearing loop was donated to the Knowledge and Learning Center at a cost of $13,500; the Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Program was given a grant for a backpack giveaway program; a social services collaboration team was developed and located in Building 5 to bring services into LW.
Betterment of LW Life Continues GAF-funded programs and projects have enriched all aspects of the community. The GAF has given more than $1.4 million in contributions for the betterment of LW life. Tens of thousands of volunteers have given their time and talents over the past 50 years working to ensure Leisure World residents have what they need to age well at home.
Donations Welcome
Charitable contributions make a difference, whether it’s money, time or talent. Monetary donations to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may be eligible for a deduction of up to 60% of adjusted gross income. Assets such as long term stocks or property are generally deductible at fair market value up to 30% of adjusted gross income. Ways to give include making a one-time donation, designating a future gift via a will or trust, as a beneficiary designation or making a donation of stocks, real estate or life insurance. For detailed information, go to the IRS.gov website. The Golden Age Foundation tax ID number is 23-7273105, and donations can be made directly to the GAF via P.O. Box 2369, Seal Beach, CA 90740.
For more information, visit www.goldenagefdn.org.
—compiled from information provided by Linda Johnson, emeritus GAF board member and Leisure World historian, and written by Cheryl Falconer, GAF board member. Credit goes to GAF Board member and IT chair Beth Greeley for digitizing and chronicling 50 years of GAF programs and projects.
It takes more than a dozen GAF volunteers to facilitate the quarterly battery disposal program for LW residents.
GAF volunteers staff the Hospitality Center in Clubhouse 6, which draws residents for coffee and conversation five mornings a week.
Volunteers stitched thousands of masks to distribute to LW residents during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
