She especially enjoyed the beautiful scenery and her view of the courtyard, as well as the proximity to Stan, who lived nearby in Santa Rosa.

Stan is grateful to the staff of Spring Lake Village and the Front Porch organization for the support his mother received while she was a member of the community.

“I appreciated the friendliness and continuity of the team members at Spring Lake Village, a sign of a very well-run organization,” Stan said. “The people who cared for my mother were committed, caring and engaged. I also loved that it was a nonprofit organization that clearly prioritized the needs of the community.”

Dixie lived at Spring Lake Village for eight years, moving into Assisted Living shortly before her death in 2022.

During her time at Spring Lake Village, she always shared the community news with Stan, including copies of the Front Porch Communities Foundation newsletter, Community Matters.

“I enjoyed reading about what was happening in the larger organization, and when I read about the Circle of Friends resident assistance fund, I just thought it was a really great idea and a wonderful cause,” Stan said. “I thought about my own mother and how much stress she would have been under, without me as her back stop, with having to pay bills and worry about running out of resources.

When she passed away, making a gift to the Circle of Friends was a way to honor my mother, but also a way to pay back some of our good fortune by helping others who might not have the support my mother did.”

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Social events at Hotel Casa ran the gamut from weddings to banquets to civic and social club luncheons to concerts and poetry readings by noted artists and musicians of the day. In 1953, Hopkins sold the hotel, and soon after Casa de Mañana had a second grand opening as the luxurious retirement community it is today. Many of today’s residents remember attending proms and other social events at the hotel. How about that for living history?

Residents and staff say they feel a real sense of community at Casa de Mañana. It is truly a place where residents and staff care for one another in an environment of independence and mutual respect. “My wife and I have fallen in love with Casa de Mañana,” said one long-time resident. “I’ve never seen a staff more dedicated to making people happy. They really go out of their way to make sure all of our needs are met.”

Philanthropy Week held recently at Casa exemplifies the spirit of giving and connection between residents and staff and galvanizes those connections. “We come together to celebrate philanthropy, but also put it into action through gifts in the moment,” said Keith Church, the Foundation’s philanthropy officer for Casa. Activities during Philanthropy Week are entirely resident-driven and offer something for everyone, from a kick-off concert by resident pianist Leslie Miller to special events like Game Day and Dessert Under the Stars. Resident T.J. Glauthier organized a wine tasting class, and resident Bev Heil coordinated a dog fashion show.

While Philanthropy Week is fun, it inspires significant giving, which is at the heart of its importance to residents. Funds raised from the week support the Circle of Friends resident assistance fund, the Casa Employee Scholarship Funds, and the HEART Fund (emergency financial assistance for staff), according to donor preference. Casa resident Helen Tocco serves on the scholarship committee and made a gift for the first time this year. “I’m really inspired by the philosophy of the scholarship committee, ‘offering a hand up, not a hand out,’” Helen said. “My husband and I were moved to make a gift because we are both educators and believe in giving to those who are trying to better themselves.”

Rich in tradition, Casa de Mañana is a place where older adults enjoy an independent and comfortable way of life, complete with ocean vistas. Casa de Mañana is a treat for the eyes and also a place with a deep spirit of compassion and caring.

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Those being helped by the Circle of Friends fund have an average age of over 90 years, with 40% living with a higher level of care. They have been part of their communities on average for more than 16 years.

“The Circle of Friends is so close to the hearts of our residents,” said Covia Foundation Executive Director Katharine Miller. “We are so grateful for the support of this fund that provides assistance for those in our Life Plan Communities who outlive their resources.”

Covia Foundation rounded out the day’s celebration with a prize drawing. Prizes included personalized dinners from the Executive Chefs, themed gift baskets, and a Google Nest Max Hub, a video smart speaker.

The event immediately showed the effect of its success, with our prize winners reaching out with excitement and gratitude, and many residents making donations online or reaching out to the Foundation with questions about planned gifts and estate gifts. Said one supporter: “This is a great cause for us to get behind because this could happen to any of us.”

*This article was originally posted in the Fall 2020 edition of Community Matters

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