On the day of a home visit, mother-daughter duo Maggie and Ellie Keenan have brainstormed topics that Ada Cooper, 83, will find interesting to talk about. The topic for this particular visit was the Korean War. “Her husband served in the military, so she may have a lot of input on the recent events happening right now,” said Maggie, a kindergarten teacher at Barbara Comstock Morse Elementary. Maggie and Ellie Keenan are volunteers for one of the newest programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS), the Senior program. This program matches volunteer families and socially isolated seniors with the assistance of Eskaton’s Talking Listening Caring Telephone Reassurance Program (

During the current “season of giving,” many well-known volunteering opportunities – including helping at Loaves & Fishes, The Ronald McDonald House and Women Escaping a Violent Environment – already have enough volunteers for the Christmas holiday. But those involved with charitable work all year say that the need will continue well beyond the holidays. However, if you’re set on volunteering during the holidays, The Salvation Army still has opportunities. “We’re ramping up for our Coats for Kids drive,” said Salvation Army spokesman Sydney Fong. “Our big day is Dec. 30.” Fong said the distribution will be held then at the California Exposition and State Fair. In addition to needing v

Carmichael, Ca. – There’s no doubt that moving can be a difficult event for anyone, but for a senior those difficulties escalate. A move for seniors usually involves downsizing which means deciding what to do with possessions that have accumulated over many years. Physically, most seniors are unable to do the actual lifting and moving. Many feel emotionally traumatized by having to leave the place they’ve called home for decades and that is often compounded by the fear of letting strangers handle their treasured household goods. The good news for seniors in the greater Sacramento region is found in a moving company designed just for them – The Eskaton Moving Connection. More than just a