President’s Message – February 2020

    February is the month of love and appreciation. All of us at The Orinda Association (OA) would like to take this opportunity to give a heartfelt thank you to our supporters and donors for their generosity and sharing of their time throughout 2019. The programs and services that The Orinda Association offers would not be possible without their kind financial contributions and dedicated volunteer support.
    The OA is a 74-year-old Orinda volunteer non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of lives in our city. It relies solely on donations and volunteer assistance from local residents.
    As we begin 2020, we start to plan for the Fourth of July Parade and the Annual Classic Car Show. These two events attract thousands of Orindans and people throughout the Bay Area. The parade and car show have become the largest attended events in the city over the years.
    Orinda Car Show proceeds go directly to such groups as the OA Seniors Around Town program, the Orinda Historical Society, the Orinda Community Foundation (OCF), Lamorinda Arts Council and many more. While these events are six and eight months away, planning and organization begins many months in advance.
    As in past years, we rely on many of you to volunteer before and during these special events. If you are looking for something fun to do and like parades and vintage cars, please contact the OA at 925-254-0800 or email oa@orindaassociation.org.
    If you are looking for other volunteer opportunities or a cause to support financially, consider Seniors Around Town (SAT). This premier program provides free transportation to Orinda seniors by Orinda resident drivers. The program has grown exponentially since its beginning in 2005.
    The expansion largely has been due to the city’s increasing aging population and the tremendous need for no-cost transportation to many of our seniors. The program has a paid staff of three part timers.
    In order to keep this staff, we need your continued financial support. If you are a senior in need of a ride to your doctor’s appointments, or someone who would like to volunteer as a driver, or if you would like to assist financially, please contact 925-402-4506 or email seniorsaroundtownorinda@gmail.com.
    In appreciation of our many volunteers, The OA and the OCF will be honoring and recognizing exceptional volunteers at a gala dinner event March 22. The annual Orinda Citizen of the Year and William Penn Mott Jr. Environmental Award will be presented on this evening to these dedicated and committed individuals and/or organizations. The event will be held at 6 p.m. at the Orinda Country Club. For more information, go to orindafoundation.org. To purchase tickets visit orindaassocistion.org.