CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Sometimes the simplest gestures of caring can have the biggest impacts.
That’s true of the “You Are Not Alone” – or YANA – Program offered by the Clearlake Police Department’s Volunteers in Police Services (VIPs).
YANA volunteers regularly place phone calls to seniors who live alone and who have limited family or community contacts.
Those enriching contacts also have given rise to thoughtful gestures and friendships amongst the volunteers and the seniors they serve.
Sgt. Nick Bennett said a senior who is about to turn 92 and has utilized the YANA program for approximately three years recently mentioned to a volunteer that she has been eating Cheerios since they were known as “Cheeri Oats.” That dates back to at least 1941.
Bennett said the Clearlake YANA volunteer contacted the General Mills Consumer Services Division, related the information about this dedication to their product and received a letter addressed to the senior citizen from General Mills and Cheerios Lifetime Champion Award recognizing her for “Continued loyalty and unfailing Cheerios usership.”
Also included in the package were coupons for future purchases of Cheerios, Bennett said.
Seniors can register for the YANA program by calling 707-994-8201, Extension 322. Leave your contact number and they will return your call.
If you are interested in becoming a VIP or YANA volunteer, call the above number and you will be contacted.