Volunteer of the Month
Archives

July 2021
Dolores Ulloa

Photo of Dolores Ulloa

This month we’d like to shine the light on Dolores Ulloa. Dolores is one of our Transportation Assistance Drivers, and has been driving since she became a member back in January of 2011. When she first became a member she heard that we needed volunteer drivers to take seniors to Quality of Life destinations (ie. Medical, dental, DMV, banking, grocery shopping, etc.). She consistently drove at least two times a week. When Covid hit, she, like so many others, took heed when we were told to avoid close contact. However, she still wanted to help out and figured that delivering meals to seniors would be just fine. So for the past year she has been delivering lunches two times a week. She hopes to get back to TAP driving once things settle down and we get the all clear. Born and raised in San Bernardino, she learned finances while working for her father, who ran a finance business. She took those skill and went to work for Northrup Grumman for 25 years as a Pricing Analyst before retiring. During that time she raised a family which now includes three kids, five grandkids, and one great-grandkid. She is still helping with the family, but now also helps to take care of our members. For that we are truly thankful.

Featured Class

Italian
Date: April 24, 2020
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Length: 8
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Rita Sicilliano
Location: Game Room
Description: Italian is taught by Margherita Sicilliano. Margherita, who also goes by the names Margo or Rita, and is from the old country. Born in Caserta, Italy, she was actually born in the Italian Royal Palace (the Reggia di Caserta). Her mom was touring the palace when she went into labor. Not many people can say that they were born in a royal palace, much less a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Raised and educated in Italy, she was still in college when she came with her family to the United States. She continued with her education getting a Bachelor's Degree. She then went back to Italy to get her Master's Degree. Her teaching experience spans 42 years and includes teaching high school French, Spanish, and Italian in New York, as well as French and Spanish Advanced Placement classes at the local Aquinas High School. After retiring some friends told her about the center. She took a trip here and discovered a fellow Italian, Virginia Kautzman, and the two became friends. Margo also found out about our University Language classes, and decided to get back into teaching. She approached us about teaching here, and after offering a choice between Italian and German, everyone decided that Italian would be perfect. Now it is the only Italian class being offered in the area. Student’s need to bring only a pencil and paper to class. There is a work book students can purchase through Amazon for $16, but it is not necessary. The class is open to absolute beginners and those who wish to keep up their Italian. A presto! See you soon!

Featured Activity

Hula
Time: Thursdays 10:00 - 10:30 am
Cost: Free members
      Free non-members
Location: Exercise Room
Description: Get ready to shake your groove thing as we welcome back Hula! In January, our Hula returned on Thursdays from 10:00 - 10:30 am. The class is officially called Hula and is being taught by Yolanda “YoYo” Hernandez. YoYo is our new instructor. She learned Hula when she was 72! She always wanted to learn, but didn’t the time, being busy with raising a family and work. She first started with yoga, learning balance. From there she worked on her flexibility, and finally learned Hula. She also believes that Hula is good for the body and the brain, having to remember the dance calls, the steps, and of course, the dancing itself. She first started teaching at another center, before she was asked to start teaching here. YoYo teaches both men and women and begins with the basics. She teaches both “hapa haole (Hula dance with English words), and traditional Hawaiian dances. Classes are taught on Thursdays, from 10:00 – 10:30 am and are free to attend. All one needs to bring is a willing spirit. Until then ke nānā aku nei mākou e ʻike iā ʻoe (we look forward to seeing you).

Koffee Klub

Join the Highland Senior Center for our FREE Koffee Klub. Come enjoy an informational meeting with a home cooked breakfast on the 2nd Thursday of each month. We feature great speakers and timely life topics. Please make sure you R.S.V.P. at (909)862-8104 !

December’s Koffee Klub was presented by our very own Executive Director, Penny Lilburn, who did a presentation on our very own Operation Senior Claus (O.S.C.). For those you who do not know, O.S.C. is a program run by the center where we deliver a home cooked holiday meal and a basket filled with food and goodies. The recipients are home bound seniors in the area.
We receive referrals from local senior housing apartments and mobile home parks as to who could use a hot meal delivered by a friendly face for the holidays. The center has been collecting non-perishable food for months prior as well as receiving donations for Stater Bros. gift cards which are then divided amongst over 150 seniors.
However, to deliver all these goodies we need drivers who come to the center and take no more than 3 baskets each. Each driver will only give up about one hour of their time, including pick up and deliver, ensuring that our seniors enjoy days of happiness. If you would like to donate your time or money please contact the center at (909)862-8104.