When Jim Livermore retired from the brokerage industry a decade ago, he was thrilled at the thought of not having to stare at a computer screen."I'm very interested in psychology and sociology, and I've studied with a Native American shaman for about 15 years," he said. "I really wanted to find something I wanted to do."
He found his volunteering home with Meals on Wheels, where for the past eight years he has spent 30 to 40 hours a month helping seniors.
"The people I visit have no idea the lessons I've learned from them. They've been my teachers," said the grandfather of six girls.
As a Meals on Wheels driver, he is often the only social contact his clients will have that day. He has a reputation for making time to chat.
He also gives clients a little thrill when he arrives in his 1939 Ford convertible, which he also drives in Sebastopol's annual Apple Blossom Parade.
"We go for short rides just for fun. I tell them, 'My chariot is at your disposal.' They don't care where we're going," he said.
The Council on Aging provides services for seniors and delivers 1,000 hot meals every morning to homebound seniors in Sonoma County. In Livermore's hometown, Sebastopol, more than 1,100 meals are delivered each month.
Livermore is so concerned about his delivery clients that he has added a few to his roster for the Friendly Visitor program, a Council on Aging program that provides weekly visits to seniors who are on their own.
"It wasn't long before I felt that there was much more I needed to learn to be able to help. So, two years ago I got involved with the Peer Support program, too," he said.
That program is under the jurisdiction of the Sonoma County Department of Mental Health. Livermore helps clients with their goals, or just listens.
"These are people with ongoing issues of mental illness. They can be bipolar or just be depressed after losing a loved one," Livermore said.
Each Tuesday morning he visits a clinical supervisor for case consultations.
For the past eight years Livermore has served on the steering committee for the Council on Aging's annual fund-raiser, Derby Day, which coincides with the running of the Kentucky Derby. This year the gala will take place May 2 at the Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards in Windsor.
Livermore sets up the equipment for the "Iron Chef" competition that pits Wine Country chefs against each other in a test of creativity with unusual ingredients. The crowd-pleaser mimics the TV show of the same name that has dominated the Food Network for years. This year, chefs Justin Wangler of Kendall-Jackson and Brian Anderson of Bistro 29 will face off.
"In this respect, Jim helps us raise the much-needed funds to keep our agency running smoothly," said Michele Leonard, director of volunteer services at the Council on Aging.
Livermore plans to bring a favorite cribbage player to Derby Day. She gave up her driver's license last year.
"My special guest is 95-year-old Helen Allen, who will be speaking to the crowd about her experiences with Meals on Wheels," said Livermore.
Derby Day includes a luncheon with wines, silent and live auctions, a hat competition and a Kentucky Derby video broadcast. Tickets are $135 per person or $1,000 for a table that seats eight. Call 525-0143 or visit www.council
onaging.com for more information.
Staff Writer Rayne Wolfe can be reached at 521-5240 and rayne.wolfe@pressdemocrat.com.
He also gives clients a little thrill when he arrives in his 1939 Ford convertible, which he also drives in Sebastopol's annual Apple Blossom Parade.
"We go for short rides just for fun. I tell them, 'My chariot is at your disposal.' They don't care where we're going," he said.
The Council on Aging provides services for seniors and delivers 1,000 hot meals every morning to homebound seniors in Sonoma County. In Livermore's hometown, Sebastopol, more than 1,100 meals are delivered each month.
Livermore is so concerned about his delivery clients that he has added a few to his roster for the Friendly Visitor program, a Council on Aging program that provides weekly visits to seniors who are on their own.
"It wasn't long before I felt that there was much more I needed to learn to be able to help. So, two years ago I got involved with the Peer Support program, too," he said.
That program is under the jurisdiction of the Sonoma County Department of Mental Health. Livermore helps clients with their goals, or just listens.
"These are people with ongoing issues of mental illness. They can be bipolar or just be depressed after losing a loved one," Livermore said.
Each Tuesday morning he visits a clinical supervisor for case consultations.
For the past eight years Livermore has served on the steering committee for the Council on Aging's annual fund-raiser, Derby Day, which coincides with the running of the Kentucky Derby. This year the gala will take place May 2 at the Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards in Windsor.
Livermore sets up the equipment for the "Iron Chef" competition that pits Wine Country chefs against each other in a test of creativity with unusual ingredients. The crowd-pleaser mimics the TV show of the same name that has dominated the Food Network for years. This year, chefs Justin Wangler of Kendall-Jackson and Brian Anderson of Bistro 29 will face off.
"In this respect, Jim helps us raise the much-needed funds to keep our agency running smoothly," said Michele Leonard, director of volunteer services at the Council on Aging.
Livermore plans to bring a favorite cribbage player to Derby Day. She gave up her driver's license last year.
"My special guest is 95-year-old Helen Allen, who will be speaking to the crowd about her experiences with Meals on Wheels," said Livermore.
Derby Day includes a luncheon with wines, silent and live auctions, a hat competition and a Kentucky Derby video broadcast. Tickets are $135 per person or $1,000 for a table that seats eight. Call 525-0143 or visit www.council
onaging.com for more information.
Staff Writer Rayne Wolfe can be reached at 521-5240 and rayne.wolfe@pressdemocrat.com.
