It’s not too late to vaccinate
Last year’s H1N1 influenza will likely continue to spread into the 2009-2010 flu season, although H1N1 flu may be leveling off, cases of serious illness and even death are still occurring. Vaccination is the best protection against this potentially serious disease.
The Centers for Disease Control established the National Influenza Vaccination Week to highlight the importance of influenza vaccination for everyone. This year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week is Jan. 10-16, 2010. Sonoma County Department of Health Services Public Health Division is using this observance to highlight the continuing presence of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in our communities, and to emphasize the importance of getting vaccinated into January and beyond.
On Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, Sonoma County Public Health Division will hold a free vaccination clinic open to the general public. The 2009 H1N1 clinic will be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Garrett Building, at 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“Now is the time for all people to get vaccinated. The earlier restrictions to priority groups have been lifted. 2009 H1N1 vaccine is widely available throughout the county, and virtually everyone over the age of 6 months should get vaccinated,” declared Dr. Mark Netherda, Sonoma County Deputy Health Officer. “Influenza is unpredictable, and while we do not know the likelihood of a future wave of 2009 H1N1 influenza, we do know that if more people are vaccinated, the disease is less likely to spread in the coming months. We recommend that people contact their medical provider or seek the vaccine at local pharmacies. For those who can’t access the vaccine in these ways, please come to the county clinic on Jan. 23rd.”
Visit flu.gov to find vaccination clinics in your area. For more information about the 2009 H1N1 flu, call the Public Health Information Line at 707.565.4477 or check the
Sonoma County Public Health Web site: sonoma-county.org/PublicHealth.
Splash Grant announced
Valley of the Moon Aquatics/SwimAmerica Sonoma has been selected by the USA Swimming Foundation as one of 12 clubs across the nation to receive up to $5,000 in grant monies. Valley of the Moon Aquatics SwimAmerica Sonoma is recognized as a “Make a Splash Local Partner,” one of over 140 providers across the nation who has committed to the USA Swimming Foundation’s goal of helping provide the opportunity for every child in America to learn to swim. So far Valley of the Moon Aquatics/SwimAmerica Sonoma has taught 400 children to swim in 2009.
“Our Make a Splash Local Partners make a difference by taking tangible action to advance the Make a Splash mission,” said Chris LaBianco, chief development officer for the USA Swimming Foundation. “Local partners including Valley of the Moon Aquatics/SwimAmerica Sonoma help us expand our reach across the country, and potentially save lives.”
With the grant, the group will expand its ability to teach kids to swim by offering scholarships to offset lesson costs, offering reduced-cost lessons to 50 percent of the swimmers in the swim school including a Swim Camp for children in the Sonoma Valley Boys and Girls Clubs’ summer program.
For more information on the Make a Splash program, visit makeasplash.org or contact Erin Greene at egreene@usaswimming.org. For more information about our learn-to-swim program, visit swimamericasonoma.com or contact Arden Kremer at 707.938.9938.
Sonoma Valley Fund names new officers
Founding Board President Whitney Evans has announced a new leadership team for the Sonoma Valley Fund (SVF), effective January 1, 2010. Stepping into the role of President is Harriet Derwingson. Dave Stollmeyer will serve as Vice President and Tom Haeuser as Secretary/Treasurer. Evans will remain on the board as Past President and Chair of the Development Committee. Other board members are Peggy Bair, John Brady, Susan Cook, Tony Garcia, Steve Pease, George Rathman, Rick Wynne and Barbara Young.
The Sonoma Valley Fund was established in December 2006 as an affiliate of Community Foundation Sonoma County. Its mission is to strengthen the community through philanthropy and legacy giving. “These past 3 years have been the most rewarding of my life in the nonprofit world,” said Evans, who is a key founder and the linchpin of the start-up, all-volunteer organization. Among the accomplishments during his term as president include partnerships with 13 local nonprofits, over $16 million in organizational funds, donor-advised funds and charitable legacy gifts, and awarding over $125,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations. Additional funds for awarding grants are anticipated later in 2010 based on a recent generous bequest.
“Whitney has set the standard for establishing and growing an incredible asset for our community,” said incoming President Harriet Derwingson. “We will continue to seek opportunities to help strengthen our partners as they work to establish legacy programs and endowments to ensure their long-term viability. In addition, we will focus our attention in 2010 on two key civic engagement initiatives to benefit our community: the Youth Initiative, for which we are currently organizing a Coordinating Council to oversee, and the Nonprofit Services Initiative, which will utilize the expertise of Stanford Business School Alumni to help nonprofits assess where they may save expenses in order to direct more money to their programs.”
Sonoma Valley Fund is a resource for donors who wish to make charitable gifts, especially as part of their estate planning, to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Sonoma Valley. Donors may make gifts through a variety of programs to benefit specific causes, or rely on SVF’s Board of Directors who are long-term, active residents of Sonoma Valley. For more information, visit www.sonomavalleyfund.org.
