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| LIFE IN SOLERA | FEBRUARY 2022 | 23 Postage costs have sure gone up over the years. If you have done any mailing on a regular basis, I don't need to point it out to you. When we mail a large apple box, measuring 12" x 13" x 20" and weighing about 18 pounds, they cost $61 in postage. Needless to say, we are forced to curtail the number of large boxes containing light, but large, snacks such as Cup o Noodles, cookies, chips, etc. In our January issue of the Life in Solera magazine, I had mentioned that we had sent out 3,085 written Christmas cards to 36 units. I didn't mention that the postage for 31 postal envelopes and 5 small boxes, with cards, cost $353.20. I estimate our current funds will run out around mid-year. Over the years we have had all sorts of fundraisers to cover the postage. The first three years, we held Chili Cook Offs. For about five years, we had what we called The Taste Of Solera. These involved some of Solera's best cooks. One could have a very nice dinner, for $10. Along with raffles that accompanied these events, they were quite successful and covered our postal cost. The three photographs are from the last Taste of Solera events. The photo in the Clubhouse main lobby (bottom), shows all the $1 raffle items. One event was called A Pool Party, where you could eat inside or by the pool. We had three large Garage Sales. They were very profitable, but also very labor intensive. There have been about five events, hosted by the Karaoke Group. They seem to get better each year. Sprinkled among these were hot dogs at the Concert On The Green and a couple of Bake Sales. Unfortunately, county regulations stopped the bake sales. The care-package program really needs your help. A number of our fundraisers have been organized and hosted by Solera clubs. Please talk it over with your club members. You can always get help from other clubs, or Solera residents. I already have the Oakmont rooms reserved for Sun., March 20, from 1:30 pm on. This date could be changed. Let's make this happen. Thank you for caring. ~ Jesse Donardt SUPPORT OUR TROOPS We are well into the New Year now, and members of the Sunshine Club continue to send cards and make calls to Solera residents who are sick or who have experienced a death in the immediate family. Please be sure and contact one of our Club members so that we can follow up with your friends and neighbors. Our recycling activities are continuing. All plastic water bottles, juice and tea drink bottles, with caps removed, as well as all aluminum cans (for which you paid the redemption fee) are recyclable for cash. Each recyclable item must be clearly imprinted on its label or side with the words CA-CRV or CA CASH REFUND. Please be aware that plastic containers such as milk, Clorox, peanuts, etc., for which you have not paid the CRV fee, are not recyclable and should be put in your appropriate Waste Management Cans. If you have any questions about our Club or its activities, please call Judy Charlick at (951) 769-6465. Thanks for helping to put a little bit of sunshine back in our community! SUNSHINE CLUB The Flags were raised for MLK Day on Mon., Jan. 17. They will be raised on Mon., Feb. 21 for Presidents Day. Thank you to those few dedicated resident volunteers who are up "at the crack of dawn" on these special days to put up and take down our flags. Contact for the Flag Brigade – Nick Gercis, nick.gercis@gmail.com. Jesse Donardt is a resident of Solera and someone who cares for our troops overseas. Jesse collects things that our troops need and enhances the morale and well-being of these troops worldwide by shipping care boxes containing items specifically requested by them. Please support Jesse and the Support Our Troops program. Jesse can be reached at (951) 845-9028. To all veterans, thank you for your service! Billy (Mitch) Mitchell is a resident and veteran who has voluntarily worked with individuals and the Veterans Administration (VA) in order to assist veterans in obtaining veteran benefits. If you are a veteran and interested in finding out which benefits you may be eligible to obtain, contact Mitch at (951) 797-0800. FLAG BRIGADE

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