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| LIFE IN SOLERA | DECEMBER 2024 | 37 Boy, September, through November can be so busy! This is when we start planning Christmas. I visited a number of Solera's clubs and groups in September, and handed out boxes of Christmas cards. I had quite a few boxes of cards stored in our storage unit. For years, Beaumont Storage has donated a 7'x10' indoor, climate controlled storage unit to the Support Our Troops care package project. The folks of Solera sure have been busy writing cards. Every day, someone was dropping off their written cards. The last week of November was the deadline for returning the cards. I will post online and in the January issue, the number of cards sent. In October, we began including four to six little packets of 10-12 blank Christmas cards in each package, sent out. This would give our troops time to write and mail them home to family and friends. In mid-November, we retrieved boxes of Christmas decorations from our storage. These were repacked into large boxes, often apple boxes, and sent to the troops, so they had time to decorate and enjoy for the holidays. There were two holiday sad notes. No teachers volunteered to have their students write Christmas messages, make cards, or drawings. The other sad note, was that, as of the writing of this article, only one person thus far, has donated Halloween Trick or Treat candy. We depend on Trick or Treat candy to supply us for the year. I purchased three large bags, out of pocket, from three sources, to get variety. This should hold us until Christmas. After that, it will be slim pickings. At the age of 85, with hand trimmers, and mobility issues, due to a spine surgery that went bad, I call on volunteers to help with the project. I have a small list of Solera residents as volunteers. Most of the work consists of behind the scenes work as well as packing boxes. About once a month, I send photo cards, with hand written messages. For this, I need someone with neat, preferably block printing skills. I will usually text someone and ask if they are available for the next morning. Often the person is not available, and I have to text the next person. If you can help, please contact me. Thank you for caring. ~ Jesse Donardt SUPPORT OUR TROOPS VETERAN ASSISTANCE FLAG BRIGADE Billy (Mitch) Mitchell is a resident and Veteran who has voluntarily worked with individuals and the Veterans Administration to assist Veterans in obtaining benefits. If you are a Veteran and want to know which benefits you may be eligible for, contact Mitch at (951) 797-0800. The Flags were raised in November for Veterans Day, 11/11/2024. The Flags will be raised in December, 12/7/24, for Pearl Harbor 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. For info, contact for the Flag Brigade Nick Gercis at nick. gercis@gmail.com. Upcoming Flag Schedule: Pearl Harbor Day: Thurs., Dec. 7. To all veterans, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!