Dear Neighbors,
The past week has been trying for all of us as we all adjust to our new reality. By all accounts this will be a long term shift for our City. Del Rey has been calm and peaceful, and there’s been a lot of communication amongst neighbors making sure everyone has what they need. Thank you to everyone for remaining calm in the face of such uncertainty.
OFFICIAL LINKS
I encourage everyone to continue to monitor the official sources of information for further updates:
DEL REY FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/delreyla
DEL REY NC TWITTER FEED: https://twitter.com/DelReyNeighbor
OFFICIAL CITY WEBSITE: https://corona-virus.la
COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus
These links include updated information on health and safety tips, mandated closures, statistics of those infected, and programs the City has put in place for homeless, seniors and other vulnerable populations. LAUSD also has stepped up with resources, assistance and free meals.
DEL REY NC ASSISTANCE
As we pivot to the prospect of this being a long duration event, I know many of you are looking for ways you can help your neighbors. Our Board has donated supplies to a local Senior facility in need, as well as shuttled meals to Mar Vista Gardens children and seniors.
Our Council remains here for individual needs, and we have today created a new mechanism to organize those requests via Westside Friends network. Please check out their website either to volunteer or to request assistance. Any requests on this site will come to me, and I’ll be able to help get them fulfilled: https://www.westsidefriends.com
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Other neighbors have asked me how they can help. Heeding the warnings of health officials is the best thing you can do. If you are looking for more, I’ve included some neighborhood resources below. Volunteering for the below are essential activities allowed under the Mayor’s order, and all require safety recommendations will be adhered to.
SCHOOL MEAL ASSISTANCE:
American Red Cross (ARC) is recruiting volunteers to help serve free meals to LAUSD students. Marina del Rey Middle School on Braddock is our local distribution site, and you can sign up to help via the Red Cross. First you must register as a volunteer, and then within 24-48 hours, you’ll be able to log in and select the location: redcross.org/la
VENICE COMMUNITY HOUSING (VCH):
One of the larger supportive housing groups in our area, VCH, is in need of food, cleaning supplies & donations to make up for a loss of services:
Meal Train – https://www.mealtrain.com/groups/vch – Please scroll through the webpage to view the various opportunities to make a meal for a family in need
Donations: https:// secure.qgiv.com/for/vchc/event/813827
BLOOD DRIVE:
ARC is also asking for blood donors to come forward, as there’s been a steep drop off this week: https://www.redcrossblood.org
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE:
St Joseph’s Center and Safe Place For Youth are more important than ever in serving those in need. They have modified their services but are remaining engaged and active. Links to help below:
St Joseph’s Center, to volunteer or donate: https://stjosephctr.org
SPY is accepting donations via this link: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/safeplaceforyouth?code=home%20page
ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN NEED:
Mar Vista Family Center is trying to transition to safe programs and is asking for donations: http://marvistafc.org/donate
Venice Arts is also closed for the time being but is asking for donations for when they can reopen: https://www.classy.org/campaign/media-arts-camp-campaign-2020/c268047
KEEPING OURSELVES HEALTHY AND STRONG
I hope everyone is staying healthy and keeping sane. Please read my editorial in this week’s edition of the Argonaut for thoughts on keeping your mind and body healthy, as there’s a way we all come out of this stronger than ever as individuals and as a community: https://argonautnews.com/opinion-coping-with-our-new-reality/?fbclid=IwAR1Y2mOpyCemvMQwdrmys_IPsREwZLq4G4j0edpP0Z-sJofoc2JFI60nRsI
We as a Council remain here for our neighbors, and I’m available at anytime at matt.wersinger@delreync.org. Thank you for being such good neighbors during this time!
Sincerely,
Matt Wersinger
President
Del Rey Neighborhood Council
