Page 14 - Sonoma County Gazette 11-19

Free Bookmobile FUNDRAISER To Build a New Truck - All or Nothing Deadline Nov 15!
By Glen Weaver,
RECOVER cont’d from page 1
The Free Bookmobile of Sonoma County has been notified
The Collaborative’s goal is to ensure that Sonoma County residents learn
to recognize the signs of mental health distress and have access to resources and services for personal recovery, as well as long-term healing and resiliency skill-building. Working with mental health experts from local and national associations, as well as a network of clinics and nonprofits, the Collaborative has put together a county-wide approach to healing that includes evidence- based methods.
by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that its bookmobile vehicle engine is no longer in compliance with emission regulation law. Diesel- powered vehicles in the bookmobile’s weight class must now run a 2010 or newer model-year engine to operate across Sonoma County. The Free Bookmobile’s current engine is a 1995 model-year Cummins turbo diesel.
Tammy Sakanashi, a resident who has taken advantage of the services provided by the Collaborative said, “When we lost our house in Kenwood, we really needed some emotional calming, since losing our house caused such turmoil. I don’t think I would feel as grounded as I do now if it weren’t for the free yoga classes.” Tammy said.
Our beloved big green truck must be phased out due to new CA air quality regulations.
Weaver has tracked down a base model box truck suitable for conversion, featuring a semi-translucent roof for daytime illumination, a custom patron entrance, and low mileage on a strong and reliable engine. He has also lined up Sonoma County vendors to do the necessary modifications: hardware additions, electric & lighting, carpet, and of course the shelves that will carry all the wonderful books that county residents enjoy browsing and taking home.
“Switching out the engine just isn’t cost-effective,” explained Executive Director Glen Weaver. “We figured out that we can build a new bookmobile from a bare truck at similar expense, which should set us up for smooth operation for many years to come.”
About the Healthcare Foundation: The Healthcare Foundation is
a trusted funder and the leading Northern Sonoma County proponent for building a healthier community. The Healthcare Foundation leads, convenes and communicates with other funders, donors, grantees, and other partners to identify and analyze health issues in our community.
The Free Bookmobile is NOW seeking donations to complete the
project, which will cost approximately $32,500 in ADDITION to initial contributions already received. They have set up a crowdfunding page so anyone can pledge toward making the new bookmobile a reality and keeping the program alive. Donations can be made at: fundrazr.com/bookmobile.
Through collaboration, the Healthcare Foundation builds solutions to health issues. A flexible resource to carry out donors’ visions, the Healthcare Foundation takes a strategic lens in investing in areas of health access, mental health, and early childhood development.
Their fundraising campaign is “all or nothing”, meaning that donors will only be charged their pledge amounts if the
entire goal is reached and the project will
move forward. Donors can also choose to
Call: (707) 473-0583
email: dmason@healthcarefoundation.net,
or visit: www.healthcarefoundation.net
if you can donate to support our neighbors in need!
The only exemption available to the organization is for low mileage, which is allowing the bookmobile to perform its basic public-access outreach one day per week for the rest of the calendar year. Normally the vehicle is on the road 3 – 4 days per week, reaching thousands of eager readers each month. Beginning
The Collaborative provides a number of different services
in 2020, this 1,000-mile annual limit will render the bookmobile virtually useless in California. If
Psychological Recovery
a replacement vehicle is not acquired, the popular literacy program faces a complete shutdown.
Please be sure to share this information with those in need
of support. As we reach the second anniversary of the fires, and insurance funded support ends for many residents, the free mental health support services are brought to you by the Wildfire Mental Health Collaborative, an initiative of the Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County. Thanks to the generosity of donors such as the Tipping Point Community Foundation, Sonoma County‘s Resilience Fund, Redwood Credit Union Community Fund, Constellation Brands, The Dreaming Tree Wines, Medtronic, The American Red Cross, The Kindling Foundation and others, these services are provided for FREE.
that are offered for free during day, evening and weekend hours around the county.
• Individual and group counseling
• Trauma-informed yoga/meditation
• The free mobile app Sonoma Rises on iOS and Android
• The bilingual website www.mysonomastrong.com
• Outreach mental health speaker at your place of work, worship or
neighborhood group
• Training for mental health professionals in Skills for
remain anonymous.
About the Free Bookmobile of
Sonoma County: The Free Bookmobile
of Sonoma County promotes literacy
and love of reading by giving away high
quality books to access-challenged people
throughout the region. On a mission of
outreach, the Free Bookmobile especially
seeks to serve children, families and senior
citizens living in rural and low-income
areas. For the past 10 years, this award-
winning non-profit program has been boosting educational outcomes for local children, helping low-income families read together, and offering seniors opportunities for intellectual and social stimulation.
Outreach has grown to serve 25,000 people per year and demand for bookmobile visits continues to rise.
14 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 11/19