Sierra Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Newsletter ~ August 2026

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It may be the one in front who gets wet in the white water,  

but they are the one who sees what lies ahead first and without obstruction. 

Others ride along and talk about it later. 

~ A. Nonymous

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Little Things can make History Interesting.

History is more than just an ancient thing.  There is history being made every day.  It is often the little things that make it fun and get the mind going in the right direction or give some perspective.

There are more fake flamingos than real ones.

German Chocolate cake is not German.  It is named for the English American baker, Samuel German.

A slightly underweight dog will live two years longer than the ones that are a little overweight.

The fax machine was invented in 1843.  The age of feudal Japan of the Samuri’s ended in 1868.  Abe Lincoln died in 1865.  Therefore, there was a 22-year window where Abe Lincoln could have had a fax from a Samuri in Japan.

Humans smell rain better than sharks smell blood in the water.

Astronaut Buz Aldren’s father lived to see the Wright brothers first flight and his son step onto the moon

A sloth can hold its breath under water longer than a dolphin can.

In physics you can do something in a Jiffy.  It is the distance light travels one centimeter in a vacuum.  Or ten milliseconds.

Einstein died March 14^th,, or 314, the same day Steven Hawking was born.  314 is the first three digits of Pi which is the critical number needed in advanced mathematics.  Like the old joke says:  Pi are not round, Pi are squared.

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Knowledge collects facts; wisdom arranges them into meaning.

~ Oren Blake

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Expanding costs of medical transportation

During the June meeting of the Board of Directors the board considered how to fund our most expensive programs.  Our staff and volunteers drove 18,467 miles last year.  With the cost of fuel, staff and mileage the program of transportation is now 62% of the budget.

After some discussion the board approved a donation recommendation for medical trips performed by staff and volunteers which requires a trip to cities out of county such as Auburn, Carmichael, Roseville and Sacramento.  It was made clear their recommendation was a tax-deductible donation directly to Sierra Services, not a fee for service.  For tax and accounting purposes, the donation needs to be presented to Sierra Services by check, cash or credit card like any other donation.  Do not pay the driver.  Volunteers who ask for mileage compensation will still receive their checks from us.

Those clients who cannot afford it will still be provided with service, and the agency will retain the 45-year tradition of not charging clients for any of our services.  $20 is the recommendation for a minimum donation is for a trip to Auburn.  For Roseville and that area $25, and for the Sacramento area $30.  It is not a fee; it is a recommended donation.  You can give more, or even a little less, and give later if you need to.  We just need you to identify the donation as one to the transportation program.

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A new voice on the phone

We are proud to announce that Avery Nettles began her employment on Monday July 20^th.  If you call the office in the afternoon there is a new person answering the phones.  Avery has considerable experience working with the Community Center in North San Juan as they expand their influence on the Ridge.  She also has educated herself both academically and by experience the workings of non-profit agencies and brings a new generational perspective to the office.

So, we welcome her to the staff and the chance to get more things done with the office position now back to full time.  She fills out the now full-time office position when Sarah is not here.  Melissa and Joe will still be doing as they have for years.  Staff levels are once again as they were in the decades before COVID forced us to cut back on hours.

We welcome Avery and her lifelong history as a member of the community.

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Life’s meaning grows when you invest in others more than in applause.

~ Ezra Moretti

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Old Style Community Gathering Builds Character.

Sierra Services takes a step back to the idea that the community that works toward a common goal gets more done than the barn they may have built.  It solidifies the community itself.

Years ago, we had a walkathon and a bikeathon that was followed by a potluck style meal   The new Friends of Sierra Services is organizing such an event.

On Friday October 9^th at Condon Park from 11:30 to around 3:00.  We will be bringing the clients, the volunteers and the community to just such an event.  The details are yet to be finalized, but will include entertainment, a raffle with possibly an auction, and the meal with the main course put on by the Friends of Sierra Services and accompanied by several individuals or restaurants who will present their favorite old style picnic tabe potluck dishes.  It is also a fund-raising event so our plan is to find sponsorships to pay for the cost of the event.  Everyone can participate in the raffle, and one free ticket will be given to each who attends and there will be a donation pot.

We will need a count of how many are coming to order the food, so as more details of the event come together, we need you to call Sierra Services, 265-2121, and let us know how many are coming.  It is an opportunity for you and the agency to showcase the Community as it works toward a common goal.  Clients are asked to take this opportunity to invite those people who serve as their caregiver, or the neighbor that takes them to the store or bank for everyday things beyond our medical transportation.  It is also an opportunity for the Membership to see the agency at work and meet the clients we serve.

We in the office, and the Friends of Sierra Services for the Blind ask: “Y’all come, hear!”

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Family traditions are not in the photograph we took, but in the timeless wisdom and guidance we give by example to our generations.

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The budget grows with the times we live in

At the July meeting of the Board of Directors, and after a long discussion, the board accepted the budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that began on July 1^st .  Last year’s budget was set at $209,300.  This year due to the slight increase in not only staff levels, but to the cost of programs like transportation or the cost of printing and mailing our newsletters, it will be set at $228,000.

We hope that like last year we raise more money than we spend and can again take less from the investment account.  Last year income was over budget at $238,120.  Expense was also over at $214,911, which was caused by notable items like vehicle maintenance as we had to have new tires and all new brakes on the van in the same year.  And the cost of fuel and the increased number of out-of-town trips to doctor’s appointments and procedures also influenced costs.

As we enter the world of artificial intelligence new funding sources will help, and we had donations from the general public increased last year.  Many were the family of former clients.  We hope that trend can be maintained.  We are also planning several events using an old client related service programs like the picnic planned for October, or the holiday dinner by finding sponsors to cover the cost.

Fund raising is year around now.  Events like the dinners we once had are no longer producing the revenue they once could.  For over 45 years we have found a way despite inflation and the larger economy as well as changes in the makeup of our community.  In many ways we are finally being noticed for the work we do for the individual as they become more active in the community.  We drove over 18,500 miles to medical appointments, still do not charging our clients for our services, and simply are an agency that does what it says it will do.  We will serve the needs of the blind and visually impaired in the most elderly county in the state as both individuals and the unique needs of the whole community.

Funding granted to us by the community will stay in the community.  It will also circulate in the local economy on average six times a year.  We hope we can as a community maintain the reputation of taking care of our own challenges.  It was a group of volunteers from Nevada City that finally found and saved the Donner Party.  When the city burned several times in the early days, the town grabbed the seat of its pants and saw it as opportunity rather than disaster.  We hope that old community spirit is still here, and we can remain for another 45 years.

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Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. ~ A. Einstein

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Fire Season is here.

This year we have already had several small fires.  Thankfully, State and local fire departments have arrived quickly and stopped them at only a few acres.  As a result, several evacuation orders or warnings have been issued, and that is where we come in.

We know where our clients are, and when an evacuation of warning is issued you will get a call from both the county, and from us to make sure you are aware of the evacuation order and we will do what we can to help as you gather those things to take with you.  If you have only a warning and do not have to evacuate, or do not have someone to take you out if you do not drive you still need to prepare.  Warnings change into immediate evacuation orders quickly.

Be ready before it happens.  Keep important papers, medications and a change of clothing where you can get to it quickly.  If it is a neighbor who will take you, make sure you are on the same page.  If you need a ride, call 911.  And if you do leave, let us know where you are.  We get worried for your safety and will begin to work with emergency services to see if you are home or not.

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Change for the sake of change

All creatures are ruled by the traditions passed on to them by their family and how they fit into the community.  Some are basic to society, like living in a pack circled around family like the wolf or the herd of Elk to protect young and old from the pack.  Even your body will defend itself from an invasive viris.

Humanity is the same.  We traditionally care for our children.  We live in communities.  Yet, we are different.  We don’t follow the tribe anymore, we change it.  As a result, we as a people now feel the need to change things for sake of change, no matter if it doesn’t work out, we can change it again.  In the process we turn our back on time proven traditions.  We become self-serving and forget one of the characteristics is that the herd means you have come together to protect the young and elderly.  Generational changes affect the community, and it will lose its character.

Sierra Services has been a part of this community for 45 years.  We are that hand that reaches out to a need common in the community.  The solutions we provide still work.  The community will change as the generations between young and old wander off and families’ fragment.  Though we may adjust to a new generation, the need remains the same.  And so will out commitment.

The help we need is financial.  Sometimes even the hand that reaches out needs someone to take that hand for it too needs a little help.  Any donation you can give makes a large difference.

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Family traditions are in the timeless wisdom and guidance we give by example to our generations.

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We are looking for volunteer drivers! Interested? Please talk with Melissa,

(530) 265-2121