Bob and Langley

COVID-19 Update

From: Bob Sonnenberg, CEO

Date: March 26, 2020

Dear Earle Baum Center Community,

On Day 10 of our campus closure, EBC’s OIB (Older Individuals Who are Blind) program with 12 locations in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino and Napa counties has gone fully remote. EBC’s OIB program is an essential part of who we are at EBC. Our current goal is to talk and connect with participants, and offer ongoing help with needs and resources.

Patricia, our EBC instructor reports in on her daily phone contacts and progress with the first round of nearly 120 calls. She noted that one beloved centenarian client continues to enjoy her desktop video magnifier for viewing family photos and cards. On another call, a client worried we may need to take the device back. She was reassured immediately that is not the case! Whew, she expressed, because she is staying up on news, bad as she thinks it is.

Patricia lets us know each day how touched our clients are to hear from her. They really appreciate that EBC is calling. Clients feel connected to the world and eager to view family albums and remember happier times. For Patricia, she found the silver lining when she wrote us, ‘Feels good to have the time to do this.’

And a note from the front . . . our essential agency administration staff who are working at the center are committed to social distancing, just like you are. Each has their own office and keeps a distance of 6 feet (or more) apart. Shared items and our kitchen area, printer, door handles, and restrooms are wiped down by each person before and after use. Individual offices are wiped down before the start and end of each day. We remain vigilant. Our staff recognizes that at any time they may be required to work from home, and also that they can choose to work from home.

Together we are prepared. We are here to stay in touch with you. Please stay strong and healthy. –Bob

+++++

COVID-19 Update

From: Bob Sonnenberg, CEO

Date: March 17, 2020

Dear Earle Baum Center Community,

We have been meeting to determine the best plan for EBC and our campus as we navigate the continuously evolving information coming from our partners and  government agencies.

Together with our Board executive team and managers we created a plan we hope will help to protect the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, neighbors, and everyone that we serve.

Earle Baum Center campus is now closed for all group classes and events effective Monday, March 16^th and will reopen on Monday, April 13.  (This date may change as updates from the CDC and County Public Health are provided.)

During this time our instructors will continue 1 on 1 training with students via telephone or Zoom.  Instructors will contact each student over the next week to outline individual plans.

Please call our main phone at 707.523.3222 for recorded updates.

We will be keeping you posted as to any new dates of closure or re-opening as soon as we know.   Please feel free to call me, or your instructor if you have any questions.  We will do our best to respond in a timely fashion.

Please take care of yourself and thank you for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Bob Sonnenberg

CEO, Earle Baum Center

+++++

March 13, 2020

To our Napa Cycle for Sight & Rotary Ride for Veterans cyclists, guests and sponsors, please see this announcement from our event host.

“The health and wellness of our cyclists, guests, volunteers, sponsors and beneficiaries is our utmost concern. We, the NAPA Cycle for Sight & Rotary Ride for Veterans team, are moving our April 18th event to a date later in 2020. We shall contact you with a confirmed date once we have the requisite approval to bring us together for another great day on the bike.

Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented period of time.”