{"id":94248,"date":"2025-12-14T13:48:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-14T13:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/94248\/"},"modified":"2025-12-14T13:48:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T13:48:11","slug":"heart-of-the-valley-provides-valuable-assistance-to-seniors-in-need-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/94248\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart of the Valley provides valuable assistance to seniors in need"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Marisa Carlini has spent her life helping others.<\/p>\n

The 64-year-old Santa Clara resident grew up with a nurse as a mom and decided to pursue the same profession. Yet, she didn\u2019t do it simply because being a nurse ran in the family, but because a compassion toward others is a big part of who she is.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love to take care of people \u2014 to listen to people,\u201d says Carlini, gazing around her home from her wheelchair. \u201cI never thought I would be in this position.\u201d<\/p>\n

After dealing with severe leg problems and pain for five years \u2014 and undergoing four failed surgeries to try and correct the situation \u2014 Carlini had her left leg amputated in late 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pain was gone,\u201d she remarks from the home she shares with two dogs, two birds and son Matteo.<\/p>\n

Losing her leg, however, changed pretty much every aspect of her life and threatened the independence that she had long enjoyed. Now, seemingly simple things \u2014 such as changing an overhead light bulb \u2014 were tasks that required the assistance of others.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe help I would give others, now I have to take,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, Carlini has been able to receive such assistance from Heart of the Valley<\/a>, a Santa Clara-based nonprofit that supports independent living for seniors in West Santa Clara Valley.<\/p>\n

Heart of the Valley\u2019s roots stretch back to the mid-1980s, when the Santa Clara Methodist Retirement Foundation built a pair of HUD-funded housing complexes that provided low-income rent for seniors. Founder Austin Warburton soon realized, however, that there was more work to be done and came up with a plan to provide volunteer services to low-income seniors throughout West Santa Clara Valley.<\/p>\n

Incorporated in 1987, Heart of the Valley now provides transportation, handyman services, yardwork, tech support and other services \u2014 ranging from housework to companionship \u2014 to more than 250 seniors (age 62 and up). Roughly half of these clients are in Santa Clara, with others scattered through San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos and Campbell.<\/p>\n

\"Marisa<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini checks on her basil plant in the backyard of her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Marisa<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini shows off a rock she painted at her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Marisa<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini pets Gus, a 54-year-old yellow-crowned amazon, at her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Marisa<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini poses for a photograph in her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 4<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini checks on her basil plant in the backyard of her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Through the Mercury News\u2019 annual Wish Book campaign, which seeks to raise money for the most vulnerable in our communities, Heart of the Valley is looking to get $25,000 to further expand its operations and work with even more seniors in need of services.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the years, Heart of the Valley has grown from a small volunteer operation into a full-fledged nonprofit that serves hundreds of seniors each year,\u201d explains Alma Soto, Heart of the Valley executive director. \u201cTo sustain and expand our services, we need continued financial support. Wish Book funds will directly strengthen our capacity to reach more seniors and provide them with essential services that support independence, dignity, and well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n

Specifically, the grant would be used to help Heart of the Valley improve vital technology (such as upgrading the website), expand its community outreach efforts and grow the volunteer base.<\/p>\n

These volunteers provide a wide range of expertise and services to senior clients \u2014 such as installing grab bars in Carlini\u2019s home so she won\u2019t have to worry as much about falling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWayne (a Heart of the Valley volunteer) came over and installed seven grab bars in just two hours,\u201d she remembers.<\/p>\n

Lidia Donez is one of the many volunteers who work at Heart of the Valley.<\/p>\n

The 84-year-old Santa Clara resident got involved with the organization in 2001, at the age of 60, after spending 36 years working at Hewlett-Packard.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the time when HP was the best employer in the Bay Area. Everybody wanted to work there,\u201d said Donez, who was hired by HP in the mid-\u201860s. \u201cI loved working there. They had free donuts \u2014 I gained about 20 pounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

With more time on her hands after retiring, Donez was looking for ways to give back to the community and quickly got plugged into Heart of the Valley.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started doing some work taking clients to go grocery shopping, taking clients to doctor appointments,\u201d says Donez, adding that many of the seniors were also in great need of companionship and conversation. \u201cI would talk to them, make them feel like they were worth something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AlmaAlma Soto, Executive Director of Heart of the Valley, helps Lidia Donez out the front door of their office in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, however, Donez went from helping others to also receiving help from Heart of the Valley.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just fell in July and broke my arm,\u201d says Donez, who adds that Heart of the Valley provided walkers to help her get around more safely while she healed from the arm injury. \u201cAs an elderly, you don\u2019t have the funds that you had when you were young.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thankfully, Heart of the Valley was there for Donez \u2014 just like she\u2019s been for so many others over the decades.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow we send people out to help her after she has helped people all of her life,\u201d Soto says.<\/p>\n

Months after her injury, Donez seems to be getting around much better and is back volunteering at Heart of the Valley. Notably, Donez \u2014 who has a background in finance from her years at HP \u2014 does bookkeeping work and provides other assistance for the organization.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of the jobs that she does are essentially three different positions,\u201d Soto says. \u201cShe is a value to Heart of the Valley.\u201d<\/p>\n

And so are all of the organization\u2019s many other volunteers, whether they can handle household repairs, IT troubleshooting, accounting work or some other type of valuable service to these seniors in need.<\/p>\n

\"LidiaLidia Donez, left, chats with <\/p>\n

Alma Soto, Executive Director of Heart of the Valley, in their office in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the beauty of Heart of the Valley,\u201d Soto says. \u201cI have several volunteers with different areas of expertise.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of them are recently retired and have more time on their hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet, Donez underscores that sometimes the greatest need is simply companionship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can imagine a lot of these people who have no one,\u201d she says. \u201cNo one comes to visit them. And that would be horrible for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

But thanks to Heart of the Valley, many of these seniors do get a knock on the door and chance to have some much-appreciated conversation. Adds Soto, \u201cSometimes a volunteer is the first person they\u2019ve seen in months.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

ABOUT WISH BOOK
Wish Book is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated by The Mercury News. Since 1983, Wish Book has been producing series of stories during the holiday season that highlight the wishes of those in need and invite readers to help fulfill them.<\/p>\n

WISH
Donations to Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors<\/a> will help the nonprofit support seniors living independently in the West Santa Clara Valley by expanding its community outreach, improving crucial technology and growing its volunteer base in addition to\u00a0 delivering services such as transportation, yardwork, home repairs, companionship, and wellness check-ins. Goal: $25,000.<\/p>\n

HOW TO GIVE
Donate at wishbook.mercurynews.com\/donate <\/a>or mail in this form.<\/a><\/p>\n

ONLINE EXTRA
Read other Wish Book stories, view photos and video at wishbook.mercurynews.com.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Marisa<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini pets Gus, a 54-year-old yellow-crowned amazon, at her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Alma<\/p>\n

Alma Soto, Executive Director of Heart of the Valley, poses for a photograph on front of their office in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Marisa<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini gives Esha, a 4-year-old Bernedoodle, a treat next to Lilo, a 6-year-old Great Pyrenees, in her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Marisa<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini shows off a rock she painted at her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Lidia<\/p>\n

Lidia Donez, left, works with <\/p>\n

Alma Soto, Executive Director of Heart of the Valley, in their office in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Marisa<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini poses for a photograph in her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Lidia<\/p>\n

Lidia Donez poses for a photograph in their office in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Marisa<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini gives Lilo, a 6-year-old Great Pyrenees, a treat in her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Lidia<\/p>\n

Lidia Donez, left, chats with <\/p>\n

Alma Soto, Executive Director of Heart of the Valley, in their office in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 9<\/p>\n

Marisa Carlini pets Gus, a 54-year-old yellow-crowned amazon, at her home in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Wish Book for Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors. Heart of the Valley provided Carlini with home safety upgrades including handrails, lighting, and bidets. (Nhat V. Meyer\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

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