When disaster strikes, true compassion shines through—and that’s exactly what the Northern California Chapter of GAPNA demonstrated with their generous donation to Meals on Wheels – California.
The devastating L.A. wildfires of January 2025 tore through Southern California, leaving communities in turmoil. Among those most affected were older adults, many already facing health challenges, food insecurity, and displacement. Recognizing this urgent need, our dedicated chapter members were determined to make a meaningful impact.
When the idea of donating to wildfire relief was suggested at our January chapter meeting, three speakers from our chapter’s annual continuing education event generously volunteered to give their honorarium to this cause and the chapter voted to donate an equal amount. After careful research, we chose Meals on Wheels – California as the beneficiary of our chapter’s generosity.
Meals On Wheels is a nationwide network of community-based, non-profit programs that deliver nutritious meals and provide a friendly visit and safety check to seniors who are unable to prepare meals for themselves, helping them maintain their independence and well-being1. Meals On Wheels is actively partnering with health care organizations to improve the health and well-being of the vulnerable populations they serve. This often takes the form of care coordination through multi-disciplinary teams that include APRNs delivering holistic care to seniors in need.2
The Northern California chapter was proud to be able to support older adults and the APRNs working to serve them through this valuable program at a time when so many older adults were affected by the devastating fires.
By Mary Cochran Abraham, GNP-BC, President of the Northern California Chapter of GAPNA and
Ron Ordona, DNP, FNP-BC, Treasurer of the Northern California Chapter of GAPNA
1 https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/
2 LeFevre, M. Meals On Wheels America (April, 2019). Demystifying Care Coordination. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/docs/default-source/research/demystifying-care-coordination-wh…