Help Norine Now
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81-years-young Norine Smith has been a major contributor to our lives and our community here in Berkeley, CA. Now due to mounting medical bills, she needs us to help her for a change. This is the woman who co-created black/white encounter groups in the ‘60s, and helped found the internationally renowned Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir in the ‘80s.
As the great-great-granddaughter of one of Oakland’s first firefighters she’s passionate about getting her community prepared for any emergency. She spearheaded the effort to organize her own neighborhood 20 years ago and then helped found the all volunteer Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network. Her recent work has ranged from Disaster & Fire Safety Commission meetings to attending Berkeley Fire Department swearing in ceremonies to congratulate our newest first responders.
During her career as a psychotherapist and clinical social worker, she helped countless people in the Bay Area. She established non-profit childcare centers in Fremont and Livermore and then administered the county mental health clinic in Vallejo. Her private practice (Yes, she still works with 6 clients) has helped individuals to become safely and effectively “more themselves” in today’s turbulent world.
Now Norine needs OUR help to deal with extensive medical bills. After she broke both bones in one of her ankles in mid-August, she needed extensive surgery, followed by multiple hospitalizations and stints in rehab, and resulting in diabetes-related issues, sepsis — and tens of thousands of dollars of medical costs not covered by insurance. Norine has depleted her savings, and her son has spent most of his retirement funds to help cover her costs. She needs help with medical bills and to cover the costs of home health care so she can stay in her home and out of rehab as she continues to recover. And of course, when it rains, it pours — Norine’s hearing aids just died and need to be replaced too!
Norine has selflessly given everything to support all of us in the East Bay throughout her 81 years. Your financial support right now will help her stay in her home, get better, and continue to be a “grandmother” to our community. Our goal is $30,000, which will cover Norine’s medical bills and home health care help for the next few months.
Your contribution will make a big difference to Norine. Please use this holiday season to give from your heart!
PS: You can also help by retweeting on Twitter and share on Facebook.
As the great-great-granddaughter of one of Oakland’s first firefighters she’s passionate about getting her community prepared for any emergency. She spearheaded the effort to organize her own neighborhood 20 years ago and then helped found the all volunteer Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network. Her recent work has ranged from Disaster & Fire Safety Commission meetings to attending Berkeley Fire Department swearing in ceremonies to congratulate our newest first responders.
During her career as a psychotherapist and clinical social worker, she helped countless people in the Bay Area. She established non-profit childcare centers in Fremont and Livermore and then administered the county mental health clinic in Vallejo. Her private practice (Yes, she still works with 6 clients) has helped individuals to become safely and effectively “more themselves” in today’s turbulent world.
Now Norine needs OUR help to deal with extensive medical bills. After she broke both bones in one of her ankles in mid-August, she needed extensive surgery, followed by multiple hospitalizations and stints in rehab, and resulting in diabetes-related issues, sepsis — and tens of thousands of dollars of medical costs not covered by insurance. Norine has depleted her savings, and her son has spent most of his retirement funds to help cover her costs. She needs help with medical bills and to cover the costs of home health care so she can stay in her home and out of rehab as she continues to recover. And of course, when it rains, it pours — Norine’s hearing aids just died and need to be replaced too!
Norine has selflessly given everything to support all of us in the East Bay throughout her 81 years. Your financial support right now will help her stay in her home, get better, and continue to be a “grandmother” to our community. Our goal is $30,000, which will cover Norine’s medical bills and home health care help for the next few months.
Your contribution will make a big difference to Norine. Please use this holiday season to give from your heart!
PS: You can also help by retweeting on Twitter and share on Facebook.
Organizer and beneficiary
Susan St George
Organizer
Berkeley, CA
Bernice Norine Smith
Beneficiary