In a town of many charitable organizations, there is another benevolent organization in ScottsValley that some of us may not have heard about.
Montevalle Community Life Association is a 501(c) 3 organization originally started about five years ago at the Montevalle Mobile Home Park residential community at 552 Bean Creek Road by homeowner volunteers to help with projects on-site at Montevalle. Three years ago the group expanded to helping all seniors in ScottsValley.
The group of enthusiastic helpers has been holding programs of interest in their Lodge Conference Room on a variety of topics for ScottsValley seniors since 2010. Some of the topics have included everything seniors want to know about Medicare, Stroke Prevention, Diabetes, Healthy Heart, Senior Safety, Alzheimer’s, Hip Pain and Treatment, as well as many other subjects of interest.
On February 13, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. they are having a Tax Seminar in their Lodge Conference Room.
The president of the Montevalle Community Life Association is Dave Hodgin, aka ScottsValley’s “Man of the Year.” Dave’s day jobs in the past have been owner and/or manager of such varied businesses as a travel park and a horse ranch. Nowadays he is a Certified Management Consultant and owner of The Pathfinder Companies as well as volunteering at MCL, being on the Scotts Valley Water District Board and participating on many other community boards/groups.
Under his leadership, as well as that of Vice President Diane Bianconi McNiel, Treasurer Carl Hoyt and Director Diane Cohan, the Association has purchased items such as an Automatic External Defibrillator for Montevalle as well a dishwasher/sanitizer for the Lodge Conference Room. They have also organized community dinners on-site twice a month so residents are able to have healthy meals and socialize with their neighbors.
In the larger ScottsValley senior community, they have provided a grant for a solo dance instructional video “so other senior groups can learn and enjoy this fun way to exercise.” At Spring Lakes Mobile Home Park they have donated a re-furbished AED at a cost of $1,000. MCL has donated patio umbrellas to the ScottsValleySeniorCenter. They have become a Founding Partner in building the Community Performing Arts Center at the Scotts Valley Library.
The mission of MCL is to: 1) Enhance and add enjoyment to the lives of seniors in the community; 2) Provide educational opportunities with a focus on healthy living habits; and, 3) Provide access to facilities that help seniors create their own healthy lives.