As a Del Mar Garden Club (DMGC) board member Nancy Kane took charge of the Project Joy outreach partnership with Del Mar Community Connections (DMCC) over the 2024 holiday season, organizing her fellow DMGC members to create beautiful handmade gifts to deliver to the community members who are homebound, recently widowed, recovering from health challenges or in need of a little extra love, according to a news release.
Kane was nominated for Volunteer of the Month by DMCC Board Member Tanya Young, who shared in the news release that “DMCC is so fortunate that Nancy headed up Project Joy last year. She designed handmade quilted Bowl Cozies and filled them with treats to bring joy to all recipients. The lucky DMCC and DMGC volunteers got to have fun hanging out with Nancy and learning more about her amazing work.”
Kane is originally from Massachusetts, moved to California in 1989 and has called Del Mar home since 2019. She formerly worked as a buyer for JC Penney and raised four children with her husband, Chris. Kane loves gardening, quilting and her community and is organized enough to harness her artistic gifts and coordinate others to serve this community.
Currently she owns a specialty quilting service company (www.thequiltqueens.com) and loves spending time with her three granddaughters who all live in San Diego. Kane prioritizes her volunteer work, including providing service to Feeding San Diego, because “it truly fills my soul to help others.”
DMCC depends on the partnership of other community organizations for some of their most valued programs, and it’s a fun way to get even more people involved in keeping older adults in the community. Kane stated in the news release, “When the Garden Club asked for someone to head up Project Joy last year, I raised my hand right away! After delivering some of the gifts a few years ago, I couldn’t wait to put my own spin on it. The partnership not only brings so much joy to the gift recipients, but also to many other Garden Club volunteers.”
Del Mar Community Connections is an independent 501c3 nonprofit with a mission to support and serve the older adults of Del Mar so they may age independently at home. DMCC helps older adults live active, vibrant lives by providing transportation, education, and social activities. Those who have further questions about DMCC may call during business hours at (858) 792-7565, email dmcc@dmcc.cc or visit the website at www.dmcc.cc.
To learn more about Kane or volunteering for DMCC, visit www.dmcc.cc/volunteerofthemonth. If you have an idea for a partner organization to work with DMCC to benefit the older residents of Del Mar, contact the office at dmcc@dmcc.cc or call (858) 792-7565.