September 2021 Newsletter

BBS Relief & Covid19 Assistance

We are opening this newsletter with a special thank you to our dedicated volunteer Relief Committee. On a consistent basis the BBS receives requests for assistance and our Relief Committee always make themselves available to determine impactful relief. Applications they receive remain delicate as Covid continues to complicate the lives of many; meanwhile, other applications are more of a traditional nature from Brits who have fallen on hard times. Nonetheless anyone who comes to the BBS requesting help is in a unique position of vulnerability and if there is a way to help them, the Relief Committee will find a way.

In September the BBS received a Covid19 Grant request from a stylist based in Los Angeles. She had been without reliable work or income since March 2020. Still determined to make the US her home, she requested assistance which would help her cover basic needs such as rent.

Another case involved helping with the repatriation of a Brit who had made his way to LA after living in Arizona for a number of years. This applicant had the traumatic and unfortunate experience of being mugged and beaten while navigating homeless shelters in LA. He made contact with family in the UK who were willing to help him, and he decided to return home. The BBS was able to pay for a new travel document, Covid testing in the US and the UK, as well as his one way journey to England. He has since made it home safely.

Since the beginning of 2021, the BBS have provided just under $52,000 in financial relief including 15 $1,500 Covid19 Grants. In years prior to the pandemic, relief assistance rarely exceeded $30,000 annually. As always, thank you for your donations and memberships which directly help provide ongoing relief.

Welcome New Business Members

We are delighted to welcome two new BBS Business members! Tiburon Tavern and Ryder Real Estate. As with all of our business members we are extremely grateful for their support and commitment to helping further the legacy of the BBS through generous donations.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a member please do get in touch.

A conversation with Royal Correspondent Victoria Murphy

Thank you to those who were able to attend the Zoom conversation where we discussed Victoria Murphy’s new picture book focusing on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The discussion led us from the moment Queen Elizabeth took the throne, touching on personal time with family and friends, and closing with current times.

We would strongly recommend that everyone take a moment to look at this book. With the Diamond Jubilee coming up next year, we are reminded that so much has happened in the past 60 years!

More information about the book may be found here and here.

Upcoming Events

Autumn in Marin & Sonoma Bike Ride

When: Sunday 17 October
Where: Starting @ 75 Queens Lane, Petaluma CA
Registration: Registration can be found on our website

We hope that you will bring your family and friends to participate on one of the 3 routes planned for the day:

• 5-10 Mile
• 40 Mile
• 60 Mile

Further details and rout information can be found here.

 

New Date!
Great British American Pub Quiz

 

When: Thursday 4 November
Where: Zoom! The comfort of your own home
Time: 6-7:30PM
Registration: Register Here Today

We are delighted to join our friends at the BABC once again for a Pub Quiz! Anyone is welcome to join: members or non members.

How this works:
Just like at the pub, you will each need to be a part of a pub quiz team.

Details:

• Maximum team size is 4
• Registration fee, $20 per computer
• If you need to be connected with a team, singles and doubles upon registration, we can do this for you
• Teams do not need to be at the same computer to participate, they can collaborate answers through a WhatsApp group or a private chat on Zoom
• Each team will designate a team captain
• Feel free to register/log into the Zoom appointment up to 15 minutes prior to the actual start time. Give yourself time to get organized, make yourself a drink and get comfortable!

Registration:
Register here today. We will follow up to confirm team names and identify team captain.
The event registration fee of $20 will help support the BBS with our relief efforts, specifically Coronavirus related cases, during this difficult time.

Day before the Pub Quiz, 3 November:
Registrants will receive a Zoom link with further preparation details within 24 hours prior to the quiz.

Become a BBS Member:
If you are not a BBS member, please consider joining today! Membership dues directly support all Covid19 relief cases and the Coronavirus Relief Program.

Please contact us if you have questions or would like to confirm your team name and partners.

Read More of the September 2021 Newsletter Here