Worthy Causes : Donations to these groups benefit the frail elderly, those with Alzheimer’s and others who can be helped by social services.

I was disturbed recently by reports that donated items left outside some local thrift shops are being taken--not by the needy--but by unscrupulous profiteers who stock their garage sales with stolen goods.

This behavior is especially irksome because, like many people, I enjoy knowing that someone will recycle my fashion mistake. More importantly, the profits usually benefit the local community by supporting social service agencies such as Conejo Valley Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks.

Senior Concerns, a nonprofit agency, was founded in 1978 to meet the special needs of the frail elderly in the Conejo Valley. Its mission is to help such senior citizens avoid or postpone commitment to a full-time care facility.

A 21-member volunteer board of directors serves as the policy-making and fund-raising arm of Senior Concerns. And its programs and services for senior citizens are supported by grants, donations, client contributions and the United Way.

But founding volunteer member Rudy Edmund, 83, emphasized the importance of local volunteers. They collect and sell items donated by the community at parking lot sales and in the thrift shop.

“But we also honor requests from various social service agencies to give items to people in need on a voucher basis,” said Edmund, who helps staff the shop. Nevertheless, the thrift shop profits enable Senior Concerns to operate several programs and services for the frail elderly as well as Alzheimer’s patients and their families.

The Fitzgerald Senior Day Support Center, which opened its expanded facility in August, offers activities such as dancing, exercise and discussion groups. The center can accommodate daily up to 40 senior citizens who need supportive services but not nursing care. And early next year, it will open a special Alzheimer’s respite program serving up to 10 participants daily.

“This prevents care-giver burnout by providing some time away from the loved one,” said Lynn Engelbert, the center’s director.

Engelbert said the center has offered a general support group for many years; it is open to family and friends caring for the frail elderly.

Other programs include Meals on Wheels, which delivers nearly 28,000 meals annually to homebound senior citizens.

“And Senior Concerns Advisors is a hot line-referral service program,” Edmund said. “We work with seniors in getting their problems solved, whatever they are.”

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A Veterans Day Dance for adults age 50 and older will be held Friday, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. The cost of $4 per person includes live music by the John Sherri Band and light refreshments. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For details, call 526-9237.

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A Harvest Brunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. Sunday for adults age 50 and older and their guests at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. A cost of $4.50 per person includes entertainment by the Ventura County Woodwind Quintet. Reservations and payment must be received by today. For information, call 526-9237.

FYI

To contact the main office of Conejo Valley Senior Concerns, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks, call 497-0189. Support groups are free, and other services are provided on a sliding-scale basis.

For information about the agency’s programs, call the following numbers:

* Fitzgerald Senior Day Support Center for senior citizens with special needs and Senior Concerns Support Group for Care Givers, 497-0159.

* To learn more about memory loss and care-giving coping strategies, anyone is invited to attend the next informal round-table discussion 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 23. Please RSVP by calling 497-0159.

Senior Concerns Advisors 495-6250.

Meals on Wheels, 496-2009.

The Treasure Oaks Thrift Shop, 80 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 373-0504.