Video displaying scenes from White Sands La Jolla, a HumanGood Life Plan Community in La Jolla, California

Irene

Creating Connection for Herself and Others

Irene’s husband, Eduardo, has a nickname for her: “High Octane.” It’s not hard to see why. From art classes and poker to world travel and working on the community finance and budget committee, Irene is involved in programs too numerous to list. If a club doesn’t exist, she creates it.

 “Being busy and focused is key,” she says. “I’m really happy with everything I’m doing.”

Irene spent her career as a blood bank specialist at the Red Cross, working on state-of-the-art blood and blood stem cell procedures. Being committed to worthy causes is innate to who she is. Since moving to White Sands, Irene has become an invaluable member of the community. Whether helping other residents with digital devices or reviewing financial numbers for the finance and budget committee, she uses her many skills to help others.

 “And for fun, I play games,” she says.

Originally from Hong Kong, the mahjong aficionado started a club for the tile-based game with two other residents. They initially played one day a week, but that has grown as more people have joined.

“It’s fun, and it creates a sense of community,” she says.

While she enjoys life at White Sands, Irene and her husband have a passion for travel, which has taken them to numerous countries.  

“I love learning about the history, the different cultures and meeting people,” she says.

Their next trip is planned for the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. And although she may be halfway around the world, you can be sure she’ll still stay up to date with all the happenings at White Sands.

“I always take my computer with me on my travels to stay connected,” she says.

It’s that high energy and engagement that not only enriches her life but also the lives of those she touches.

Judy & Dennis

Finding Their Latest Seaside Oasis

Judy and Dennis have been drawn to the water for most of their lives. They were born three days apart in Santa Cruz, California, and their courtship began near the ocean when they met while sophomores in high school. They both graduated from Stanford. After grad school at UCLA, they moved to western Washington in 1972.

They worked and raised their two children on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands and in the Olympia and Seattle areas. Once their children left home, they lived on a 50-foot powerboat on Puget Sound before returning to Santa Cruz in 2000 and then moving to White Sands in April 2020.

They are in their element at White Sands; their apartment looks due west and is just steps from the beach.

"We sometimes have to close the patio door because the seagulls and the waves are so loud,” Judy, a former teacher, says with a laugh.

Whether hiking in Glacier National Park or moving to Nice, France, for a year, Judy and Dennis lead active, adventurous lives. And that hasn’t changed since they moved to White Sands.

Judy swims three days a week, “does every class offered” and is a “booktrovert,” participating in numerous book clubs. Dennis is up before dawn every morning. “4:30 a.m. is sleeping in for me,” he says. He reads 3-4 newspapers, walks the dog and exercises. He joined a boat club and fishes every week.

They both volunteer at the Preuss School in La Jolla, a charter high school for low-income students who strive to become the first in their families to go to college. White Sands has also offered Judy peace of mind when she has had physical setbacks. And for Dennis, that key amenity is priceless.

“This place feeds our minds as well as our bodies,” Judy says. “Our lives have been enhanced in every way.”

Lois

Giving Back Builds a Beautiful Friendship

Every Monday, Pat Guerrero hand-delivers hard-boiled eggs and string cheese to the homeless community in Mission Beach, California. Dubbed the “egg and cheese lady” by the people she serves, the White Sands director of community life has been delivering weekly donations during her lunch break for the past eight years. 

Pat immediately identified resident Lois as a kindred spirit when she moved into the community. “You can see from Lois’ eyes that she has this gift for ministry,” Pat says. “She started coming, and then our friendship grew because of it. Both of our hearts just swelled.”

“I was thrilled when I met Pat,” Lois says. “I love that I was able to come on board with her and go feed the homeless and to share our love for them.”

After Lois joined Pat, she set out to recruit others from the community, posting flyers on the White Sands bulletin board and asking her fellow neighbors to get involved.

A year later, the word had spread even further — and people were impressed. The women were featured in local newspapers and TV news.

“At first, I was a little overwhelmed,” Pat says. “We were getting all kinds of phone calls and people wanting to help.”

With the increased publicity, their outreach grew. Additional residents started volunteering; others now drop off clothing and shoe donations,  hygiene kits and books.

“Everybody is looking for ways to help out,” Pat says. “I think our residents have worked hard all their life to be able to retire and live in a beautiful place like White Sands. They do feel grateful for all that they’ve achieved and they do want to give back.”

White Pat thinks of all White Sands residents as her family, she and Lois share a special connection because of their faith and mission.

“Lois and my relationship — I treasure it,” Pat says. And likewise, “She is like my daughter now,” Lois says.

Ken & Carol

Partnering To Save the Planet

Ken is a self-described data-driven numbers nerd. Carol is a spirited lifelong activist. Together, these friends joined forces to run the White Sands Green Committee with a shared goal of bringing about positive environmental change through education and advocacy. 

“We balance each other out,” Ken, who spent much of his career as a chief financial officer working with high-tech companies, says.

Ken and Carol, both longtime La Jolla residents, moved to White Sands not knowing each other. When Carol was asked to take over as chair of the White Sands Green Committee, she went in search of a co-chair. Ken, who is a docent at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, seemed like a natural fit.

Together, they have energized White Sands residents to tackle a wide range of issues. At the top of Carol's list is the White Sands Monarch Butterfly Project, an effort to save the endangered Western monarch butterfly, whose numbers have declined precipitously. Carol leads a team of volunteers who provide milkweed plants and caterpillars to White Sands residents who wish to create habitats for raising butterflies. They recently released nearly 250 butterflies. 

While Carol’s passion is butterflies, Ken calls himself the committee’s “recycling guy.” He has overseen an effort to educate residents on what is recyclable and what isn't. He has implemented a program to safely discard electronics as well. In addition to the White Sands Monarch Butterfly Project, Ken and Carol write weekly “green tips” for the Sandpiper newsletter.  

“Now that we’ve seen what’s happened over the decades, more and more of us are becoming active and want to do what we can to save our planet,” Ken says.

Together, no doubt, they are making an impact.