Betty Grant has lived a life of adventure, from spending time with Elvis Presley -- he called her "Bet" -- to working as a professional dancer. At 79, she was proud to be living on her own in Napa, volunteering at the local hospital, and bringing dance and movement classes to seniors.

"I've never been married, never been told what to do," she said proudly. "I'm an independent old lady."

Her independence was shaken by the magnitude 6.0 quake that hit south Napa in early August, damaging homes and shops and dislodging Grant from the mobile home where she'd lived for 18 years. She was forced to flee her home in the middle of the night, grabbing only her dog, Penny.

"A friend I used to work with in Napa said I could stay with her for two weeks," Grant said. "Then another girlfriend who was going on a cruise offered her house for 11 days. I've moved three times."

She never expected to be couch surfing in her so-called golden years. Her monthly retirement income is $1,400, and she has only a few thousand dollars in savings.

Thankfully, with help from family, friends and strangers, she moved into a month-to-month one-bedroom apartment. With everything in storage, her patio furniture is her indoor furniture. The Chronicle's Season of Sharing fund paid Grant's rent for November and early December, and her nephew bought a replacement mobile home for her. She plans to move back to the same lot in the same mobile home park soon.

Grant said that her old mobile home was one of nine red-tagged as unlivable. An additional six mobile home units burned the night of the quake, she said. Many of Grant's former neighbors remain dislodged.

"My nephews went in with hard hats and moved all of my things into storage," Grant said from her apartment in Napa. "To this day, I don't have my things. It's horrible when a senior doesn't have her things. I don't even have my dance shoes that I use for my classes."

She now sees a psychologist once a week to deal with persistent anxiety born the night of the earthquake.

"I was in bed when I felt the first movement," she said. "I got up, went down the hall -- it was pitch dark -- and I was rocked side to side against the walls. All I could think of was to get Penny, who was on the couch, and get out. The doors were stuck, so I went out the window, crawling through holding Penny." Her entire home had been moved nearly 3 feet off its foundation.

"This has really set me back a lot," Grant said. "My temper is up and patience is down. I'm getting better, and I'm being told in therapy that these flashbacks will go away."

In mid-November, Grant received a check from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that will help with her move back in to the Napa Valley Mobile Home Park. Once there, she plans to return to volunteering at Queen's Valley Hospital. She looks forward to putting on her dancing shoes again.

"I have an hour activity with seniors where I play music -- Elvis, of course -- and get them to move," she said. "I also do crafts and make dolls and quilted purses that I bring to shows to sell. I've always worked, and still want to work."

She has other plans as well. "I've been helped by so many," she said. "I want to help other people. There are people I know who aren't getting help. I have a car, and I can drive. I am getting through this."

The experience is another life lesson.

"It teaches how life as you know it is short and you should love every day and thank God for every day," Grant said. "Life is so precious. When you get older, you look back at what you could've done. We are dealing with a fast world out there. What if there was no tomorrow? Slow down and help each other."

Julian Guthrie is a Bay Area writer.

*--

SEASON OF SHARING IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY

The holiday season is here and donors are anticipating sharing gifts with those who are less fortunate. When it comes down to having a sense of charity, look no further than The Chronicle's Season of Sharing, now in its 28th year of service.

The program provides funds for families around the Bay Area, making sure the donations go directly to those in need. Since 1986, the Season of Sharing program has raised more than $98 million, helping thousands of families in the process.

Beginning on Thanksgiving and continuing into the new year, The Chronicle will profile a number of Season of Sharing beneficiaries. Last year, the program raised $7.2 million.

The Season of Sharing is not just about the money. It serves a greater purpose for those struggling to find work, dealing with homelessness and sudden illness. The program offers a one-time assist for families who are struggling to paying for rent, transportation to work, or medical finances for a disabled loved one.

All of the money raised will go directly to the families. Program expenses are covered by the Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Fund and The San Francisco Chronicle. Services are provided to people living all across the Bay Area.

Serving around 4,500 families annually, 85 percent of the donations are used for individual grants for housing assistance and emergency family needs. The remaining 15 percent goes to local food banks.

During the holiday season, it's important to remember that the remarkable wave of prosperity in this region has not been shared by all families. Many are struggling, and need our help. Season of Sharing offers one such opportunity to define and enrich our sense of community. Learn more about how you can help at http://seasonofsharing.org/.

(c)2014 the San Francisco Chronicle

Visit the San Francisco Chronicle at www.sfgate.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

(c) San Francisco Chronicle