By James Coburn, staff writer

Anita Bhandari, RN, and Reena Daniel, LPN, say their lives have been enriched by their nursing careers at Epworth Villa, located in Oklahoma City.
“We always strive to give the best care possible,” Daniel said.
Both women are charge nurses at Epworth on the skilled nursing unit, and both are furthering their education to advance their careers. They thrive on learning.
Daniel is working toward her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Oklahoma State University, while Bhandari is working toward becoming a nurse practitioner with a focus in gerontology.
Bhandari had already worked for one year as a CNA at Epworth Villa before becoming an RN. Helping seniors at Epworth is her purpose in life.
“That’s why I’m furthering my education,” she said.
Seven years ago, Bhandari began working at Epworth after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Wichita State University.
Daniel never thought she wanted to be a nurse even though all her family is in the medical field. However, her aspirations changed when she worked as a CNA at Mercy Hospital. She went to nursing school at Platt College where she earned her credentials to become an LPN. She joined the team at Epworth more than 10 years ago. (story continues below)

Today, Bhandari and Daniel arrive at work in the morning for their assignments. They make sure the certified medication aides and certified nurse aides are there. They know from their reports who among the residents needs some extra care.
The staff has a methodology of best practices to ensure that everybody is cared for according to each resident’s acuity level.
“I know I can go to anybody,” Bhandari said. “If I have any concerns — if I have anything I want to bring up to my administrator, she is very open to any of our ideas and she goes for it. It just feels like a big family. I’ve been here for so long. I had my bridal shower, my baby shower here and everything. We’re a community, we’re just bonded together, and we work well.”
This inviting sense of community transfers to all stages of residential care. Bhandari said it touches her heart to see people’s lives change from being independent to being more dependent on others.
“That change is very hard mentally and physically once you get into that age,” she said. “And for that change it just makes a big difference to have somebody there listening to you.”
The first encounters a nurse has with a patient is always important, Bhandari said. Getting to know a resident’s needs brings opportunities to learn how to motivate and encourage them during challenging times. Patients are assessed as individuals to tailor a personalized plan. Bhandari learns what sustains a person’s wellbeing. For some it’s being home with their pets. So, they will share photos and talk about what is dear to them.
In her own life Bhandari sets herself at ease by being with her 4-year-old daughter and family. Writing is relaxing for her, too. Her life is well balanced by being a nurse.
“I’ve just loved working here,” Bhandari said. “I know there are changes in leadership, rules, and protocols. Change is always difficult, but I’ve always loved working here. It’s a big part of my life. I’m very grateful for Epworth Villa.”
As with Bhandari, Daniel is mother as well. She is married with two children.
“So, pretty much right now, I’m pretty busy with working and taking care of the family and being in school,” Daniel said.
She loves to read and these days most of her reading comes from textbooks for learning.
“I love being a nurse, I wouldn’t want to do anything other than what I’m doing right now,” she continued.
Daniel is grateful for being a nurse in a skilled nursing unit, so she doesn’t visualize a nursing career in management. Her patients receiving skilled nursing care are generally there for a month, two weeks or possibly 100 days.
“I want to be on the floor where I can interact with patients and families. It’s what I enjoy doing,” she said. “I love when they get here, they are not able to do basic things and when they leave, they’re able to function on their own. When they leave, they always say thank you and they tell us how great we were. We have a lot of patients the come back because they love the care that we gave them. We love working here because it’s a great place to work and a great place for the residents. And, we really strive for these patients to be well taken care of, so when they leave here, they leave here happy.”
For more information visit: www.epworthvilla.org.

Oklahoman winner of the Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program

Kids across the country are earning a lot of “green” after being selected as the “Best in State” in the Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program. This year, nearly 200,000 third graders in the 48 contiguous states have gotten hands-on gardening experience growing colossal cabbages with one student in each state awarded a $1,000 scholarship towards education from Bonnie Plants, the largest grower of vegetable and herb plants in the U.S.
“We relaunched the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program in the spring as a safe, remote-friendly learning activity to inspire children of all backgrounds to grow a love of gardening,” said Mike Sutterer, President and CEO of Bonnie Plants. “After pausing the program last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re thrilled to once again see so many students were able to participate and learn the basics of gardening as well as life lessons like responsibility, self-confidence and accomplishment.”
At the beginning of the program, Bonnie sent each student a starter cabbage plant and the lessons needed to care for and nurture their plant every step of the way. Students took a photo with their cabbage when it was fully grown and submitted it for a chance to win the $1,000 scholarship. Winners were selected by Bonnie in collaboration with state departments of agriculture based on the student’s enthusiasm to participate and learn in addition to the size and overall appearance of their cabbage.
“It’s truly amazing to see firsthand how the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program is able to inspire a love of vegetable gardening in young people and grow our next generation of gardeners,” said Angela Thomas, Corporate Communications Manager at Bonnie Plants. “We’re proud of all of this year’s participants and would like to congratulate all of the winners whose hard work is paying off!”
Bonnie Plants launched the 3rd Grade Cabbage program in 1996, choosing cabbages because they were the first profitable crop the company sold. The cabbages utilized for the program are the O.S. Cross variety, which is known for producing giant, oversized heads of cabbage that can tip the scales at more than 40 pounds!
Getting involved in the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program is free. Fall registration for those who are located in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11 is now open. Teachers and parents can click here to register their class or student. Registration opens in January for the spring growing season.
A McCurtain, OK student just earned a lot of “green” after being selected as Oklahoma’s winner.
Kynlei was selected by Bonnie Plants in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry based on the student’s enthusiasm to participate and learn in addition to the size and overall appearance of their cabbage.
“It’s truly amazing to see firsthand how the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program is able to inspire a love of vegetable gardening in young people and grow our next generation of gardeners,” said Angela Thomas, Corporate Communications Manager at Bonnie Plants. “We’re proud of all of this year’s participants and would like to congratulate Cameron whose hard work is paying off!”
“The Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program is a wonderful way for teachers and parents to introduce children to agriculture through a hands-on, engaging and memorable learning experience,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur. “It was inspiring to see the impressive cabbages that all of the students in Oklahoma were able to grow and we’re confident this is just the beginning of a lifelong gardening journey for them!”
To see the 2020-21 winners as they come in and learn more about the 2022 contest, please visit: bonniecabbageprogram.com.

by Greg Schwem

The elves gathered around their home monitors at 2:40 p.m., per Santa’s emailed instructions. Unable to congregate in the main workshop or communicate face to face with their boss since COVID-19 struck the North Pole in March 2020, they wearily clicked the Zoom link Santa provided.
Soon, Santa’s grainy image appeared. The elves were perplexed. Normally Santa chose a holiday-themed background; there were hundreds to choose from since Mrs. Claus had installed a green screen in the garage housing Santa’s sleigh. But this time Santa sat at his kitchen table, a blank wall behind him. The table contained a legal pad and a half-consumed glass of eggnog.
“I come to you with not great news,” Santa began.
Yes, COVID-19 had caused supply chain issues, but the elves had pivoted and were still on track to produce the Marvel action figures, the Harry Potter Lego sets and the Jurassic World Super Colossal Tyrannosaurus rex toys that dotted kids’ online wish lists in 2021. Maybe the news involved the T. rex. It was no secret that Santa had added some “COVID pounds.” So, lugging dinosaurs down chimneys would be a tall order this Christmas Eve.
“This has been a very challenging year,” Santa continued.
“Well duh,” an elf responded, careful to first ensure his microphone was muted.
“The market has changed, and we have to change with it,” Santa said. “Some kids, particularly older ones, are opting for ‘experiences’ rather than toys. Try as we might, we can’t manufacture whale watching excursions and hot air balloon rides from the workshop.”
“That’s what gift cards are for,” another elf mumbled.
“Excuse me?” Santa said.
“Nothing, sir. That was my dog,” the elf replied.
“We are laying off about 15% of the workforce,” Santa said, removing his bifocals for emphasis. Audible gasps were heard, and a few elves responded with elf profanities, the most popular being, “Holy Snickerdoodle!”
“If you are on this call, you are part of the unlucky group,” Santa said.
His words hit the elves like the weight of a falling Christmas tree. How could Santa be so cruel? Hadn’t he learned anything from Better.com CEO Vishal Garg? On Dec. 1, the mortgage lending company’s founder terminated more than 900 staffers via Zoom. In his address, Garg said it was the “second time he had to do this.” The elves could never remember Santa doing anything similar and many had been the jolly man’s faithful helpers for upward of 300 years.
Garg’s video quickly went viral, forcing him to take time off, “effective immediately,” and putting him on numerous naughty lists for life. It didn’t take long for Santa’s address to experience a similar fate. CNN obtained a copy and, that night, Anderson Cooper conducted an EXCLUSIVE interview with fired elf Tinsel.
“I had to inform my wife and 37 kids,” Tinsel told Cooper. “We trusted Santa. Most of my kids were looking forward to the day they could join the workforce. Not anymore.”
“What are you going to do now?” Cooper asked.
“Not sure,” Tinsel replied. “There aren’t a lot of opportunities at the North Pole outside of toy making. But I’m putting my resume on LinkedIn tomorrow.”
The next day, rumors of a “toxic culture” in Santa’s workshop began to surface. One elf promised to produce emails of Santa calling the elves “lazy” and “not worth their weight in candy canes.” Lawyers stood at the ready, forcing Santa to issue a carefully crafted apology, courtesy of his marketing team.
“I failed to show the appropriate amount of appreciation and respect for all you have done,” the apology stated. “I shall try to do better. Until then, Merry Christmas.”
Santa’s offer of two month’s severance pay was generous but most elves reached for comment said they were meeting with financial advisers to discuss their futures.
Kids be warned; the Great Elf Retirement may soon be upon us.
(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books: “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com. Visit Greg on the web at www.gregschwem.com.
You’ve enjoyed reading, and laughing at, Greg Schwem’s monthly humor columns in Senior Living News. But did you know Greg is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian? And he loves to make audiences laugh about the joys, and frustrations, of growing older. Watch the clip and, if you’d like Greg to perform at your senior center or senior event, contact him through his website at www.gregschwem.com)

Emergency rooms are designed for true emergencies, yet they are often filled to capacity by patients with non-emergent needs. Those suffering from the common cold, the flu or a minor injury.
Many of these patients resort to the emergency room because they do not have a primary care physician, their physician does not have immediate appointments available, or their injury or illness occurred outside of normal business hours. It can be a frustrating situation for everyone involved.
INTEGRIS Health is constantly looking for ways to make access to medical care more convenient for patients. That’s why we are happy to announce that we will soon be opening three INTEGRIS Health Urgent Care centers in the metro, strategically located to offer the care you need closer to home.
These new facilities will be operated solely by INTEGRIS Health, meaning they will provide the same exceptional care you would expect at any INTEGRIS Health location. INTEGRIS Health Urgent Care will provide care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions. Providers will have access to lab services and imaging equipment to quickly diagnose and treat patients.
Each location will have two to three dedicated providers per site. Patients will see the same providers rather than a rotation of providers. These providers will have access to all INTEGRIS Health integrated medical records and will have access to the patient’s primary care and specialty care providers.
“These urgent care centers truly are an extension of our services. We’re reaching outside of the hospital and into the communities themselves,” says Timothy Pehrson, the president and chief executive officer of INTEGRIS Health. “Our goal is to meet people where they are and provide the right care, at the right time, in the right place. These urgent care facilities enhance our continuum of care.”
The first INTEGRIS Health Urgent Care center will be in Moore, located at 750 S.W. 19th Street, Suite A. This location will open to the public on Dec. 13. The two other facilities, one in north Oklahoma City at 2201 N.W. 150th Street, Suite 100 and the other in Norman at 1400 24th Ave. N.W., will open within the next six months.
Each location will be equipped to offer x-rays and lab work and conduct minor procedures. Any patient requiring a higher level of care will be seamlessly transitioned to a more acute setting in the INTEGRIS Health system.
The urgent care facilities will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week.
Patients can schedule an appointment online or add themselves to the list of expected patients by using the Get In Line feature on the INTEGRIS Health Urgent Care website. To learn more about the Moore location call 405-666- 9860 or click here: https://integrisok.com/locations/urgent-care/integris-health-urgent-care-moore

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn t4z@aol.com

There is no better way to travel and see more than on a cruise. Unpacking once, having an amenable home base for dining, education, entertainment and security are all additional cruise advantages. The ultimate cruise experience is river cruising, where there is never a dull visual moment. Whether moving slowly along picturesque landscapes or stopping at iconic locales to sample the best they have to offer, river cruising is a travel seekers delight. While we wait for safer and healthier traveling it’s never too early to explore travel opportunities for the Summer. And, it’s fun to imagine.
A summer cruise along the Danube and Rhine Rivers in central Europe was just such a joy aboard Viking Danube of Viking River Cruises. I cruised several years ago with this company through the canals and rivers of the Netherlands in the height of their tulip season, so I had expectations for this fifteen day Grand European Cruise. Many improvements had been made since that enjoyable cruise, and I can easily now see why Viking is the most awarded river cruise line.
The daily routine, while predictable, was never a bore. Starting off the day with an overwhelming come and go breakfast buffet, suited my non-morning personality perfectly. Then it was either preparing for an onshore morning tour (always included in the price of the cruise) or confirming an optional afternoon tour (which was always worth the price and effort for a full day of touring.) Viking rates their daily walking tours in relation to physical exertion, so passengers can choose the tour best suited for their abilities.
After the morning tour, we would return to the ship for beverage refreshments before lunch, which was served in the restaurant or in the lounge for a more casual light lunch. Cocktail hour had George playing away as all enjoyed exchanging tour experiences or just relaxing as the world glided by outside and peered through expansive windows. I must mention that Tibor and Danielle, efficiently and congenially executed cocktail requests, whether it was my usual or their ever-changing specialty of the day.
Soon Kurt, our program director, would join us for an over view of the next days events, and pass out administrative announcements. Off to dinner, where the presentation of 4 course cuisine was astounding. A selection of regional specialties were offered with an option of ordering a traditional steak, chicken or pasta alternative ~ wine always included. The elevator down to the restaurant is an added benefit for passengers wishing to by past the stairs. In my experience Viking River Cruises caters to its passengers, making all feel like VIPs. And with only 148 maximum passengers aboard the Viking Danube, this was easily accomplished.
After dinner it was either relaxing in the lounge, escaping to the library for solitude, planning your next day’s activities, viewing a destination oriented movie in your cabin, or going up on the sun deck to marvel at the ever changing scenery.
Highlights of my cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam included a night time river salute to the lit buildings and bridges of Budapest, to the exceptional Vienna Palace Concert of Mozart and of course the celebration of cruising by the castles of the Rhine valley.
The cruise seemed all too short as I had developed traveler relationships with the crew and fellow passengers, who once were strangers, but now compatriots. Through mutual travel experiences you naturally bond with fellow passengers, adding to the credit of river cruising. To paraphrase an old commercial, “Try it, you’ll like it.” I say, “Try river cruising, you’ll love it!”
While now the Viking Danube River Ship has been replaced, there are many new Viking ships along the same itinerary and routines.
For more information on Viking River Cruises and their special offers go to: www.vikingrivercruises.com

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
https://realtraveladventures.com/?s=terry+zinn
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Casen Hazlewood of Ponca City is only two years old, yet he has spent much of his young life in the hospital. Casen was born on May 6, 2019 at just 26 weeks gestation. His mother Kari Hazlewood recalls the difficult pregnancy. “Casen and his identical twin brother, Hudson, had issues from the very beginning. They were diagnosed early on with what’s called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, where one of the babies gets more blood and nutrients than the other. In our case, Hudson was the dominant twin leaving Casen malnourished.”
When the boys were born, each weighed barely over a pound. Hudson was seemingly healthy given his size, while Casen struggled to survive. “Casen is a A picture containing person Description automatically generatedfighter. He has been battling something since before he was even born,” says Kari. “He may be tiny but he’s as tough as they come.”
It was determined Casen had selective intrauterine growth restriction, a condition that occurs when there is unequal placental sharing which leads to suboptimal growth of one twin. Casen was noticeably smaller and more compromised than his brother.
Sadly and unexpectedly, Hudson developed an infection and passed away 12 days after birth. When Casen came down with the same infection his parents feared the worse, but Casen somehow pulled through – as he would time and time again.
Casen would spend the first 154 days of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit.
“He was born in May and we finally got to take him home in October 2019,” remembers his mom. “We were home for six days when he suddenly stopped breathing and we had to rush him back to the hospital. This would unfortunately become our routine.”
Kari says each time Casen gets a mild cold or runs even a low-grade fever, he undoubtedly ends up back in the hospital. “Since his lungs aren’t fully developed he has a lot of respiratory issues and goes downhill fast, so at the first sign of sickness we just start heading to INTEGRIS Children’s. They are like our second family. We have spent so much time there. They all treat Casen as if he is their own child.” Doctors are hopeful Casen will eventually outgrow his frequent hospital visits as his lungs continue to develop and mature.
The staff at the pediatric intensive care unit at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center held a bubble send-off for Casen at the end of his last hospitalization, signifying the 177 days he has spent in the PICU overtime. “We just love Kari and Donnie and the entire Hazlewood family and wanted to do something really special for them,” says Erica Liddell, a certified child life specialist at INTEGRIS Children’s. “In all, between the NICU and the PICU and the 14 surgeries he’s endured, Casen has spent almost an entire year in the hospital. That’s half of his little life. So, we wanted to celebrate him in a big way.”
The send-off, which also included big sis Brynlee, was just in time for the holidays. The Hazlewoods say their Christmas wish is to keep Casen healthy and at home. “As much as we love the folks at INTEGRIS Children’s and want them to continue to be a part of Casen’s life,” says Kari. “We are hoping to see them less often in the new year! We want to see them socially, not just when Casen is sick.”

As Nelson and Lola Cresente sit, holding hands they realize the special gift they’ve been given this year. The gift of life.
Nelson nearly lost a battle with COVID-19. When doctors at the hospital told Nelson and his wife that he needed to be put on a ventilator they refused. He had been battling COVID pneumonia, but they feared a ventilator would be the end. They chose, instead, to go home with hospice care, to enjoy what time he had left together.
“The doctor told me I was going to take him home to die,” Lola said.
Just weeks ago, he was home on hospice care. A BiPAP machine aided his breathing. Ashley Henson, a nurse practitioner with Valir PACE, handled some of Nelson’s care at home.
“We even helped them call a priest,” Henson said. “It was that dire.” Week after week, Nelson kept fighting back, doing what he could to regain strength.
“I’m a fighter, 100%,” he said.
During one trip to their home, Lola was explaining to Henson and a hospice nurse how a neighbor had stopped by the day before to pray over Nelson, specifically that his lungs would open. That’s when they witnessed what they all believe was a miracle.
“I listened to his lungs and his hospice nurse listened to his lungs. We looked at each other and were like, ‘We’re hearing air here. Air is moving,’” Henson said.
Lola was shocked.
“You know what I did. I cried. And he did too. And praised God for it,” Lola said.
From there, Nelson continued to make improvements. He was moved off hospice care and began at-home therapies through Valir PACE.
Now, just a few weeks later, he can once again leave his home. He’s no longer connected to the BiPAP machine, using a portable oxygen machine instead.
“I really think he’s a miracle,” Henson said. Henson said the Cresentes were both vaccinated and she does believe the vaccine also played a role in his story. “I think even though he was vaccinated and came close to death, I think that probably would have been an inevitable thing had he not been vaccinated,” Henson said.
One of the few things Nelson has not regained is his sense of taste. He said he is really looking forward to the day he can enjoy tasting the delicious meals his wife makes – especially a steak dinner.

By Nick Thomas

It’s a personal resolution I observe every January: celebrating the New Year with duck soup, animal crackers and, of course, the cocoanuts.
No, it’s not some strange private culinary ritual. It’s a tradition to welcome the New Year with some old-fashioned Hollywood madcap merriment by viewing several Marx Brothers films including, but not limited to, three of my favorites: “Duck Soup,” “Animal Crackers,” and “The Cocoanuts.”
And at some point this January, I’ll also enjoy the next episode of the “The Marx Brothers Council Podcast.” It’s a series of monthly podcasts co-hosted by three arts and entertainment veterans who are also noted authorities on the legendary 1930s/40s movie comedy team of Groucho, Harpo, Chico and, in their five early films, Zeppo Marx (see www.marxbrotherscouncilpodcast.com).
The podcast is an offshoot of the Marx Brothers Council Facebook group which evolved from Matthew Coniam’s blog, “The Marx Brothers Council of Great Britain” launched a dozen years ago, where Noah Diamond and Bob Gassel became regular contributors.
To date, some 40 episodes have aired. Each is generally led by one of the hosts with the others chiming in as the trio deep-dive into one of the films or some aspect of the Marx canon often joined by special guests. The hosts examine the films and lives of the Marx Brothers in astonishing academic detail but remain entertaining and amusing.
“I am just a big fan who often tries to hide my lack of expertise by making smart-ass remarks,” said Bob Gassel (on Twitter @bobgassel), a career video editor based in Fairfield, Conn., who is also tasked with recording, editing, and publishing the podcast.
While the brothers only appeared together in 13 movies from 1929 to 1949, dedicated fans throughout subsequent decades have helped maintain the comedy team’s popularity. So why their continuing appeal? It’s their absurd humor and dangerous manic energy, explains author Matthew Coniam from Bath, England, who published “The Annotated Marx Brothers” in 2015 (see http://marxcouncil.blogspot.com/.
“It’s low comedy for people with highbrow tastes,” claimed Coniam. “That kind of dexterous verbal humor, that’s very, very sophisticated yet shot through with a joyous foolishness.”
“Their motivation is joy,” added Noah Diamond, a writer and performer based in New York City (see www.noahdiamond.com). “Yes, they’re anarchic comedians but they’re not angry.”
“I’m just going to say I love how smart they actually are,” observed Gassel. “While some may see them as idiots, my perception is that in their best films they are just on a different wavelength than everyone else.”
As children, all three hosts discovered the Marx Brothers for the first time and they continue to share that enthusiasm with listeners. “I’m especially proud of the balance between the scholarly and the silly that we seem to maintain,” says Coniam, indicating the group’s Facebook membership is over 5,000. “We must be doing something right!”
With all past episodes archived on their website, the holiday season is a great time to check out the informative podcast fun. And while you’re at it, remember you can also enjoy “A Night at the Opera,” “A Day at the Races,” and even a “A Night in Casablanca” without ever leaving home.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Central Oklahoma announces it has received a $17,300 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and its Services for the Elderly iFund grant program. The grant will help fund its Provide-A-Ride senior transportation program and allow RSVP of Central Oklahoma to increase its level of service to older adults in Oklahoma County. Provide-A-Ride is a free medical transportation program for older adults who are no longer able to drive to doctor’s appointments. Caring volunteers pick up seniors at their front door, take them to their appointments, wait for them in the waiting room, and then safely return them home. Last year, even with the COVID-19 extended shutdown, our volunteers provided 1,470 medical rides to 133 low-income, older adults.
“It’s vital for us to help our elderly neighbors remain active, engaged, and healthy,” said Beth Patterson, RSVP of Central Oklahoma Executive Director. “For more than four decades, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation has been a strong community leader and financial supporter in improving the lives of older adults in our community. This grant will help RSVP continue to provide a critical service to some our community’s most vulnerable citizens.”
Since 1973, RSVP of Central Oklahoma has helped senior adults continue to live with purpose and meaning by connecting them with rewarding community volunteer opportunities, including RSVP’s Provide-A-Ride Senior Transportation Program, which started in 1994. The past two years, RSVP volunteers provided more than 95,000 service hours in the community at a $2.25 million value of service. RSVP is a partner of AmeriCorps Seniors and the United Way of Central Oklahoma. To learn more about the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, visit www.occf.org To learn more about RSVP of Central Oklahoma, visit www.rsvpokc.org.

Sailors help maintain America’s advantage at sea. This means they do not always get to celebrate holidays with their loved ones. An Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, native serving in the United States Navy will celebrate the holidays with their fellow sailors in Guam.
“I’ve always enjoyed Christmas time,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Crystal Smith. “I’d always be the first one to start decorating the tree and the first one to put on Christmas music. I would say that one of my favorite memories from the holidays would be when my dad and I would go to drive-thru Christmas light shows.”
Smith wants family back home to know they are missed this holiday season.
“I hope you enjoy this Christmas,” said Smith. “Please don’t worry about me not celebrating while out at sea because we are! There are ugly Christmas sweater contests, karaoke, Christmas card exchanges, white elephants and so much more going on. It is sad that I cannot be there, but please enjoy your Christmas. If you just put on ‘Baby, it’s Cold Outside,’ you can bet on me singing along a few thousand miles away.”
Smith serves as an operations specialist aboard USS Lake Champlain. As a member of the U.S. Navy, Smith, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance.
“To me, serving in the Navy means becoming the best version of myself for myself and for my country,” added Smith. “It’s a very prideful thing to be a part of.”