The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma is pleased to announce it has received a $4,000 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and its Services for Elderly iFund grant program. The grant will be used to assist in funding ballroom and line dancing classes at The Salvation Army’s senior centers, which will strengthen the physical and cognitive abilities of the senior participants.
“We are always looking for ways to keep our seniors active,” said Lisa Sydnor, senior programs manager at The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma. “We are so grateful the Oklahoma City Community Foundation chose our program. I know that this will bring such joy to our seniors.”
The grant will fund dance classes once a week at The Salvation Army’s senior centers with styles including the salsa, waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha and line dancing. At the end of the three to six month program, the seniors will come together for a dance recital where they can showcase their amazing talent.
The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma operates five senior centers throughout the Oklahoma City metro. The centers are open every weekday to seniors ages 55 and older. Seniors have the opportunity to socialize, enjoy lunch and participate in numerous activities that include Bible study, exercise classes, crafts, dancing and much more.
Approximately 139,000 Oklahomans receive assistance from The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. For more information on the programs and services at The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma, please visit www.salvationarmyokcac.org.
Founded in 1969, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation works with donors and organizations to create endowments that address needs and opportunities within the community. The Services for Elderly iFund grant program represents a compilation of contributions from donors who want to support grants to help keep senior citizens safe and living independently in their own homes. For more information on the iFund grant program, please visit www.ifundokc.org. For more information on the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, please visit www.occf.org.

April & May AARP Drivers Safety Classes Offered

Date/ Day/ Location/ Time/ Registration #/ Instructor

Apr 25/ Saturday/ Chandler/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 258-5002/ Brase          Thompson Insurance – 121 W. 10th St.
May 6/ Wednesday/ Mustang/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 376-1297/ Edwards Mustang Senior Center – 1201 N. Mustang Rd.
May 7/ Thursday/ Okla. City/ 9:30 am – 4 pm/ 951-2277/ Palinsky  Intergis 3rd Age Center – 5100 N. Brookline
May 8/ Friday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 951-2277/ Edwards S.W. Medical Center – 4200 S. Douglas, Suite B-10
May 9/ Saturday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 799-3130/ Palinsky  Brand Senior Center – 501 E. Main
May 12/ Tuesday/ Norman/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 440-8802/ Palinsky  Norman Regional Hospital – 901 N. Porter
May 12/Tuesday/ Yukon/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 350-7680/ Edwards Dale Robertson Center – 1200 Lakeshore Dr.
May 19/ Tuesday/ Midwest City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 691-4091/ Palinsky Rose State – Tom Steed Bldg. – 6191 Tinker Diagonal
The prices for the classes are:  $15 for AARP members and $20 for Non-AARP. Call John Palinsky, zone coordinator for the Oklahoma City area at 405-691-4091 or send mail to: johnpalinsky@sbcglobal.net

On April 24, 2015 the Trinity Redeemer Health Alliance will present a seminar for senior adults and their family members.  Some of the topics are: “Dementia and Memory Loss”, “Engaging the Mind and Body”, “Sexuality and Aging”, and “Low Impact Exercises”. These topics will be presented by professionals from the community.   The seminar will be held in the auditorium of the Oklahoma City-County Regional Wellness Campus located at 2600 NE 63rd Street in Oklahoma City (between NE Martin Luther King and I-35).  Health screenings will be available by OKC-County Health Department Community Liaisons.   Individuals can register on the day of the seminar beginning at 8:30 AM, the program will begin at 9:00 AM and will end at approximately 1:30 PM.  A light continental breakfast and heart healthy lunch will be served.  There is no cost to attend the seminar and pre-registration is not required. For additional information contact Norma Goff at normagoff06@gmail.com or at (405) 672-7345.

The Edmond Art Association Spring Art Show & Sale will be held Saturday, May 9th from 9:00am to 5:00pm at Spring Creek Plaza, 15th & Bryant in Edmond.
A variety of art will be ready for viewing and for purchase at this Outdoor Art Show. Come stroll the wide veranda style sidewalks of Spring Creek Plaza. The PUBLIC IS INVITED to this one day event. For more information visit: www.edmondart.org

St. Anthony started one of the first hospital volunteer leagues in Oklahoma City.  With a volunteen and adult program, sixty years later the volunteer department is still thriving, as men and women of all ages seek the opportunity to give back to their community.
“When I was a teenager I was a volunteen at St. Anthony, and I loved it.  I helped various departments with clerical duties, and visited with patients and family members,” said Martin Villafana, MSN, RN, Care Manager at St. Anthony Hospital.  “Looking back at my volunteen time, it ended up being a network of family I have never been exposed to.  A lot of the employees at St. Anthony saw me as a child in the halls, to now being an employee today.”
Villafana volunteered at St. Anthony during his teen years and later returned as an employee.  “St. Anthony helped me achieve my educational goals,” he stated.  While working at the hospital he continued his education, receiving a scholarship from St. Anthony as well as participating in the student reimbursement program.  Today Villafana has been with the hospital for ten years.
This month St. Anthony will be celebrating a family of volunteers that continues to grow.  From volunteens to volunteers, these are exceptional people who have made a difference by their mission to serve.
St. Anthony volunteers assist at the main campus in Midtown Oklahoma City, St. Anthony South, and all four of the St. Anthony Healthplex campuses.  If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity, please call 405-272-6266, or go to saintsok.com for more information.