As we begin a new year in earnest, I would like to recap 2014 to build upon these experiences and achievements to reach even greater heights for 2015. Thanks to the countless volunteers, sponsors, supporters, Service Coordinators, Celebrated Seniors and all of the unheralded but vital part of the Gregory fresh Market team. We salute you. Thank you.
Gregory’s Fresh Market (GFM) is a division of Diana Gregory Outreach Services. It provides Arizona’s seniors with on-site farmers markets to further the nutrition, education and fitness of this critical yet often neglected segment of our population. In the month of December alone, Gregory’s Fresh Market provided free bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to more than 2,000 seniors in Arizona’s high-need areas. The seniors were very appreciative of their early Christmas presents. For the fourth year, GFM achieved another milestone in its holiday food drive program for seniors. We expanded the Holiday Food Drive for seniors by 67%.
We thank Living Spirit, shown in the photo with Diana Gregory, for donating their talents to provide entertainment and joy by singing Christmas carols with the seniors at Maryvale Parkway Terrace senior apartments. Living Spirit is a group of music ministers devoted to performing spirit filled music to a wide variety of audiences.
We’re very grateful to ONECare by Care1st Health Plan of Arizona, Southwest Airlines and Walgreens for their support as Presenting sponsors for the GFM senior holiday food drive program. Funds raised from the Third Annual Senior Awards program in September 2014 made it possible for GFM to expand the food program to 30 locations. Young or old, the joy of the Christmas season is infectious.
During other months of the year, we consistently delivered affordable superior quality fresh fruits and vegetables monthly to the senior citizen complexes we serve. We also participated in health fairs, nutrition, health and exercise workshops to further advance the health and well-being of our seniors, and provided the farmers market for Senior Days at Walgreens.
In September, we held our Third Annual Senior Awards luncheon where we honored and celebrated the achievements of some extraordinary individuals such as Mr. Calvin Good, recipient of the Dick Gregory Humanitarian Award. Mr. Goode served eleven consecutive terms from 1972 to 1994 as a member of the Phoenix City Council, longer than any other person ever. He dedicated his life to promoting education and the advancement of civil rights. He is an advocate for bringing affordable housing options to seniors.
We also recognized Guinness World Record holder and Baltimore, MD native, Ernestine Shepherd as the recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Fitness Award. Our organization encourages seniors to exercise along with eating healthy, which is an Ernestine Shepherd mantra. In her Baltimore community, Mrs. Shepherd leads exercise classes at the Union Memorial United Methodist Church, and works as a personal trainer in her community. She has appeared on Dr. Oz and the Oprah Winfrey show. Ernestine or “Ernie”, as she is affectionately known, is the type of role model that inspires audiences of all ages. Imagine the audience reaction when in the middle of her acceptance speech Ernie took off her warm-up jacket, got on the floor for a series of one-arm push-ups.
Our third award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Dr. Gladys McGarey. Dr. McGarey is the internationally recognized Mother of Holistic Medicine. She is board certified in Holistic and Integrated Medicine and ran a family practice for more than sixty years. She is the co-founder of the American Holistic Medical Association and the co-founder of the Academy of Parapsychology and Medicine. She was the first to utilize acupuncture in the U.S. and trained other physicians how to use it. The Holistic movement of today owns Dr. McGarey recognition to this tremendous contribution to health and wellness.
Save the date for the Fourth Annual Senior Awards Luncheon on Friday, September 25 at The Ritz-Carlton Phoenix. GFM is celebrating our 5th year anniversary and have many exciting plans.
Sincerely,
Diana Gregory