May 11, 2020 | Giving, healthy eating, Partners, Uncategorized
Arizona Complete Health and Diana Gregory Outreach Services Aid Seniors During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Arizona Complete Health (AzCH), in partnership with Diana Gregory Outreach Services (DGOS), is sponsoring a week’s supply of pre-bagged fresh fruits and vegetables to targeted affordable housing facilities for 500 seniors and grandparents raising grandchildren from April 21 – May 15. This quick action has been the result of Governor Doug Ducey’s recognizing that farmers’ markets are an essential service to remain operational to ensure food access for all—especially to seniors who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Seniors are excited to receive the fresh fruits and vegetables and appreciate not being forgotten during the pandemic.
The goal of DGOS is to continue to raise emergency funds to support 3,000 seniors through the end of June. This particular population are in the highest risk, immune-compromised group most susceptible to the COVID-19 outbreak in Maricopa County. Without emergency services, they will remain in isolation, primarily living in food deserts and without fresh produce. “Calls for our services continue, confirming an increased demand. We are grateful for the support from Arizona Complete Health and other sponsors,” commented founder, Diana Gregory.
Since 2009, Diana Gregory Outreach Services (DGOS), a 501( c)(3) has provided seniors, grandchildren in their care and veterans with regular Farmer’s Markets to ensure they have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and nutrition and wellness education. DGOS serves over 8,000 seniors and veterans annually.
For more information about Diana Gregory Outreach Services – www.dianagregory.com
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Oct 11, 2015 | event, events, fundraiser, Giving, seniors, Sponsors
Hundreds of community supporters filled the ballroom of the Arizona Biltmore Resort to honor and celebrate individuals who are thriving in their twilight years. The Fourth Annual Senior Awards were held on Friday, Sept. 25. 
Susan Casper, Host of Sonoran Living Live, ABC15 was the emcee. Gregory’s Fresh Market presents this annual event because the holidays can be a lonely time for some seniors. Proceeds from the luncheon provide bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to over 2,000 seniors during the holidays. This year’s sponsors were presenting sponsor ONECare by Care1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc., Southwest Airlines, Walgreens, Southwest Gas, Cox, Henkel, Arizona Foundation for Women, Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Majerle’s Sports Grill and the Arizona Informant.
“All of our honorees have blazed trails and have truly transformed lives through their service to others,” said Diana Gregory, founder of Gregory’s Fresh Market and the annual Senior Awards program. “By gracing us with their presence and their stories, they delight and inspire us all over again – transcending time, space and generations.” “Thank you to everyone that contributed to making the event successful.”
This year, four centenarians were celebrated. They were Clara Bloom (100), Hilda Jones (102), Vicky Moe (103) and supercentenarian and author Bernando LaPallo (114).
The Senior Volunteer Award is given to those individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and devote time and energy to improve the quality of life for others. This year’s recipients were James Soudriette and Helen Lou Woody.
Lester Strong, Vice President of External Affairs and Experience Corps spoke about the importance of the program. Experience Corps is a program of AARP Foundation which tutors and mentors elementary school children (K-3) who struggle with reading by utilizing the skills and experiences of adults 50 and over. Experience Corps serves 32,000 students in 23 cities. Strong received the Community Collaboration Award.
Senior Coordinator Awards were presented to Amy McWilliams, Gabriela Razo and Brenda Taylor. This award recognizes the honorees’ excellent work in meeting the social service needs of seniors and assisting them with maintaining their independence as long as possible.
The following awards were nominated by leaders in the community based on alignment with Gregory’s Fresh Market mission and selected by a panel of judges.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Dr. Pearl Tang. Dr. Tang is a leader, advocate and champion for women and children’s health and welfare. She participates in many programs and carries on the legacy of her late husband, the Honorable Judge Thomas Tang of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Dick Gregory Humanitarian Award was given to the Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. The Tuskegee Airmen had a crucial role in demolishing the barriers to progress for all minorities in America. The chapter carries on the legacy through many local and national community programs.
The Outstanding Fitness Award was presented to Tao Porchon-Lynch. At 97, she is the oldest yoga teacher by Guinness World Records. She is also a ballroom dancer and activist. Tao is a living advertisement for how to tap into our human potential. She is unique in her ability to overcome the effects of aging by controlling her body and mind in harmony with Yoga’s principles.
Each year, Gregory’s Fresh Market enriches the lives of more than 6,000 Arizona seniors through its on-site farmers market program, nutrition education, delivery of fresh produce for health and wellness workshops, and provides the gift of health and nutrition during the holidays where seniors receive bags of fresh fruits and vegetables. Gregory’s Fresh Market is a division of Diana Gregory Outreach Services.
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Feb 16, 2015 | event, fundraiser, Giving
The Salt River Project’s “African American Cultural Committee” has been gracious in its support for the work that we do in the Greater Phoenix community. This year, Gregory’s Fresh Market was the benefit recipient of the 9th Annual Evening of Fun, Music & Culture. All proceeds will support outreach programs for seniors in the Greater Phoenix valley.
Thanks to SRP AACC and all who attended and contributed to the success of the event.
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Sep 26, 2014 | Fresh Foods, Giving, healthy eating, Independent Living, seniors
Yudi Cesar Artis
Yudi Cesar has been the site manager at Broadway Terrace for more than four years. The Service Coordinator role is one of her many roles.
Yudi comments, “being a part of a non-profit organization that provides safe, secure, and affordable housing to seniors is one of the most important works I have done. The population of seniors we serve would otherwise be homeless without programs like the Section 8/202 program currently in place at Broadway Terrace. It makes possible for those persons of extremely low income to afford a quality home and remain independent for as long as it may be possible before transitioning to next levels of care. This extension is made possible through partnerships with other organizations like Gregory’s Fresh Market, which brings high quality items to the hands of those mobility impaired seniors who are unable to secure or afford transportation.” Yudi, your hard work over the last 4 years is appreciated.
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Sep 23, 2014 | Fresh Foods, Giving, healthy eating, Independent Living
Debbie Gallacher
From the time Debbie Gallacher acquired her degree in Sociology, Debbie Gallacher knew she was destined for community and public service. Over the past 15 years, she has fulfilled her destiny. She has worked in Suicide Prevention, has been a substance abuse counselor and worked in food pantry management. For the past five years, she has served 94 residents as a service coordinator for Biltmore Properties. Her activities there have included: coordinating visits by Mayo Clinic student nurses, organizing community Christmas parties for residents, and organizing Brown Bag educational lunches and various food programs including visits from Gregory Fresh Market. Debbie says, “Gregory’s Fresh Farmers Market helps the 94 residents of the Arizona Retirement Homes by delivering the freshest and best quality produce to seniors who are not able to get out. The produce keeps for many days longer than store bought produce saving the residents money because they can use all the produce without any waste. The produce helps the seniors stay healthier than they would without it. It also saves the seniors money by not needing a cab to get to and from the store.”
Debbie’s other projects include: working to add a bus stop closer to Biltmore and soliciting local support to purchase a van to transport her residents to and from the Tempe Adult Community Center. A few of her major accomplishments include: helping 50 residents gain financial assistance on their utility bills and helping her residents give back to the community by utilizing time, effort, and skill to quilt blankets and knit hats for area hospices and shelters. Her team also sponsors holiday toy drives and cards for local school children.
Debbie Gallacher takes great pride in her accomplishments and helping to restore seniors a sense of independence and pride in the seniors. In this and other ways, she is the consummate social worker, giving back in service to our community. Congratulations on receiving the Advocacy award. Thank you Debbie Gallacher for your service to our seniors and to our community.
Tickets are available at a donation of $90 each at: http://dgosf3awards.eventbrite.com/
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