Sep 22, 2014 | Giving, Independent Living
Joe Montagna
The service coordinator award recognizes the excellent work in meeting the social service needs of seniors and assisting them with maintaining their independence as long as possible. A service coordinator is a highly trained professional who provides supportive services to apartment communities that provide services to elderly and disabled adult residents that assists them in maintaining their independence as long as possible. These support services include:
- Health care coordination
- Benefits/entitlements/insurance services
- Meals
- Home management
- Monitoring services
The first Advocacy award recipient is Joe Montagna, founder and President of the Arizona Chapter of the American Association of Service Coordinators.
Imagine an elder having trouble with a Medicare payment or a leaky faucet. As a service coordinator, Joe Montagna is there to help. But that describes only a part of his duties. It’s the human element that is also important and, as a former psychology major, it is one that Joe knows extremely well. After three years at National Church Residences, here are a few examples of how Joe assists the 100 residents in three complexes. If you don’t have a car and need to shop for food and supplies, Joe helps through the mobile food drives he sponsors to bring you food and household supplies. If you want to get on the Internet to communicate with family and friends, Joe is working on building a computer lab in your building and bringing in volunteers to help train you on the use of a computer. No way to get to your doctor’s appointment? Joe is working on a transportation system that will provide on-demand transportation for doctor’s appointments, shopping and dining.
Residents of National Church Residences are pleased to know that Joe is a volunteer on three local community boards and when he sees something that is needed by one of his complexes, he can spring into action and write a grant request to a local foundation or community organization.
A recent HUD report revealed that service coordinators contribute greatly to the lives of their residents by enabling them to live independently for a longer period of time versus facilities without service coordinators. Mr. Montagna, today we honor your commitment and dedication to the residents of National Church Residences. Thank You.
Tickets are available at a donation of $90 each at: http://dgosf3awards.eventbrite.com/
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Aug 19, 2014 | Fresh Foods, Giving, Health Eating
At 93, Dr. Gladys Taylor McGarey is internationally recognized as the Mother of Holistic Medicine. Dr. Gladys, as she is affectionately known, is board certified in Holistic and Integrated Medicine. Born in India to medical missionaries, she is internationally known for her pioneering work in holistic medicine, natural birthing and the physician-patient partnership.
Dr. Gladys held a family practice for more than sixty years. She is the co-founder of the American Holistic Medical Association, as well as 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. Dr. Gladys is a pioneer. Her efforts worldwide continue to receive international acclaim. Dr. Gladys has written and lectured extensively. She is the author of four books, “The Physician Within You,” “Born to Live,” “Living Medicine,” and “The World Needs Old Ladies.” She continues to write numerous articles for health publications, both as a columnist and feature writer. Her public speaking career bridges four decades during which she has shared the podium with Andrew Weil, Depoch Chopra, Wayne Dwyer, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, and other notables who became her associates in the American Holistic Medical Association, which Dr. Gladys had co-founded in 1977.
Dr. Gladys Taylor McGarey’s work lives on through The Foundation for Living Medicine (formerly, The Gladys Taylor McGarey Medical Foundation), which has helped to expand the knowledge and application of holistic principles through scientific research and education. Dr. Gladys and the Foundation are leading the charge to effect the paradigm shift in medicine that changes the current disease model to one that focuses on the individual and the wholeness of life.
On Friday, September 26, we salute Dr. Gladys for her accomplishments at the 3rd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon. Have you purchased your tickets? Click here to purchase tickets for the 3rd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon and join us in honoring Dr. Gladys and other unsung heroes. Thank you.
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Jan 15, 2014 | Giving, holiday food program
Holiday Food Drive for Seniors Expands by 50%
Gregory’s Fresh Market (GFM), a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the nutritional health and well-being of seniors, hosted its third annual holiday food program for seniors at 15 locations in the Greater Phoenix Area from November 11 to December 23. For the third consecutive year, the organization announced another milestone in its nutritional food giveaway program for seniors.
“We’re very grateful to ONECare by Care1st Health Plan of Arizona for their support as presenting sponsor for the GFM seniors holiday food drive program,” said Diana Gregory, president of Gregory’s Fresh Market. “They started by sponsoring our annual Senior Awards luncheon in October, which raised funds that allowed us to expand the food program this year to 15 locations. As a result, we delivered packages of fresh fruits and vegetables to 1,200 seniors, a 50% increase over last year.”
Studies conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and other health care organizations document the nutritional benefits of eating recommended daily amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. Beneficiaries of the GFM food drive program received packages filled with zucchini squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, oranges, apples, bananas, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and other items. Many senior citizens are nutritionally at risk because they don’t consume enough fresh produce.
In addition to ONECare, other sponsors who supported the annual GFM Awards Luncheon and holiday food program include Walgreens, Southwest Gas Corporation, Southwest Airlines, Cox Communications, Majerle’s Sports Grill, Girl Scouts, ArizonaCactus-Pine, SRP African American Cultural Committee, and the Arizona Informant.
“We thank all of our sponsors and individual supporters, who so generously partner with us to expand healthy eating options to more seniors in the Greater Phoenix area,” said Ms. Gregory.
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Dec 16, 2013 | Fresh Foods, Giving, Health Eating, healthy eating
Nonprofit collaboration between Gregory’s Fresh Market and 100 Black Men strengthen programs and give more to seniors at Tanner Gardens during the holidays
Prior to the collaboration, GFM and 100 Black Men had separate holiday programs for seniors on different days during the month of December. As a result of uniting and combing the resources for the second year, our programs are stronger. The 80 youth attending experience giving and serving seniors during the holidays. This intergenerational program brings generations and cultures together and fosters a sense of community and camaraderie. At the conclusion of the program, the youth distribute gifts to seniors provided by Walmart, bags of fresh produce provided by Gregory’s Fresh Market and serve the seniors during lunch, courtesy of Carrabbas Restaurant.
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Oct 2, 2013 | Giving, Independent Living, seniors
Honoring Centenarian Award Recipient, Ms. Hilda Jones, Tanner Terrace Apartments
There is nothing to fear about getting old, only more time to celebrate. When I talk to people about living to be 100 or longer, the first response I receive is, I don’t want to live that long. We as a nation are put off by the aging process and look to growing old as something to fear rather than celebrate.
Ms. Hilda Jones
At Gregory’s Fresh Market, we cherish and celebrate our seniors and centenarians. We assist in providing for them an important place in our communities, thus helping to break the stigma of aging. This is why we started the Centenarian Club and honor our centenarians and seniors at the senior awards luncheon.
The GFM Centenarian Club is a group of 6 distinguished centenarians whom we have identified at senior locations serviced by GFM. They receive fresh produce on a monthly basis, quarterly gift cards from retail stores and access to all GFM events.
Ms. Hilda Jones, centenarian will be honored at the 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon. She personifies life, vitality, strength and courage. Her greatest strength is that of her mother. Her greatest pillars are faith in God and the power of forgiveness. She enjoys working on cross word puzzles.
Prior to retiring, she was an entrepreneur and a dressmaker. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cosby were two of her clients. She has one son, Matthew who is 82 years old.
This year at the 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon, we honor and recognize the life and accomplishments of Ms. Hilda Jones, a gracious lady.
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Aug 13, 2013 | Fresh Foods, Giving
Tanner Terrace residents line up for blood pressure screening.
Over 300 seniors will receive complimentary fruits and vegetables donated by Walgreens through Gregory’s Fresh Market, as an avenue to promote living well and eating well. The Walgreens Senior Outreach Health and Wellness Series Part 2 continues through September. Senior housing facilities visited to date are Beatitudes Campus, Pine Towers, Westward Ho and Tanner Terrace.
Walgreen’s team of trained pharmacists will visit each location to provide blood pressure screenings, answer questions relating to prescriptions, and share tips on how to live well. In addition, seniors will enjoy food and juicing demonstrations presented by nutritionists on how to easily prepare and enjoy the donated fruits and vegetables to receive the maximum nutritional value. Because of a new collaboration with the University of Arizona Nutrition Network, this addition to the program has made it possible for seniors to receive healthy nutrition tips, education and recipes. The team of health professionals will visit Washington Manor on Tuesday, August 20 at 2 p.m.
“Health and wellness are the keys to living a full life”, Walgreens Community Affairs Director John Gremer explains. “We are honored to continue the Senior Outreach Health and Wellness Series Part 2, in partnership with Gregory’s Fresh Market. Seniors deserve to have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables. We are proud to help make this possible through community programs such as GFM.”
Diana Gregory, President and CEO of GFMP commented, “Thanks to Walgreens, many seniors that don’t have transportation to travel for fresh fruits and vegetables will have the fresh produce delivered where they live and receive valuable information on nutrition and prescription medication. Fresh produce is extremely beneficial to help manage common health challenges such as hypertension, diabetes, heart conditions, high cholesterol, digestive issues, obesity and many more. The lives of many seniors will be impacted by Walgreen’s sponsoring this program.”
The Walgreens Senior Outreach Health and Wellness Series Part 2 began in June and will run through September.
ABOUT DIANA GREGORY OUTREACH SERVICES FOUNDATION
Gregory’s Fresh Market is a division of Diana Gregory Outreach Services Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides programs in health, nutrition, and education. The mission is to enrich lives through providing on-site farmers markets for seniors and nutrition education.
ABOUT WALGREENS
As the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2012 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to become America’s first choice for health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 8,096 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
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