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.
Gregory’s Fresh Market’s 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon was a huge success. We are especially grateful to Susan Casper, Host of ABC15 Sonoran Living Live, Phoenix and Robert Ferguson, creator of the Diet Free Life System for their support in hosting this years program. The luncheon’s focus continues to be on our unsung heroes and Resident Service Coordinators, who have as their passion the care and needs of our senior citizens.
As a result of the funds raised at this year’s luncheon, Diana Gregory Outreach Service Foundation and Gregory’s Fresh Market will be providing over 1,000 free bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to senior citizens throughout the communities that we serve. If you would like more information about Gregory’s Fresh Market or would like to know how you can sponsor a bag of fresh produce for seniors during the holidays, please contact me by filling in the form below. Thank you. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking Donate
Honoring Volunteer Service Award Recipient, Louvie Gose
Manistee Manor Apartments
Research shows that seniors who volunteer enjoy better health, are able to make and grow more friendships, are able to stay active by becoming involved in the community and learn new skills.
Louvie Gose
Meet Louvie, who lends a helping hand and a helping heart. Resident’s depend on Louvie and she always has a listening ear.
Louvie’s volunteerism began a number of years ago. She sews pillows for heart patients at Banner Thunderbird Hospital ER. She sews Back to School shorts and shirts for boys, dresses for girls, is active in the Resident’s Council, cooks and plans meals for special events, shopped and prepared a three course lunch for 24-30 residents for three years, made aprons for the servers, upholstered small stools and chairs for residents, does alterations and sewing for residents clothing, makes walker bags, cart covers, bingo bags, tote bags, covers for residents plastic pass cards, bakes two sheet cakes and serves ice cream to the residents to honor their birthdays once a month.
In addition to assisting Manistee residents, Louvie assisted The Stratford Assisted Living facility with a facelift. She took all of her sewing supplies to the facility and sewed on site making the needed alterations to improve the facility.
We salute Louvie for being a bright and shining star and touching many lives.
Honoring Fran Watson, Service Coordinator, Westward Ho
Fran Watson, Westward Ho
Fran has been in the Service Coordinator field over twenty years, twelve of which have been at Westward Ho and will be honored at the 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon.
Fran enjoys providing solutions to the residents for the little things that we take for granted, i.e. helping seniors with obtaining dentures at a price that they can afford, free cell phones, and services provided by insurance companies, just to name a few.
Fran comments, “I love the smiles on the residents face when I have helped them solve a problem.” “Bringing in services and vendors like Gregory’s Fresh Market to improve the quality of life, is rewarding for me.”
We salute Fran for her commitment to making a difference in the lives of seniors.
Senior Awards Recipient of the Pioneer Award – Sonia Chavez, Service Coordinator, Pine Towers
Pine Towers is comprised of 156 units
Sonia has been employed with the City of Phoenix for 8 years, and worked as the Service Coordinator for Pine Towers for over 3 years.
Sonia comments, “I learn something new every day from working with seniors.” “I have learned to embrace the best and let go of the rest. I enjoy seeing the seniors smile and laugh. I think knowing that I am part of an individual’s last year’s of life makes my job different from my previous positions. I now know how precious each day of life is. I have learned how hard it is to say good-bye to those you care about.”
I try to live my life by this quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Senior Awards Recipient of the Volunteer Service Award – Laurentius “Renny” Zegers – Senior Resident, Phoenix Manor
Laurentius “Renny” Zegers
Renny was born in Mastricht, The Netherlands and came to the US in 1963 and couldn’t wait to become a citizen in 1969. He has lived at Phoenix Manor since November 2005. For the past 4 years he has been the activity organizer for over 10+ activities each month. He is also in charge of monthly meetings for the residents. Many of the activities are social, some are educational and some are designed to give back to the community. One example of giving back is the Halloween activity. Renny commented, “Every year we collect Halloween candy for the children in our neighborhood. It is very rewarding when the parents and grandparents tell you that 40-45 years ago they use to come to Phoenix Manor to trick or treat for candy and have made it a tradition for their kids and grandkids.”
Cheryl Lang, Property Manager for Phoenix Manor commented, “Renny is the type of resident volunteer that will help out with anything you ask of him. Most of the time, you don’t have to ask, he just knows.”
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.
