Volunteer of the Month
Archives

October 2021
Don Harper

Photo of Don Harper

This month we’d like to shine the light on Don Harper is one of our longtime Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) drivers. Don has been a member for about 7 ½ years, and has been driving for 5 ½ years. During that time he has become one of our go-to drivers driving multiple times a week, and sometimes several trips in one day. He first heard about the center from his mother-in-law, who is a Wii Bowler. She got him a membership and he came and joined the Wii Bowling league. He then remembered then Outreach Director, Holly Andrade, talking about TAP and how they needed drivers. He gave it a test drive, enjoyed it and has been doing it ever since. He loves driving, and loves the people. He thinks of this as his job, but a job he enjoys. The clients love him too and has clients who ask for him. Originally from Fort Worth, TX, his mom brought him out here when he was two. He inched his way over from Blythe, to Beaumont, to Highland. We are thankful that his travels brought him closer to us. Thanks Don for driving that extra mile for us!

Featured Class

Creative Writing
Date: September 16, 2021
Time: 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Length: 8 Weeks
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Group Led
Location: Game Room
Description: Don’t be ‘a writer’. Be writing. - William Faulkner The Creative Writing, or Writing for Fun class, is our only student led classes. The class brings in assigned projects and presents them to the class. The class then gives helpful feedback and discussion. Styles of writing varies from class to class, such as a memoir, humor, essays, poetry, etc. You will write about what you know, but if the assignment doesn’t please you. Write something else. Classes are on Thursdays from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Sessions are 8 weeks in length, with classes held quarterly. Cost is only $8 for members and non-members.

Featured Activity

Aerobics
Time: Dailys 9:00 am
Cost: 1:00 per class members
      same non-members
Location: Exercise Room
Description: Just like the lemurs in Madagascar the people in our aerobics class like to move it. The class is held Monday through Friday from 9 - 10 am in the exercise room. The class is taught by two instructors. Julia Ragan leads on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays. Penny Holt takes the reigns on Mondays and Fridays. Both Julia and Penny were originally trained for Jazzercise and have adapted their exercies and classes for older adults. They teach on a circuit, starting out with a short warm up, then climbing or increasing the intensity for 35 minutes, before cooling down. They finish with chair aerobics focusing on arms, abs, and legs. In her Wednesday class, Julia tries to mix it up with different types of exercise such as Zumba or Bollyrobics (a mixture of Bollywood and aerobics). You can come to either or both instructors classes. Classes are only $1 per class and are open to all seniors. Just wear some comfortable clothes, and bring water and a sweat towel and get ready to move it.

Member Spotlite

This month we’d like everyone to meet Kathy Oakes. Kathy has been a member for nearly 10 years. She heard about our center when she went to the pool to check out the water aerobics at the YMCA. There she found out that you needed to be a member of our center to participate, so she immediately signed up.
As of right now she only does the water aerobics but she is looking for other activities after being cooped up at the house. So if you happen to see Kathy, make sure to say “Hi” and possibly suggest one of your favorite fun things to do here!