NASHVILLE, TN — May marks Older Americans Month and what better way to celebrate than with FiftyForward, the Nashville nonprofit that supports, champions, and enhances life for older adults and has been doing so for 66 years.
In honor of this anniversary, FiftyForward is hosting events in May that have a Route 66 theme. The celebrations begin on Saturday, May 7 with a “Get Your Kicks” Block Party and conclude with a marquee event, the FiftyForward Route 66 Gala on Thursday, May 26.
On Wednesday, May 11, the monthly Walk with a Doc in Centennial Park will be part of the Walk 66: FiftyForward Member Challenge. This effort, hosted by FiftyForward, encourages center members to join the monthly walk participants in Centennial Park. The hope is that the collective group will walk 66 miles in an afternoon. Walk with a Doc is an international wellness effort, held locally in conjunction with All of Us, a large research program from the National Institutes of Health. FiftyForward is honored to offer Walk with a Doc thanks to the efforts of Nashville’s Dr. Amy Price Neff, of Mindstream Integrative Medicine, who presents and walks with participants each month.
“We invite the community to join us as we celebrate and honor older adults,” said FiftyForward CEO Sallie Hussey. “Who doesn’t love the sentiment of Route 66 and all of its fun and nostalgia? We are honored to meet the needs of older adults in Middle Tennessee, and we are equally committed to celebrating and elevating their stories,” Hussey added.
Since the advent of COVID-19, FiftyForward has seen significant calls for help as isolation has become such a devastating consequence of the pandemic. FiftyForward Madison Station member Kate Joy put this into perspective at a recent gathering when she referenced the terrible isolation during COVID. She said, “Thank you to the staff and volunteers at the center who are here every day that make it worth continuing to live.”
Both 2020 and 2021 were especially tough on older adults and their family members. In 2021, FiftyForward conducted more than 8,200 wellness calls and held 114 front yard chats with members to combat social isolation and to check on center members. Through the FiftyForward Fresh meal delivery service more than 24,000 meals and safety checks were provided to older adults in our community who needed assistance.
Join FiftyForward to honor and celebrate Older Americans Month. To learn more about supporting these events, visit: www.fiftyforward.org/oam
May 7: “Get Your Kicks” Block Party: We begin the month with an outdoor event for all ages where guests can enjoy live music and learn dances popular in cities along Route 66. Each ticket includes a complimentary lunch provided by Donelson Café. Guests can also take advantage of themed photo opportunities, vendor booths, and more. The event will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., on the grounds of FiftyForward Donelson Station (108 Donelson Pike).
May 26: FiftyForward Route 66 Gala: To close the month, FiftyForward is hosting a gala at FiftyForward Martin Center, (960 Heritage Way Brentwood, TN). Beginning at 6 p.m., guests will be treated to an evening of dinner, music, and entertainment inspired by the historic sites of Route 66.
FiftyForward is grateful to the following top sponsors for their support: Bridgestone, Enchiridion Foundation, HCA Healthcare, Louie M. and Betty M. Phillips Foundation, Tennessee Relay Service and Tennessee CapTel, and Tivity.
