Rocktober At The Senior Center

Donna Smallwood's family: son-in-law John, daughter Sherri, grandaughter McKenna and grandson Bobby

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The Donna Smallwood Activities Center has something to offer everyone ages 55 and older. We are calling this month "rocktober" because we are a rocking senior activities center with over 100 people coming here daily. Please stop on in and join the fun!

Last month, we celebrated our 57th anniversary and were delighted to have members of Donna Smallwood’s family as honored guests. As you know, our center is named after our founder Donna Smallwood. We had the lobby wall repainted and Donna’s photo centered on the wall. We announced the new sign coming to honor Donna Smallwood’s legacy. It will read:

Donna Smallwood Activities Center

In 1965, our founder Donna Smallwood began her career with the Parma Senior Center as a Jaycee wives volunteer for senior activities.

She became the first center Director in 1968 and obtained grants to begin transportation services, homebound and hospital meal delivery, as well as daily meals provided here at our center.

In 1984, Donna had the foresight to create a nonprofit Parma Commission on Aging (PCOA), our service, programming, and fundraising partner.

Donna Smallwood retired in 2003 and this senior center
was named in her honor on June 2, 2008.

“Our roots are deep and the seeds we plant
will continue to bloom and grow.”

Many of our services continue to this day because of Donna Smallwood and her protégé JoAnn Mason. We continue to build upon the foundation they began and are excited to provide new and exciting programs to our members.

Our October programs include local Poet, former broadcaster and Communications Director for our great city Jack Marschall, who will be reading from his new book of poetry “From the Heart.” Nature Pam will be back to talk about Zion National Park. New entertainers will be here, including Escape for Seniors who will be performing “Autumn Leaves” with cider and donuts for all. Our Halloween dance (costumes optional but oh so much fun) will include a DJ.

Our Human Service Specialist, Kathryn Karney-Davidson, will also be getting ready to help our members with Medicare enrollment. We have a pinecone wreath craft, Coffee with Cox, the return of Show-and-Tell, a movie next door at CCPL Parma-Powers, and Parma Area Fine Arts Council (PAFAC) classes.

One of our most active community partners is Dedicated Senior Medical Center. They are a one-stop doctor’s office designed especially for seniors and they are committed to providing personalized care. They currently accept Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield. Cigna Preferred Medicare, Devoted Health, and Humana. We will be visiting their facility so anyone interested in joining us or interested in more information should give us a call or stop in to register.

Keep reading our newsletter and checking into our website. We also have a Facebook Group: Donna Smallwood Activities Center and Office on Aging so join to follow us! We are open Monday-Friday from 7:30am-3pm. You are ALWAYS welcome here so stop in anytime or if we can help you, give us a call at 440-885-8800.