Education, Fellowship and fun for Those Over 50
Are you getting ready for retirement and wondering what you'll do with all that time on your hands? Are you already retired and looking for a new way to meet people? Or maybe you’re still working and simply want to find a group of people just like yourself – people who want to have fun, travel, or continue learning.
Any way you look at it, life is good when you’re 50 or over, and Freeman Advantage, Freeman's wellness program for older adults, can make it even better. We’re here to help you stay healthy, meet people and deal with issues that impact your life, like healthcare, medical bills, and safety.
To become a Freeman Advantage member, download the brochure and mail your completed membership form with a check for $20.
Benefits:
- Low-cost health screenings
- Discounts at:
- QuickMeds Pharmacy™
- Cafeterias at all Freeman locations
- Freeman Hearing Center
- Freeman Health Essentials
- Pink Door Boutique®
- Exercise and walking programs
- Advantage Senior Bowling League in partnership with Carl Richards Bowling
- Educational seminars
- Discussions with physicians
- Travel opportunities – day trips, cruises and trips abroad
- CLAIM Medicare assistance
- AARP Driver Safety Program
- Lifetime membership for $20
Freeman Advantage Activities
Upcoming Freeman Advantage programs and events
All events and activities are at the Freeman Business Center at 3220 McClelland Blvd. (back entrance) unless otherwise noted.
Walk with Ease
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (ongoing)
8:15 am
Corner of Ball and Austin – Webb City
This program allows you to walk at your own pace with plenty of places to sit and rest if needed. Call the Advantage office for the schedule.
Stay Strong
Wednesday and Friday
9:00 am
Stay Strong is designed to help with balance, flexibility and strength. The class is $25 for 16 sessions. Call the Advantage office or attend a class when you are ready to begin.
A Look Back at the Connor Hotel with Chad Stebbins and Jim Beeler
Tuesday, April 5
1:00 pm
Chad will discuss his latest book on the Connor Hotel that collapsed on November 11, 1978. He will provide history on the beautiful hotel and have his book for sale if you are interested. Jim Beeler worked for the City of Joplin for over 40 years and was involved with some of the final days and hours before the Connor’s collapse. Make plans to attend by making your reservation.
Trip Information Meetings
Monday, April 11
3:00 pm – Waco, Texas
3:30 pm – Las Vegas
4:00 pm – Christmas in Omaha
4:30pm – Hawaii Land and Cruise
5:30pm – Splendor of the Five Great Lakes River Cruise
If you are looking for additional information regarding these tours, make plans to attend one or all the trip informational meetings. Chris Tilly of Cruises and Tours Worldwide will be here to discuss the details and take your reservation. RSVP for these meetings by contacting the Advantage office.
Books and Bites
Thursday, April 28
2:00 pm
Book Discussion for April: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen followed by the movie of the same name and order food in
May Book: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
June Book: The Boys by Ron and Clint Howard
After a discussion of the month’s book, the group will head to a local restaurant to share a meal. Please RSVP.
Call 417.347.5837 for reservations or more information.
Last Tuesday of each month
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Freeman Business Center Conference Room 3220 McClelland Blvd., Joplin
HealthWISE (wellness, involvement, support and education) takes place at 10 am the last Tuesday of each month at Freeman Business Center. Refreshments will be available each month in addition to great medical information provided by Freeman’s very best healthcare professionals.
Springfield Cardinals
Friday, May 6
$75
Hop on the bus for a seat in the Redbird Roost for all-you-can-eat ballpark food and a fun baseball game with the Springfield Cardinals. Stay after the game for fireworks. Make your reservation and payment today.
New Theatre Restaurant – The Play that Goes Wrong
Wednesday, June 22
$88
It’s always a fun day at New Theatre in Overland Park, KS, and you can’t go wrong with the comedy The Play that Goes Wrong. Make your reservation and payment. Includes transportation, meal at theatre, show and gratuity.
Arrow Rock and Jefferson City
Sunday, July 24 – Monday, July 25
If you went with us last year, you will want to go again with a different theatre production – Dream Girls and a different city to explore! Our state capital is a wonderful place to visit, and there will be some unique stops that will amaze you. Contact Advantage for full itinerary, pricing and reservation forms. Don’t wait; reservation deadline coming soon.
Splendor of the Great Lakes
July 10 – 20, 2023
Reservations for 2023 already? Due to high demand, you must book this tour early. River cruises are more intimate than large ocean liners and allow for a more personalized experience. This is a luxury tour and includes almost everything you will want in a tour except for retail therapy! Begin this tour in Toronto, explore all five Great Lakes and end in Chicago. Contact Advantage to obtain the full itinerary and pricing.
Greece Island Hopper with a post-tour extension in Istanbul
October 13 – 23, 2022
Final early bird reservations due before April 7. After April 7, reservations will be made on a first come, first served basis. Everything you want in a tour to Greece – land, sea, island and the iconic blue of Greece. It includes Athens, Acropolis, The Parthenon, Mykonos, Santorini Island and Ancient Akrotiri. With tour dates chosen to miss the crowds and still catch the sun, this is a tour you won’t want to miss. Call the Advantage office or check out the link below.
Greece Island Hopper: gateway.gocollette.com/link1053366
Spotlight on Christmas in London
December 1 – 7, 2022
Christmas will be magical with this trip to England. Unpack your bags once to explore London at Christmas. Final early bird reservations due June 2. Call to inquire about the excellent pricing for this tour or use the link below to receive full itinerary and reserve your space.
Spotlight on Christmas in London: gateway.gocollette.com/link1053582
Costa Rica
January 2023
The price for this tour increases $1,000 after this trip, so Advantage wants to offer you the best value possible. Depart January 23 for a warm weather experience you won’t forget. Because this tour has changed from January 2024 to January 2023, final reservations are in July. Call to receive your brochure and make your reservation or visit the link below.
Costa Rica: gateway.gocollette.com/link/1096636
Tulip River Cruise in Holland and Belgium
April 2023
Book sooner than later! Early booking for this tour ends on August 5 due to high demand. For only six weeks each year, Keukenhof Gardens are home to over seven million flower hand-planted bulbs that include 800 varieties of spring flowers for a spectacular display. You will also make a stop at a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kinderdijk, Netherlands, that gives you a look to the windmills of old and how they blend in the countryside today. This river cruise enables you to unpack once to explore multiple stops in both Holland and Belgium. You do not want to miss this tour. Contact the Advantage office for full itinerary or use the link for information and booking.
Tulip River Cruise in Holland and Belgium: gateway.gocollette.com/link/1058735
Did you Know?
If you are interested in taking a group trip that Freeman Advantage is not currently offering, we can still assist you with your travel plans. Freeman Advantage is able to book any trip through Collette Vacations. You will receive the Freeman Advantage discount, and a car will pick you up at your home and deliver you home from the airport. To learn more about trip options visit gocollette.com, and call the Advantage office to book your trip 417.347.5837.
Freeman requires an Emergency Medical Form and a Release Waiver to be completed for all travel including day trips. These are turned in the day of travel.
Freeman Advantage Travel Policies
Please keep the following in mind when traveling with Freeman Advantage:
• Receipt of payment secures your space. Please submit your payment as soon as possible once you've signed up. Payments can be made with cash, check or credit card. We cannot give refunds after the final payment or cancellation date.
• If the payment/cancellation date has passed and you are interested in attending, please call the office. A wait list is kept for those who want to attend in case there are cancelations.
• Trip itineraries are subject to change. Substitutions will be of equal or greater value.
• Advantage trips are open to nonmembers for an additional fee of $20. This fee pays for a membership for those 50 years and over and does not apply to extended trips.
Freeman Advantage Day Trip and Event Policies
• Payment required to secure space for a day trip or a local event
• Check, cash, credit or debit card accepted
• No cancellations after final payment/cancellation date, unless someone fills the space
• Payment required at time of sign-up or soon after if paying by mail
• Trip itineraries subject to change
Collette Payments
If you have made a reservation for an Advantage trip hosted by Collette, you will need your booking number and the payment may be made online at reservations.gocollette.com/payment
Cruises and Tours Worldwide Tours
Checks may be mailed to their office at 2440 S. Brentwood Blvd., Suite 108, St. Louis, MO 63144.
Did you Know?
If you are interested in taking a group trip that Freeman Advantage is not currently offering, we can still assist you with your travel plans. Freeman Advantage is able to book any trip through Collette Vacations. You will receive the Freeman Advantage discount, and a car will pick you up at your home and deliver you home from the airport. To learn more about trip options visit gocollette.com, and call the Advantage office to book your trip 417.347.5837.
Freeman Advantage
Office hours: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Monday-Friday
Contact information
Jamie Gillmore, Freeman Advantage Coordinator
1221 McIntosh Circle, east entrance
Joplin, MO 64804
417.347.5837
Mailing address
1102 West 32nd Street
Joplin, MO 64804