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Freeman Advantage

1221 McIntosh Circle, East entrance
Joplin, MO 64804
417.347.5837

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

    The Advantage office entrance is located at 1221 McIntosh Circle! You may enter the building through the west door facing the Joplin Family Y.

    All events and activities are at the Freeman Business Center at 3220 McClelland Blvd. (back entrance) unless otherwise noted.

    Books and Bites
    March 28 
    2:00 pm
    March Read - “The Culprit” by Martin Sasek
    April – We are awaiting an announcement from the Joplin Public Library.
    Join us for a discussion of the book, with a meal at a local restaurant afterward.

    Stay Strong
    Wednesday and Friday
    9:00 am – 10:00 am
    Working on balance, flexibility and strength, this class offers the perfect exercise for you. 16 sessions for $25 paid to the instructor.  Please contact the Advantage office for more details.

    Walk with Ease
    Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (ongoing)
    8:15 am – 9:15 am
    Please contact the Advantage office for the latest schedule. Meet at Emmanuel Baptist
    Church in Webb City for a warmup, walk and cool down.

    Bowling Lunch Dates
    Wednesday, March 27
    Friday, April 5
    Monday, April 22

    Be watching for:
    iPhone and Android classes
    Magical Christmas Markets – December 2024
    Italy – April 2025

    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.

    Tuesday, March 28
    Dr. Ryan Longnecker, Freeman Heart Institute will join us to share the latest in heart health. Please plan to join us and sign up for upcoming trips and activities. 
    Refreshments provided. Please RSVP.

     

    “To Kill a Mockingbird” – Tulsa Performing Arts Center
    Wednesday, March 27
    $160
    Richard Thomas, whom many of you know as “John Boy” from TV’s “The Waltons” will be touring with this fabulous classic turned Broadway play. Don’t miss your opportunity to join us for a meal at Miller’s home before the performance. This is an evening show and we will return after midnight to Freeman East. Please call to make your reservation and confirm space before mailing your payment.

    “Elvis- Aloha” – New Theatre
    Wednesday, April 17
    $85
    New Theatre is one of our favorite bus tours. Call to make your reservation to join us for a day of great food and great theatre with music to get you on your feet. Pay for your reservation at time of sign-up to confirm your spot.

    Springfield Gardens and Dickerson Park Zoo Day Trip
    Wednesday, May 8
    Cost: $94
    Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour with an expert at the Dickenson Park Zoo. Feed the animals and spend time meandering around the zoo to enjoy all the wild things. The professionals at the zoo say, “bring your camera!” Enjoy a stroll through the gardens with an expert to learn the history of the park system in Springfield. Also included is Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. Lunch is included at Black Sheep. Spring is the perfect time to be outdoors, so do not hesitate to sign up for this day trip. Please call to make your reservations and submit your payment.

    “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” – Tulsa Performing Arts Center
    Tuesday, May 14
    $160
    A comeback story like no other. Tina Turner is a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock and Roll. The show is filled with her hit songs and in the end will have you on your feet. Begin the evening with a meal at Miller’s Mennonite Home and then head to the theater for orchestra level seating for the show. The show is an evening performance, and the bus will return after midnight to Freeman East. Do not wait to make your reservation. Trip includes ticket to show, meal, transportation and gratuity. Please contact Jamie to make your reservation.
     


     

    The Northern Lights of Finland (Trip is full, but call to be added to wait list)
    February 10-17, 2024 
    The Northern Lights of Finland with Freeman Advantage (gocollette.com) 
    Call the Advantage office to see if there is still space.

    Exploring Ireland and Scotland (Trip is full, but call to be added to wait list)
    March 10-22, 2024
    There are only a couple of spaces remaining on this tour. If you have a reservation, please contact Jamie for further details regarding the pre tour to London if you haven’t signed up.
    Exploring Scotland & Ireland with Freeman Advantage (gocollette.com)

    Spotlight on Washington, D.C.
    April 10-15, 2024
    A hotel stay with history everywhere you turn. Plan to join us on July 6th at 5:00pm for more information. Or contact the Advantage office for a brochure or locate the link provided for full itinerary and reservation.
    http://www.gateway.gocollette.com/link/1142789

    South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana
    Departing June 4th, 2024
    gateway.gocollette.com/link/1154032
    African Safari: Kenya and Tanzania
    Departing on September 7
    gateway.gocollette.com/link/1070436 
    There is one space available on each of these tours listed above. Please contact Jamie for additional information or make your reservation using the link above.

    Smoky Mountains and Biltmore Bus Tour
    Don’t miss out!  Sign up Today!
    April 25 – May 2, 2024 
    Early bird reservations have passed. Please contact Jamie to see if you can be added to the group.

    The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum Bus Tour
    August 5 – 10, 2024
    This bus tour has what many of you have asked for in a tour – a bus journey with the Creation Museum and The Ark Encounter. Also included are the Kentucky Derby Museum, Air Force Museum, A Hot Brown at The Brown Hotel and more. The tour cost includes nine meals, lodging, transportation and all sights and attractions. You will beat the heat and will be inside with the air conditioning. Please contact Jamie for full details to complete your reservation and get your name on the list for this tour.

    Alaska Discovery: Land and Cruise
    July 10-21, 2024
    Join us for our Land and Cruise to Alaska. Spend the initial days of tour exploring Alaskan land prior to boarding the Holland America. Cost includes transfers to and from airport, airfare, lodging, 7-night cruise, 26 meals and gratuities. Use the link for full itinerary or join us for a trip information meeting on July 6th.
    gateway.gocollette.com/link/1119428

    Fall Colors of New England
    October 8-15, 2024
    Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Time is running out to make your reservations for one of the best tours in the U.S. Extend your autumn by beginning the season early in the Northeast. It is a beautiful time of year. Experience tree-covered mountainsides dotted with quaint villages with white-steepled churches. The area offers beautiful Georgian homes, covered bridges and a town green set the Green Mountains. Experience the Cold Hollow Cider Mill to learn about apple pressing and cider before heading to the Trapp Family Lodge. In New Hampshire, you will journey through the White Mountains and a stop to learn about maple sugaring. The Kancamagus Highway is a scenic byway with amazing views of the White Mountains. View the full itinerary and make your reservation using the link provided. If you have any questions, reach out to Jamie. Early bird reservations and pricing end on April 1. After that date, reservations are on a-first come, first-served basis. 
    gateway.gocollette.com/link/1168819

    ​​​​​​​European Christmas Markets on the Danube
    December 7-15, 2024
    See information on our trip information meeting on Thursday, November 9th. Call Jamie for a full itinerary and assistance to make your reservation or use the link provided to view the itinerary and make your reservation.
    gateway.gocollette.com/link/1169311

    Treasures of Egypt
    February 20 – March 3, 2025
    Make your reservation today for this amazing tour that includes Cairo, Luxor, a four night Nile River cruise and much more. You can use the link for a full itinerary or contact Jamie today.
    gateway.gocollette.com/link/1209856

    Cultural Treasures of Japan
    February 23 – March 8, 2025
    On this tour, you will explore ancient and modern Japanese culture firsthand. Discover
    peaceful temples and technological marvels set against unimaginable natural beauty.
    You will take a cable car for a breathtaking view of Mount Fiji and a cruise of Lake Ashi
    to view the mountains. This tour gives you the best of Japan. There is only space for 30 people on this tour. For a full itinerary and pricing, please visit the website listed or contact Jamie for full details.
    gateway.gocollette.com/link/1222456

    Trip Informational Meeting
    Thursday, April 18 at 5:00pm
    Please plan to join us for a presentation on the “Cultural Treasures of Japan.” This will allow you to see the full itinerary, ask questions and book your reservation. If you are interested in this tour, please do not wait for the meeting as space is filling up. Please visit the website listed or contact Jamie for full details.
    https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1222456

    Reflections of Italy
    April 23 – May 2, 2025
    The second date of this tour is halfway full! Use the link to get full itinerary and sign up for our next adventure to Italy or contact Jamie for assistance.
    gateway.gocollette.com/link/1143865

    Be watching for:
    National Senior Health and Fitness Day Health Fair – Wednesday, May 29
    Dogwood Canyon
    Wonders of Wildlife
    Claremore and Beyond
    New Theatre – “Newsies”
    Overnight Diamond and Crystal Dig
    Peru – July 2025
    Croatia and It’s Islands – August 2025
    Canyon Country – October 2025
    Sunny Portugal – November 2025

    Event Sign Up: If you are signing up for one of our free events, you may contact the Freeman Advantage office and leave your name and phone number. You will be added to the attendees for that event or activity.

    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. Checks can be mailed to Freeman Advantage: 1102 W. 32nd St., Joplin, MO 64804 We cannot give refunds after the final payment or cancellation date. If you need to cancel a day trip, efforts will be made to find a replacement for you if there is a waiting list.
    • 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.
    • Once you have signed up for a day trip, a letter will be sent to you a week prior to the trip with final itinerary. 
    • All bus trips leave from Freeman East (most southern portion of the parking lot.)

    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. You may also call at 800-832-4656 and they will give you a current quote with airfare.  Just mention World Connect. PIV ID # for Freeman Advantage: 16413-249

    Day Trip Reminder: Please remember your payment is due at the time of reservation. The payment confirms your space on the trip. If you need to cancel, efforts will be made to find a replacement for you if there is a waiting list or if is before final payments are due to the vendors. Checks can be mailed to 1221 McIntosh Circle, Joplin, MO 64804 and made payable to Freeman Advantage. Please indicate the trip on the memo line of the check in addition to indicating your traveling companions for the trip. The bus departs from Freeman East (most southern portion of the lot), 932 E. 34th St., for all day trips and extended tours. A letter will be mailed to you a week prior to the day trip to provide you with full itinerary details along with two forms required by Freeman for you to travel. These include an Emergency Medical form and a Release Waiver form and can be turned in on the day of travel.


     

    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