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
- Exercise and walking programs
- Pin it to Win It 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
Walk with Ease
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (ongoing)
Corner of Ball and Austin – Webb City
8:15
This program allows you to walk at your own pace with plenty of places to sit and rest if needed. Please contact Jamie to let her know you will be attending due to occasional schedule changes.
Stay Strong
Wednesday and Friday
9:00 am
Freeman Business Center
$25 for 16 sessions
This balance, strength and flexibility class is a great way to improve the ease of daily living skills and keep fit. Much of the workout can be completed in the chair or standing for those ready for more of a challenge. Please call to make your reservation for this class and indicate which class time works for you.
Books and Bites
Freeman Advantage/Volunteer Book Club
Thursday, October 21
2:00 pm
Freeman Business Center Conference Room
October: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
November: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond
December: The Christmas Train by David Baldacci
Yellowstone in Winter Trip Information Meeting
Tuesday, October 5
4:00pm
Chris Tilley from Cruises and Tours will be with us to discuss the details of this exciting tour. Experience winter in a spectacular location – Yellowstone. See wildlife while riding through this National Park in a snow bus. Take a carriage ride through an Elk Reserve and take an optional snowmobile ride. The tour is topped off with seats in Salt Lake City’s tabernacle to see and hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Reservation forms are available in the Advantage office now and can be completed before the meeting to reserve your space.
West Virginia Trip Information Meeting
Tuesday, October 5 (moved from October 12)
5:00pm
Freeman Business Center
There is a date change for this trip meeting. If you have made reservations for this tour, plan to attend to hear all the exciting details of the tour, meet your fellow travelers and receive final itinerary. Please contact Jamie if you are unable to attend.
Autumn Fest
Thursday, October 7
5:30 pm
Freeman East Grassy Area
This is our second year for this event combined with Freeman Volunteers. Celebrate autumn with chili dogs, cookies, music and socializing. This is the perfect event to meet other Advantage members and volunteers. While this event is free, reservations must be made by October 1.
Rain out date is Wednesday, October 20, the at Freeman East if it isn’t raining and at the Freeman Business Center if it rains.
Pumpkins, Wagons, Campfire and S’mores! Oh My!
Friday, October 8
4:00 pm
Country Roads Family Fun Farm
15144 Route 97, Stotts City, MO
This fun evening out includes a wagon ride to the far side of the pumpkin farm where you will enjoy a farm to table meal fresh from Country Roads Farm. There will be live music, Corn Hole and s’mores around the fire. Pick a pumpkin to take home and sneak a peek at the animals from the farm. There won’t be a better way to welcome in fall than this fun event! Don’t forget it indicate if you will be carpooling from Freeman East at 3:00 pm or meeting the group at the farm. Please RSVP with the Advantage office.
October 9 – 17
Jamie will be on vacation away from the Advantage office.
HealthWISE
Tuesday, October 19
10:00am
Freeman Business Center
Rebecca Beeler, Freeman Health System Director of Social Work, will be discussing options for living as you age. Whether you have been hospitalized and find yourself needing a little extra help or need to figure out how to downsize, this information will be valuable before you find yourself needing to make a last-minute decision. Don’t wait to get this valuable information when you are in the process of deciding. Refreshments and social time after the presentation. Please call the Advantage office to make your reservations.
Tuesday, October 19
Trip Information Meetings
3:00pm – Canadian Rockies by Train and the Calgary Stampede: gateway.gocollette.com/link/1062817
4:00 pm – Ireland with Edinburgh extension: gateway.gocollette.com/link/1060431
5:00 pm – Danube River Cruise with Oberammergau: gateway.gocollette.com/link/1067858
Kenny Judd with Collette will join us to discuss all the exciting details for these tours. If you are interested in these tours, you may sign up before the meeting by using the links above or contacting the Advantage office for reservation forms.
Trip Information Meetings
Monday, November 8
4:00 pm - Colorado Rockies gateway.gocollette.com/link1053582
5:00 pm – Greece Island Hopper gateway.gocollette.com/link1053366
6:00pm – Spotlight on Christmas in London gateway.gocollette.com/link1053582
Kenny Judd with Collette will join us to discuss additional travel options with Advantage during 2022. Make your reservation to join us for the meeting and go online to see the full itinerary and make your reservation before your space gets away.
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.
Freeman Advantage offers many exciting travel opportunities throughout the year, including day trips, cruises, and trips abroad. Please contact the Freeman Advantage office at 417.347.5837 for more information.
Day Trips
Menopause the Musical at New Theatre Restaurant
Saturday, November 13
Cost: $88
Please call to put your name on the waiting list for this sold out day trip.
Daniel O’Donnell in Branson
Tuesday, November 16
Cost: $110
Danny O’Donnell has been entertaining crowds for years. Join Freeman Advantage in some of the best seats in the house at the Welk Resort for our matinee show. A buffet meal will complete the day before heading home. Trip includes meal, show, transportation and gratuity.
An Affair of the Heart
Friday, November 19
Cost: $49
The Advantage group is making this an annual trip. The Spirit Expo Center in Tulsa is filled with over 500 vendors that include home décor, clothing, jewelry, food and much more. Please call to put your name on the waiting list for this annual day trip.
Texas Tenors in Branson
Wednesday, December 1
Cost: $108
Three-time Emmy Award winners and America’s Got Talent top selling group, Texas Tenors are a classical crossover group formed in 2009. The trio is made up of a country music artist, a Broadway musician and an opera singer. They have performed thousands of concerts over the last 10+ years and continue to have a large fan base. Join us in our excellent seats for this afternoon of music. Lunch will be at Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks. Call the Advantage office for your reservations and to make payments.
Johnny and June at New Theatre Restaurant
Wednesday, January 5
Cost: $86
New Theatre is always a hit, and this show bumped another show from the season at New Theatre because it is so good. Make your reservation and payment for this show to help beat the winter blues.
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
Extended Trips
Sensational Washington!
April 19 – 22, 2022
This tour is full, but you are able to get on the WAIT LIST for this tour by completing a reservation form and turning it in without payment.
Coming Soon!
Waco, TX – June 2022
Las Vegas – November 2022
Hawaii departing on January 7, 2023
Tulip Cruise – April 2023
More local opportunities
Regifting party – December
Annual Advantage Christmas party
Health Fair – 2022
All events and activities are at the Freeman Business Center 3220 McClelland Blvd. (back entrance) unless noted differently.
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.
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; https://reservations.gocollette.com/payment/aspx
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 waiting list is kept for those who want to attend should there be 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.
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