LOS ANGELES, D.C. (August 10, 2011) –Adults age 50 and older will soon have access to a wider array of health and wellness programming, thanks to a $284,730 grant to OASIS from the Sam’s Club Giving Made Simple campaign. The funds, raised through online and in-store voting, will help individuals prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
“We are grateful to Sam’s Club and to the thousands of people who cast their votes for adult wellness,” said Marcia Kerz, president of the OASIS Institute. OASIS is a national education organization dedicated to enriching the lives of adults age 50 and older through lifelong learning and service. The organization annually serves thousands of individuals in the local area.
The Giving Made Simple campaign was launched during July by Sam’s Club to raise public awareness of health and wellness issues. OASIS was one of four charities that Sam’s Club members and associates could choose to support, with each daily vote worth $5 to that organization. In all, OASIS received nearly 57,000 votes nationwide. On two designated Twitter voting days that were open to the public, OASIS received more “tweet votes” than any of the other charities.
“We called our supporters tweethearts,” said Kerz. “They really turned out for us. Now it’s our turn to put these funds to work for them.”
OASIS plans to expand health and wellness programming in the Los Angeles area over the next year. Examples of programs currently offered include educational sessions on diabetes, fall prevention and nutrition, as well as yoga, Pilates, dance and other exercise programs.
“We are pleased to award OASIS a substantial grant to apply toward their programs and we want to recognize them for participating,” said Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president, Sam’s Club Health and Wellness. “We look forward to learning about the success of these programs in the coming months and also want to thank our members and associates for the role they played in supporting these causes.”
OASIS is a national education organization that promotes successful aging through lifelong learning, health programs and volunteer engagement. Los Amgeles is part of a national network that serves a diverse audience through educational centers and community partners. The OASIS Institute is nationally headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. For more information, visit www.oasisnet.org.