Year in Review - January 2025

Message from the Executive Director

Greetings PALM Family,


Happy New Year, and welcome January 2025!

As we embrace the new year and our new location, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the remarkable milestones, events, and growth we experienced in 2024. PALM had an incredible year filled with joy, connection, and resilience, and we are so grateful for your unwavering support. 

 

A Year to Remember

This year, PALM proudly celebrated 50 years of service to older adults, a testament to our legacy of care and community. From inspiring programs to vibrant cultural events and trips, 2024 was filled with empowering moments, connection, and celebration. 

 

Below, we have highlighted just a few of the many remarkable events and milestones from each month. While we’ve accomplished so much more, these moments capture the essence of our collective achievements and the joy we shared together. 

 

JANUARY 2024 

We kicked off the year with “Senior Empowerment Day,” featuring valuable workshops, resource tables, and vendors dedicated to helping our members thrive. 

 

FEBRUARY

PALM celebrated Black History Month, honoring the past and recognizing the present contributions of the African/Black American experience. We celebrated the art, music, and shared stories of life in this country, including a feature film of Lower Merion through the ages narrated by community leader Carol Merrill-Bright. 

 

For Valentine’s Day, our first-ever Comedy and Music Concert, Love, Laugh & Lyrics, brought the community together in celebration of love and unity with music and laughter. 

 

FEBRUARY - MARCH

I had the privilege of facilitating a 4-part Caregiver Forum, moderated by Board Members Dr. David Galinsky and William (Bill) Leopold, featuring speakers from Main Line Health and community leaders. 

 

APRIL

PALM hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon with certificates and awards for outstanding service to the older adult community. It was our heartfelt way to honor those who give so much.

 

MAY

Our Mother’s Day Luncheon celebrated the incredible women in our lives, filled with shared stories and heartfelt memories of those who have made a lasting impact. 

 

JUNE

The Father’s Day Barbecue, hosted by James W. Bell Allen #97 Lodge, was a heartwarming tribute to fathers and father figures. 

We also commemorated Juneteenth with a Sunday Jazz Concert featuring The Alfie Pollitt Trio, powerful performances, and a heartfelt song tribute. 

 

JULY 

We celebrated Independence Day with a festive luncheon and hosted *Movies and a Meal* every Thursday, providing food, entertainment, and fellowship all month long. 

 

AUGUST 

PALM hosted Box Lunch and a Book, a community driven youth education initiative program led by Lorraine Carter. The children were onsite and enjoyed lunch with members and provided a medley of music and joy.

 

SEPTEMBER

PALM’s outreach intergenerationally continued as we welcomed students from Haverford Middle School led by Nate Pankratz. The students and members connect through reading stories and poetry, fostering a moving exchange of ideas and experiences. 


OCTOBER

At PALM’s Annual Meeting, keynote speaker Eric Nogami shared updates on our exciting renovation plans. We also hosted presentations from Main Line Health on heart health and a Vaccination Clinic, ensuring our members had access to important healthcare services. 

 

Our first-ever Pancake Fundraiser, supported by James W. Bell Allen #97 Masons, was a delightful success, featuring games, movies, and fun for all. 

 

NOVEMBER

PALM hosted a Jazz Concert featuring The Alfie Pollitt Trio, with special performances by 10-year-old entrepreneur Ava, who delivered a heartfelt poetry reading and a praise dance. 

 

We closed the month with our annual Thanksgiving Dinner Celebration, a time for delicious food, fellowship, and gratitude. 

 

DECEMBER 

We launched *The Caring Center*, a new program offering mental wellness support, grief counseling, and resource navigation across generations. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to caring for the whole person. Join us virtually on Tuesdays to participate! 

 

The Big Move 

PALM is undergoing a much-anticipated renovation, but we remain as active as ever at our temporary location: the Ardmore Community Center at 122 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003. The location may have changed, but the joy and connection remain the same! 

 

A GRATEFUL HEART

To our members, guests, organizations, vendors, elected officials, community leaders, faith-based leaders, and key stakeholders who supported our events throughout the year: thank you for allowing us to serve the older adult community. We could not have achieved so much without your participation and contributions. 

 

PATH FORWARD

As we step into 2025, we do so with gratitude, optimism, and excitement for what lies ahead. Together, we’ve built a foundation of love, laughter, and care that will continue to grow stronger in the years to come. 

 

We’re excited to share a gallery of pictures highlighting your involvement, love, and support. Enjoy! 

 

With warmest wishes for a joyous and Happy New Year, 

With heartfelt thanks,

Dawn S. Allen

Dawn S. Allen, MHS

Executive Director



“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. 

Every sunrise begins with new eyes.” 

-Richie Norton

PALM’S ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN

There's still time to give!

Your contributions make a profound impact as we work to reach our $39,000 goal. Together, we can continue to provide vital programs, services, and resources that empower and uplift our older adult community. 


Donate Now

Make a Difference Through Giving to PALM

Your generous support helps us combat food insecurity among older adults. Here’s how your gift directly impacts lives:


$6.95 provides one meal for an older adult.

$34.75 provides five meals for a week.

$139.00 feeds an older adult for an entire month.

Every gift, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference.


By becoming a recurring donor, you ensure ongoing support for older adults who need it most. Your monthly contribution provides consistent nourishment and care throughout the year.


Set up your recurring gift today and join a special group of supporters dedicated to making a lasting impact. Together, we can make a difference every single month!


For more than 50 years, PALM has been providing a safe place for Aging Adults. PALM offers a judgment free zone. We provide an environment where you are comfortable to socialize, exercise and lead an independent life in your community, by participating in programs that enhance your quality of life. PALM programs support aging gracefully in community.


The last few years have presented a challenge. COVID-19 has changed the way we interact with each other and how we protect and serve the Aging Adult population. The staff of PALM came together and created innovative ways to safely serve you virtually:


  • Curbside pickup meals for pickup on Thursdays 11:30 am – 12:30 pm 
  • Wellness Wednesday Boxed Lunch Meals for pickup Wednesdays from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Yoga, Sit and Get fit, Healthy Steps 
  • Exciting New Programs – Shared Reading and Fun Fridays! Call 610.642.9370 for details!


Urgent! PALM needs your help to continue the work of providing vital programs that benefit the Aging Adult population. We are not receiving income from classes to offset the cost of running our vital programs, yet our expenses remain the same. A gift from you will make a direct impact to offset the cost of the programs, supplies for the center and/or repairs we may have to make to improve safety and repurpose space at the center. 


We cannot let this virus defeat us. It's been proven time and time again that we can make more progress together as a community than any one of us can make individually. On behalf of the Aging Adult Community, I ask you to stand with PALM and GIVE NOW! 


Sincerely,

Dawn S. Allen 

Executive Director


Click Here to Make an Online Donation

PALM Trip(s)

Click Here to Purchase Ticket(s) Online

JANUARY

  • Friday 1/3 Dutch Apple Theater Trip – Movie WHITE CHRISTMAS (9:00 AM – 5:30 PM)
  • Friday, 1/17 The Center for Positive Aging in Lower Merion – PALM Presents: PALM on the Move: A Temporary New Home Celebration” At Ardmore Community Center: Senior MLK games fun day


FEBRUARY

  • Wednesday, 2/5 Pa Health & Wellness 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Friday, 2/7 PALM on the Move: A Temporary New Home Celebration” At Ardmore Community Center: Empower & Thrive: PALM’s Health, Education & Wellness Senior Fair! MLK Celebration
  • Friday 2/14 Atlantic City trip 8:30 am Valentine Extravaganza! Melodies, poetry, and a touch of romance!
  • Monday 2/17 National Day Of Mourning for James Earl Carter (President’s Day)
  • Friday, 2/28 Line Dancing: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, 2/28: Black History Month Celebration Movie and a Meal (Malcolm X or Six Triple Eight)


Check out the website for the annual event calendar.


**Calendars subject to change without notice**


We welcome sponsors to help us provide engaging activities and reduce expenses for our seniors at PALM Senior Center. Your generous support will enable us to continue offering programs that enrich the lives of our community members.


Why Sponsor PALM Activities?


  • Directly support local seniors and their well-being
  • Enhance visibility for your business in our community
  • Contribute to valuable, meaningful activities that make a difference


Interested in becoming a sponsor? Reach out today to discuss opportunities for collaboration and support.

Memory Lane

MLK Senior Empowerment Day - Vendors

January 13, 2024

Annual Meeting

Vaccination Clinic

Montgomery County Office of Older Adults

COVID Clinic

Medicare Event sponsored by Senator Cappelletti

Boss Day

Shady Maples Trip

December 19, 2024

Reverend Virginia Pollard Birthday Celebration

August 2024

Activity Calendar

Food Menu

Your Monthly Crossword Puzzle

Click here to Download
Click here to Play Online

January Birthday Celebrations!

PALM CELEBRATES BIRTHDAYS

PALM celebrates all of our members with cake, fun, music and joy monthly. This year we celebrated milestones for our board president who turned 75 years young Reverend Virginia Pollard: One of our key volunteers Barbara William who turned 90 to our Centenarian’s Sweet Caroline’s 110th Birthday who was awarded a proclamation from Senator Cappelletti, complete with local media coverage.

Lillian Adger

Lavonia Braxton

Sharon Bryant

Dorothy Clark

Zana Delores Curtis

Collette Debrouwer

Christine Dixon-Anderson

Ruth El

Daniel Evans

Marsha Foster

Geneva Gaymon

Olga Gibbs

Fran Greenberg

George Hearn

Erick Howard

Agnes Howkins

William Kneip

Meg Lewis

Gail McCown

Teresa Migliaro

Samuel Miller

Florentino Ouano

Josefina Ouano

Bettie Roach

Dolores Robinson

Oscar Saldana

Gladys Saldana

Gladys Saldana

Ernestine Selby

Margarita Serbia

Michael Sommerville

Linda Stewart

Frances Vanderveur

Catherine Walker

Verdell Williams

Jacqueline Willis

Jeanette Young

If you have not seen your birthday, call 610.642.9370 to be added.

Introducing Our New In Memory Of Section

At PALM, we lovingly honor those who have passed, including our cherished board members, members, and volunteers, whose lives and contributions have deeply impacted our community. To celebrate their legacy, we are introducing an In Memoriam section in our future newsletters, providing a space to remember our loved ones.


If you know of someone you would like us to honor, please email their name and any information you would like to share to info@palmseniors.org, and they will be included in our next newsletter. We deeply appreciate your help in ensuring we remember and celebrate all who have touched our community. 

In Memoriam: George Oscar Hearn, Jr.


PALM reflects on the life of George Oscar Hearn, Jr., a former Board Member, and longtime member, departed this life on January 15, 2025.

We reflect on just a few of the highlights of his remarkable life:


  • Graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1957, breaking multiple track and field records.
  • Set the National Schoolboy Record in the 120-Yard High Hurdles in 1957, running a 13.9 at the PIAA District One Championship.
  • Inducted into the Pennsylvania Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2001.
  • Achieved a National Indoor Hard Floor 60-Yard Hurdles record at Madison Square Garden.
  • Served honorably in the U.S. Army as a sharpshooter, later serving in the reserves.
  • Lifelong member of Club Thrif-T, supporting the growth of future generations.
  • Devoted member of Zion Baptist Church, actively serving in various ministries.
  • Committed participant in PALM’s Bible Study, exemplifying his faith and dedication.


George is survived by his loving wife, Violet Hearn (Former Board Member); his brother, William "Billy" Hearn, both active PALM members; a sister, Arleen Hearn Taylor (William); sons, Marc Anthony Farrington, Carlton Blaine Hatcher (Carolyn), Duane William Hatcher (Robin), and Gerald Darden Hearn; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.


2025 PALM Holiday Schedule


The PALM Center will be closed on the following dates.


Monday, January 20, MLK Jr. Day

Friday, April 18, Good Friday

Friday, July 4, Independence Day

Thursday, August 28 – Friday, August 29, Summer Break

Monday, September 1, Labor Day

Thursday, November 28, Thanksgiving Day

Friday, November 29, Day After Thanksgiving

Thursday, December 24, – Friday, December 25, Winter Break


*Dates subject to change

Please consider making a charitable gift to PALM

Your donation helps support

PALM's mission to our seniors.

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As we step into 2025, we do so with gratitude, optimism, and excitement for what lies ahead. Together, we’ve built a foundation of

love, laughter, and care that will continue to

grow stronger in the years to come. 

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Become a member of PALM and be a part of a positive and active environment. Offering lunch programs, daily activities, and engaging events such as line dancing, movie nights, Jazz Festival, and more!

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Thank You to Our Sponsors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Reverend Virginia Pollard, President 

Craig Whitney, Vice President 

Emma K. Benn, DrPH

David E. Galinsky, MD

Bernice Green 

William Simon Leopold 

STAFF 

Dawn S. Allen, Executive Director

Abigail Zimondi

Jeanette Young

Erika Johnson

Felicia Howard

Joan Jackson

Christine Dixon-Anderson

Harry Collins

PALM - Center for Positive Aging in Lower Merion 

117 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003

(610) 642-9370  |  (610) 642-8873 (F)

www.palmseniors.org

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