“Every time we sit down in an Oasis class, there is somebody interesting sitting next to us,” says Tom Stafford.

It’s part of the reason that he and his wife, Ann, feel compelled to give regularly to Albuquerque Oasis. But over the years, their giving has become more focused because of an Oasis program they’re watching from afar for now: Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring.

“We get a lot from taking Oasis classes, but because we travel so much, we’re limited in the kind and amount of volunteering we do. We don’t actually have the schedule to commit to being tutors ourselves yet, but we feel our giving is a good way to ensure that the young people living in our community continue to get the support they need through this amazing program.”

Tom and Ann are active participants for most of the year at the Albuquerque Oasis, where Ann also volunteers once a week, but they find themselves gravitating during the months of January and April to classes offered at San Diego Oasis. The couple lived in San Diego for about ten years before moving to Albuquerque to be closer to their children and grandchildren, and still go back for long visits.

At both Oasis locations, the Staffords attend a lot of classes together, but feel just as free to go solo if it looks like a topic is going to satisfy an individual interest. Tom likes to learn more about science and history, and Ann find herself drawn to the arts, health and wellness and current events.

“The fact that we can both find so much that we are drawn to shows the breadth of the programming that’s available,” says Tom, who shares Oasis with others when the opportunity presents itself, which is pretty often.

“I find it’s interesting to relate just about any conversation to an experience or something I’ve learned about with Oasis. It’s a pretty easy segue,” he adds.

In addition to pursuing lifelong learning classes, Ann volunteers once a week at Albuquerque Oasis front desk, Tom volunteers with some other organizations in the community and they travel.

Learn more about the many ways to give to Oasis.

Being a part of Oasis means embracing a culture of lifelong learning, building connections with peers and finding purpose through volunteering.

Barbara Bluiett understands that. When she’s not wearing her technology instructor hat, lending a hand as a volunteer on a wide variety of special projects or taking classes, she finds herself serving as an ambassador for Indianapolis Oasis.

“I have become friends with so many people along the way that I might have never met, and it has added pleasure to my life,” she says. “Having a purpose each week only extends the enjoyment of my days. I want others to experience that feeling, so I am always talking about Oasis wherever I go. I just keep catalogs with me and give them out when I have the opportunity.”

Barbara has also found a convenient way to contribute financially to Oasis by making a registration gift every trimester when she registers for classes. She’s taken a little bit of everything, from current events to Spanish, and most recently, Tai Chi for Falls Prevention. For Barbara, this kind of regular giving makes sense. “It’s important to give what you can of your time, talent and also financially,” she adds. “It’s how an organization stays vital.”

Learn more about the many ways to give to Oasis.

“Learning new things is like a care package for both body and mind,” says Elinor Spring-Mills.

She has taken nearly 100 lifelong learning classes over the last three years at Upstate Oasis, in Syracuse, New York, where she has experienced and embraced the culture of lifelong learning, building connections with peers and finding purpose through volunteering.

“Oasis has been a source of great happiness to me,” Elinor says. “I have explored new subjects, refreshed others and made many interesting new friends.”

Elinor has been so impacted with her own experiences that she’s taken a generous step forward to ensure that others can have access to Oasis programs. She established the Elinor Spring-Mills, PhD, Educational Endowment Fund.

“The purpose of my fund is to promote and sustain education and learning for older adults who may not otherwise be able to participate,” she says. “Being retired may limit participation because of potential reduced income, medical expenses or limited mobility. I want others to be able to participate in Oasis now and in the future.”

Learn more about the many ways to give to Oasis.

Once a teacher, always a teacher. After 40 years of working in public schools, Tom Henry still finds himself in the classroom. And he loves it.

“Being an instructor for Oasis allows me to take part in all the best parts about teaching,” he says. “The classes are great because there are no tests, no one looking over my shoulder to tell me how to teach and the people who are there want to be there.”

Tom’s tenure at Upstate Oasis in Syracuse, NY, started in 2007, when he was invited to teach classes for a national program on immigration. It didn’t take long to get hooked.

“When I got there to teach the course, I found fun, enthusiastic people to teach,” he says. He’s been teaching at Oasis ever since, having offered a wide variety of courses, primarily related to history. His classes about the Civil War, Native American history, the Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitution are popular, but he’s always game for new ideas.

“As people suggest things, I teach them. We just finished a class to recognize the 75th anniversary of World War II,” Tom says.

Tom travels a lot, and shares photos and stories about his adventures in a popular “Travels with Tom” series. Those who attend have enjoyed front row seats to some amazing places: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, German and Italy to name a few. There is no fee to listen in, only a donation to help raise money for Oasis. Tom also serves as Chair of the Education Committee for Upstate Oasis, as well as on the advisory council. 

In addition to volunteering, Tom is a committed donor.

“If we’re going to give good service, then we need the financial means to be able to do that,” he says. “One of the joys of giving is to be able to give back to an organization that I think is doing important work. Oasis provides an avenue for older adults to keep learning in a friendly environment. It is an important part of who I am.”

There are a number of ways to give to Oasis.

Tom is featured in the 2016 Oasis Annual Report.

After she retired from teaching, Thelma Willis took advice from a friend and checked out Oasis in St. Louis. That was in 2001. And a lot of wonderful life has taken place since then.

“I can certainly say that my life has gotten better since becoming a member of Oasis,” Thelma says. “I have learned more about myself and how to keep my body and mind healthy.”

Thelma admits it would be hard for her to choose which Oasis classes have been her favorites. She’s taken more than 100, everything from line dancing to genealogy to African American short stories. 

“I have learned many new things by attending classes, but I think I have learned even more from other participants. We all come from different backgrounds, and it feels good to come together despite our differences. Everyone at Oasis is so friendly. The people I have met are so easy to talk to.”

Volunteering has proven another sweet spot for Thelma, who has worn a number of helpful hats for Oasis—answering phones, making calls, data entry, attending health fairs and coordinating classes, to name a just a few. For her, giving her time is another way to connect to others and grow even more.

“Before I joined Oasis, I was more of a follower, but I have learned about how to lead,” she says. “I want to learn even more about myself as a person.”

Thelma gives regularly to Oasis through the Friends of Oasis annual giving campaign.
“I love it so much, and I want to help,” she says. “I donate because I want other people to know about Oasis. I get so energized by Oasis and I see so many other people who are energized, too!”

There are a number of ways to give to Oasis. 

Thelma is featured in our 2016 Annual Report.

Oasis was such an integral part of Carmen Garcia’s later years that honoring her memory with a tribute gift seems natural to her children, Gilda, Gina and Gilbert.

Carmen took classes and volunteered in the office of the San Antonio Oasis for more than 20 years, an achievement that she was thrilled to share with her family during a 20-year pin ceremony in 2011.

 

“That was one of the happiest days of my mother’s life,” says Gilbert. “She was so excited. I will always remember that because it was such a significant moment to be recognized for her work, which she took very seriously.”

 

The impact Oasis had on Carmen’s life was evident, even from afar.

 

“We were all living out of town for most of those years, but Mother was independent, happy and had a full plate because of Oasis,” says Gilbert.

 

 

“Mom set the bar pretty high for the level of engagement and activity after retirement,” says Gilda. “She told us, ‘These are the best years of my life.’ And she meant it.”

 

Extended family, extended life

The Garcia siblings knew that through Oasis, their mother had bonded with people who became her extended family. They were pleasantly, thankfully surprised to discover the extent to which people cared about her.

 

“Brenda Schmachtenberger, the executive director for Oasis in San Antonio, would reach out to us and tell us how Mom was doing,” says Gilbert. “When Brenda knew that Mom’s abilities were diminishing, she would just find something else for her to do in the office, something easier to deal with.  It allowed her to stay engaged and keep her dignity. That sort of personal touch meant a lot to us.”

 

When Carmen passed away in February 2015, her children were again moved to know more about the impact their mother had on others.

 

“At the wake, we had a celebration of Mom’s life. It was attended by such a large number of people who were part of Oasis,” says Gilda. “There was a choir and drummers. They all came and performed. It was such a loving and fun way to remember her. You could really see how they all considered themselves to be connected and part of a family.” People spontaneously started getting up and telling stories about Mom and what they remembered about her.  It was great to hear those stories.”

 

Celebrating a life well lived

All three of Carmen’s children agree that their mother would be pleased to know they’ve chosen to thank Oasis with a legacy gift in her memory.

 

“We’re all the first generation to go to college and we wouldn’t have the quality of life we have or the success we have, without our mother’s spirit and effort and support,” says Gina. “Giving to Oasis is a way of celebrating her.”

 

Gilbert agrees.

 

“Oasis was such a significant part of our mother’s life. We want to extend Oasis as much as we can to make sure it is around for others to take part in. Mom’s is one of the best end-of-life stories I’ve ever heard.”

 

To learn more about how to make a gift in honor or in memory of a loved one, contact Lyndsey Reichardt, National Development Manager at lreichardt@oasisnet.org or 314-862-2933, Ext. 240.