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
May 23
1:00 pm
May – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
June – Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill
July – Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
Join us for a discussion of the book and then a meal at a local restaurant.
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.
Summer Bowling League
The summer leagues begin in May. There are openings for the Monday, Wednesday and Friday leagues. Bowl one day a week or more! Contact 4th St. Bowl and let them know you are a Freeman Advantage member.
Game Day
Thursday, May 16
1:00 pm
Join your friends for a lively game of Hand and Foot or Mexican Train Dominoes. Refreshments provided. Please bring your own soft drink.
Freeman Advantage Health and Resource Fair
Wednesday, May 29
8:00 pm - 11:00 am
Mark your calendars and get ready to “Spring to Health!” You will have an opportunity to gather a wide variety of valuable information, just for you! Health and wellness encompass many different parts of our life including social, education, financial, emotional and more, and the health fair will touch on many different aspects of your health. This is an opportunity to meet with Freeman providers and area resources.
The Freeman Screen Team will provide basic screenings for $10 during this event. They’ll also provide other screening options for purchase. If you want to participate in any of the screening options, you will need to fast for eight hours.
A Dementia and Alzheimer’s presentation will take place at 9:00 am.
You will find interactive booths and giveaways along with drawings for door prizes for visiting all the booths. Please make your reservation for this come and go event. There will be free breakfast following your health screenings.
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, May 21
Dr. Converse, the newest addition to the Neurology team, will join us to discuss the latest in Neurology and Neurosurgery treatment options. Please RSVP for this event. Refreshments provided.
Refreshments provided. Please RSVP.
Wonders of Wildlife
Wednesday, July 24
$115
Let’s stay inside where it’s cool! Wonders of Wildlife and Aquarium along with a gift card to Bass Pro Shop and Meal and Hemingway’s is included in the price for the day. Please call Jamie to make your reservation and give your meal selection for lunch.
New Theatre - Newsies
Wednesday, August 14
$85
We love New Theatre! It is always hard to decide if we like the show or the food better on this day trip. Newsies is New Theatre’s musical for the year and is always a hit. Please call Jamie to make your reservation. Space always fills quickly, so get your friend list together and get your names on the list.
The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum Bus Tour
August 5 – 10, 2024
Offered by Simply Travel
Sign up today for our journey to 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 a/c. Don’t wait any longer to get your reservation form completed for this tour. A reservation form will need to be completed to make your reservation. Please contact Jamie for full details and get your name on the list for this tour.
Cultural Treasures of Japan
February 23 – March 8, 2025
Make your reservation today to visit the “Land of the Rising Sun.” It’s a unique travel experience where a land rich in traditions meets modern culture along the way. Your visit begins in Tokyo where a lush, beautiful landscape is just a short drive. Visit Mt. Fuji and may even get a glimpse of it during your stay in Tokyo. Experience a traditional Tea Ceremony and the Matsumoto Castle in the area of the Japanese Alps. Stroll through a 600-year-old open air market along the Miyagawa River. You will visit at least six of the 21 World Heritage sites in Japan. In the final few days of tour, you will board the Bullet train to Hiroshima where you will board a ferry to Shrine Island and later the Peace Memorial Park. You will enjoy two hands-on experiences including stenciling and gold leafing. This tour is full of unexpected experiences you don’t want to miss. Please visit the website listed or contact Jamie for full details. If you have traveled with Jamie and Collette in the past, your reservation can be made by contacting Jamie. Your reservation can be secured without completing a full reservation form.
gateway.gocollette.com/link/1222456
Reflections of Italy
April 23 – May 2, 2025
While the first date in April/May is full, a second date will be released soon with a date range during the last week of May and returning home by June 14. Use the link to get a full itinerary or contact Jamie for assistance. There are only a few spaces remaining on the date to be released for June.
gateway.gocollette.com/link/1143865
Croatia and Its Islands
August 8 – 19, 2025
Croatia is one of the most exciting new destinations to visit with your accommodations in a private, four-star ship for a seven -night Adriatic Cruise. The ship has all the luxuries of a small cruise ship, and only 36 reservations are allowed for this tour. Visit the Blue Cave that is said to be one of Europe’s most beautiful caves with stunning blue waters so clear you can see 20 to 30 feet to the bottom. During your visit to Mljet National Park, there will be jaw dropping views of blue sky and water with lush green inbetweener. You will believe you are in a postcard. Krka National Park, the beautiful island of Vis, the debated home of Marco Polo and World Heritage sites are among other pieces to this tour. You can use the link to review the details of the tour or make your reservation today.
gateway.gocollette.com/link/1169098
Be watching for:
Dogwood Canyon
Wonders of Wildlife
Claremore and Beyond
New Theatre – “Newsies”
Overnight Diamond and Crystal Dig
Peru – July 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