- Community members can attend events focused on diabetes prevention, healthy eating, and brain health.
- The Elkhart County Parks is hosting a Winter Walking Club throughout January and February.
- Multiple blood drives are scheduled throughout the area, hosted by organizations such as the American Red Cross and South Bend Medical Foundation.
CLASSES
SOUTH BEND — The St. Joseph County Public Library, Community Learning Center, 305 S. Michigan St., is offering Yoga for EveryBODY from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Ballroom.
SOUTH BEND — RiverBend Cancer Services Wellness House, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., will offer the following “Living Well with Cancer” classes. All classes are free and open to cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers; pre-register for all classes by calling 574-287-4197 or e-mail programs@riverbendservices.org.
Feb. 24: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 1 p.m. Zen Coloring/BYO Craft; 5:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga.
Feb. 25: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 p.m. MELT.
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Feb. 26: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 10 a.m. Knitting Krew; 2 p.m. Dominoes.
Feb. 27: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 3 p.m. Zumba.
EVENTS/PROGRAMS
BRISTOL — The Elkhart County Parks is offering a weekly Winter Walking Club during January and February. On Feb. 25, meet at Briar Patch Shelter, Bonneyville Mill County Park, 53373 County Road 131 at 5 p.m. All ages are welcome. Dress for the weather.
GOSHEN — Dr. Rebecca Johnson from Goshen Physicians Family Medicine will lead a presentation on healthy eating and preparing meals for one from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 27. This free, informative session aims to provide practical tips and strategies for those looking to improve their dietary habits. In addition to the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a chair fitness demonstration provided by Purdue Extension of Elkhart County. There is no registration required. The program will be held in the Birch Conference Room, Goshen Hospital, 200 High Park Ave. For more information, contact CommunityEngagement@GoshenHealth.com or call 574-364-2496.
SOUTH BEND — Children ages 6 to 11 are invited to attend “Your Brain Power: Explore, Learn, and Grow!” from 4 to 5 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Story House in the St. Joseph County Public Library, 304 S. Main St. Join the University of Notre Dame Brain Ambassadors for a hands-on exploration of how your brain works when you are mad, how your brain remembers things and more. They will even have tips on how to work with our brain’s natural tendencies. Come with questions and curiosities.
SOUTH BEND — Real Services will present the six-week program titled “W.I.S.E. Wellness for Seniors” from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning Feb. 27 at the German Township Library Branch, 52807 Lynnewood Ave. The program offers six lessons that cover a range of topics, including learning about the aging process and making healthy lifestyle choices, risk factors and behaviors you should avoid to stay healthy, and more. Open to ages 60 and older.
VIRTUAL PROGRAM
Franciscan Health will host a virtual diabetes prevention program online starting April 8 at 5 p.m. Central/6 p.m. Eastern. The program follows guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that have been proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Groups meet weekly for a total of 16 sessions, prior to six monthly follow-up sessions with a trained lifestyle coach. Throughout the course of the program, participants work with a certified healthy lifestyle coach who will guide them in practices to lose weight, move more, reduce stress and build confidence.
The program is open to participants ages 18 and older who have been diagnosed with prediabetes and have a body mass index greater than 25. Those who had a previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes or a screening result indicating a high risk of type 2 diabetes are also eligible. This program is not for those who have previously been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
The year-long program costs $99 and is covered for approved Medicare beneficiaries. Registration is required and space is limited. To register, complete the DPP Qualifying Questionnaire online at https://franciscanhealthcare.formstack.com/forms/test_form_with_amy or email FranciscanDPP@FranciscanAlliance.org.
Those with questions about the program are asked to register for the virtual Q&A session online at register.gotowebinar.com/register/7869072120540479064. This Q&A session will be held at 5 p.m. Central/6 p.m. Eastern on April 1.
BLOOD DRIVES
The American Red Cross will hold the following drives. Register at redcrossblood.org:
• Edwardsburg American Legion, 25751 U.S. 12, Edwardsburg, 1 to 6 p.m. Feb. 24.
• First Baptist Church, 1011 S. Indiana Ave., Goshen, 12:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 24.
• Frank and Edward Skwiat American Legion Post 451, 121 Skwiat Legion Ave., Michigan City, noon to 5 p.m. CST Feb. 24.
• LaPorte County Family YMCA Michigan City Elston Branch, 1202 Spring St., Michigan City, 1 to 6 p.m. CST Feb. 25.
• Fireman’s Building, 1013 E. Arthur St., Warsaw, noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 25.
• Mishawaka High School, 1202 Lincolnway E., Mishawaka, 1 to 6 p.m. Feb. 27.
• Marquette High School, 306 W. Tenth St., Michigan City, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST Feb. 27.
Versiti Blood Center of Michigan will hold the following drives. Register at donate.michigan.versiti.org:
• Dowagiac Union High School, 701 W. Prairie Ronde St., Dowagiac, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 21.
• St. Joseph High School, 2521 Stadium Drive, St. Joseph, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 21.
• Dowagiac Housing Commission Lounge/Cafeteria, 100 Chestnut St., Dowagiac, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 22.
• Centreville High School, 190 Hogan St., Centreville, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 24.
• Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 18548 County Road 18, Goshen, 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 26.
• Franciscan Health, Maria Theresia Conference Room, 3500 Franciscan Way, Michigan City, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CST Feb. 26.
South Bend Medical Foundation will hold the following drives. Register at donorportal.givebloodnow.com:
• South Bend Fire Dept., 1222 S. Michigan St., South Bend, 9:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 21.
• Children’s Museum of South Bend, 2632 S. Michigan St., South Bend, 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 21.
• Saint Joseph Health System, 1915 Lake Ave., Plymouth, 10 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Feb. 21.
• VFW Post 2284, 69946 M-62, Edwardsburg, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22.
• Memorial Hospital, 615 N. Michigan St., South Bend, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 24.
• Beacon Central Office, 3245 Beacon Parkway, Granger, 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 25.
• IUSB Honors Program, 1700 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 26.
• Ava Zimmerman Memorial Drive, Howard Ellis Elementary School, 2788 Mannix St., Niles, 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 27.
