Activities & Events
Atwater Area Help for Seniors hosts a variety of social, educational, and wellness opportunities for our local seniors throughout the year. AAHFS also actively participates in community events and holds fundraisers such as the annual Lloyd & Darleen Hovey memorial golf tournament to raise awareness and funding for our program. Some of our ongoing & past events are highlighted below. Click here to view the event calendar.
Social Opportunities at AAHFS Office
Bingo every other Monday at 12:30 PM: April 22, May 6, May 20
Mexican Train Dominoes every other Tuesday at 12:30 PM: April 30, May 14, May 28
Coffee and treats served; Lunch available prior to the activity at 11:30 AM; to order, please call our office at 320-974-8737 by noon the Friday before
Men's Coffee Time every Thursday at 8:30 AM:
Coffee and treats provided
Solar Eclipse Viewing Event
Monday, April 8, 2024
AAHFS sponsored a bake sale as part of the solar eclipse event at the Atwater Public Library. Although clouds didn't allow the partial eclipse to be seen, more than 60 adults and children in attendance still enjoyed the event that featured a local amateur astronomer sharing information and NASA TV live streams of the eclipse across the U.S. Attendees also enjoyed free grilled hot dogs and chips provided by the Atwater Lions Club and hot & cold beverages offered by the Public Library.
Presidents Day 2024 Coffee & Caramel Rolls
Nearly 100 people took the opportunity to enjoy a morning of conversation along with coffee and the famous AAHFS caramel rolls. Attendees also were able to learn about the resources available from the Aging Eyes initiative. More than $1,000 was collected in the free will donation that will benefit program services to local older adults.
Lunch & Learn: Estate Planning
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Joel Gratz, CPA & managing partner, and
Lindsay Kranz, manager, of Christianson CPAs & Consultants shared valuable information about the process of planning for what will happen to your estate and reviewed the steps necessary to ensure your desires are accomplished effectively. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask specific questions. Hear Joel share key points about estate planning by clicking here to listen to Ask the Experts on KWLM Willmar's radio talk show.
Lunch & Learn: Funeral Preplanning
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Audrey Nelsen, Certified Preplanning Consultant at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home, presented information about the importance of planning ahead for funeral services and reviewed the costs of services. Funeral costs are predicted to increase up to 65% over the next 15 years, so preplanning and prefunding can lessen the financial burden on family, as well as making sure the family knows what arrangements their loved one wanted. For more information and for preplanning forms & checklists, click here to visit the Peterson Brothers website.
Atwater Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 7, 2023
AAHFS participated in Atwater's Third Annual Oktoberfest by sponsoring a bean bag fun toss. Thank you to all 57 participants, and congratulations to the winners: Roger Steinke - age 65 and older; Eric Wall - age 11-64; Carter Rogers - age 10 and under
Flower Garden Tour & Lunch
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
AAHFS arranged a visit for a dozen ladies to Dykstra Gardens near Blomkest, MN to view the extensive flower gardens and enjoy a homemade lunch featuring vegetable garden produce; free will donations benefit Wheelchairs for Guatemala.
Men's Coffee & Tractor Visit
Each August, the senior men are invited to the home of Dave & Joan Gatzmeyer to view and reminisce about tractors of vintages from the 1940s to present day owned by the Gatzmeyers and their neighbors. The group also enjoys coffee and homemade treats and leave with gifts of Joan's jelly and other home-canned items.
Atwater Festival Days June 2023
AAHFS proudly participated in Atwater's annual celebration: we kicked off the week with a community pork chop dinner, sponsored a fun run/walk, offered fresh-baked caramel rolls as a fundraiser, and drove our larger-than-life 35th anniversary cake in the parade. Thank you to all our volunteers who made it happen and to community members for your support!
Lunch & Learn: Toward Healthy Aging
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 | Atwater Community Center
Nancy Drange, a retired nurse practitioner formerly specializing in family medicine at CentraCare, offered education about the physical, cognitive, and social changes of aging and how you can adapt to maintain the quality of life you desire. Nancy discussed preventive care measures to be taken at 50, 60, and 70 years to help age healthfully, as well as foot care facts and advanced care planning. She also informed attendees about MyPlate.gov, a U.S. Department of Agriculture website that outlines healthy eating; click here to access the site's nutrition tips for older adults. Attendees enjoyed a chicken salad lunch provided by AAHFS.
Lunch & Learn: Diabetes Prevention & Management
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | Atwater Community Center
Lucy R. Brink, a nurse practitioner and certified diabetes care & education specialist with CentraCare, presented on diabetes awareness, risk factors, symptoms, and types. Attendees learned useful information about the pancreas' role in insulin production, insulin resistance, diabetes' effects, and the importance of glucose management through exercise and healthy eating. AAHFS served a healthful meal of turkey sandwiches, vegetable tray, and fruit. For information on the services, resources, and diabetes self-management education offered by CentraCare Diabetes Care, visit their website.
Lunch & Learn: Falls Prevention and Balance Improvement
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Atwater Community Center
AAHFS hosted a free presentation by Sarah Tarleton that provided tips on fall prevention and demonstrated skills to improve balance, strength, and fitness for seniors. Sarah is a Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) program manager at Ecumen of Litchfield, as well as a Master Certified Trainer for Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL), an evidence-based fall prevention program for older adults. For more information about the SAIL classes offered by AAHFS, visit our Health and Wellness page.
Lunch & Learn: Senior Scams and Safety
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 | Atwater Community Center
The Atwater Police Department and AAHFS hosted a free presentation by Detective Kent Baumann of the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office. More than 85 people attended and received information about frauds and scams active in our area, ways to protect ourselves from scam activity, and resources & next steps that scam victims can take. Resource information from Senior LinkAge Line was also provided (click here to download). Attendees also enjoyed a complimentary lunch from the Handle Bar provided by the Atwater PD.
Wellness Expo
September 20, 2022 | Atwater Community Center
More than 90 people attended the 2022 AAHFS Wellness Expo and received valuable health & wellness information, enjoyed snacks and lunch, and had a chance to win door prizes. Nineteen vendors participated, including home care, long-term care, hospice, mental health, chair massages, funeral home services, Atwater public library, and Senior LinkAge Line. Free COVID home test kits were available from Kandiyohi County Public Health; blood pressure screenings were administered by Ridgewater College nursing students; and 40 people received a flu shot from Homeland Health. Additionally, more than 1,700 pills were taken in for medication disposal. Thank you to our attendees, vendors, nursing students, and volunteers for a successful event!
Annual Lloyd B. Hovey Memorial Golf Tournament
July 16, 2022 | Island Pine Golf Club, Atwater, MN
The 2022 golf tournament raised more than $12,000 through golf team registrations, sponsorships, contest fees, and donations! Thank you to our golfers; golf hole sponsors and to all who gave donations; to Kevin Christoffers, Farm Bureau Financial Services, for sponsoring the hole-in-one opportunity; and special thanks to Josh Hagstrom, club pro, for putting together another flawless day of golf.
First Place Team
Zach Cunningham, Noah Cunningham, Aaron Lang, Josh Cunningham
Second Place Team
Dean Hovey, Nick Peterson, Jeff Linden, Eric Olson
Hole Contest Winners: Hole 1: Lauren Hultgren - Cooler bag w/snack items; Hole 3: Shannon Elton - Island Pine gift certificate; Hole 7: Jake Frericks - Quazar gift bag; Hole 9: Jake Frericks - Island Pine gift certificate; Hole 12: Lyle Gilberts - Quazar gift bag; Hole 14: Heidi Miller - Quazar gift bag; Hole 15: Jake Frericks - Island Pine gift certificate; Hole 18: John Cunningham - Quazar gift bag
Random Prize Drawings - Island Pine gift certificates: John & Carla Hagstrom, Lee & Deb Mickle, Larry & Sheila Rossell, Tom & Karen Jones
Raffle: Wick’s Meat Shoppe $100 gift card: Dean Hovey; portable fire pit donated by Jesse Hutchinson: Dawson Beck; handmade golf cart donated by Bruce Larson: Ron Garner