WOW Van brings mobile pop up to seniors throughout Salem

Whitney Woodworth, Salem Statesman Journal
Staff and volunteers with Center 50+ lead people in activities at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem on Thursday. The award-winning Wellness on Wheels Van will be appearing at four locations through the next few days, while Center 50+ is closed for annual maintenance through Labor Day.
Staff and volunteers with Center 50+ lead people in activities at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem on Thursday. The award-winning Wellness on Wheels Van will be appearing at four locations through the next few days, while Center 50+ is closed for annual maintenance through Labor Day.

The award-winning WOW (Wellness on Wheels) Van will pop up at four locations over the next few days while the Center 50+ is closed for annual maintenance through Labor Day.

The WOW Van serves as a mobile senior center, traveling throughout Salem and approaching wellness in creative ways and focusing on many aspects of wellness for older adults.

The WOW Van posted up at the base of the Soap Box Derby Track at Bush's Pasture Park Thursday morning for refreshments, a beading craft and tai chi.

Center 50+ staff member Jasmine Celio and Carrie Berndt make beaded keychains during an activity at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem. The Wellness on Wheels Van will return to the park from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday for a watercolor activity near the Soap Box Derby Track.
Center 50+ staff member Jasmine Celio and Carrie Berndt make beaded keychains during an activity at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem. The Wellness on Wheels Van will return to the park from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday for a watercolor activity near the Soap Box Derby Track.

Other pop-ups will include:

  • Zucchini Races at Salem Saturday Market on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 865 Marion St. NE. "Zucchini is abundant this time of year," city officials said. "Bake, roast, fry and even make noodles out of zucchini, but be sure to race them first!" All entries are free, and zucchini will be available, along with wheels and axles, tools and accessories to decorate a zucchini racer. The Zuke 500 Pit Crew will be available with expert assistance.

  • Let’s Dance on Sunday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gerry Frank Rotary Amphitheater in Riverfront Park. The community sock hop is put on by the Center 50+, the South Salem Senior Center and the Keizer Senior Center. Attendees can dance to records from the '50s, '60s and '70s spun by DJ Freddie & KBZY Radio's Charlie Fox. Admission is $5 at the door. Event proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association, Boys and Girls Club of Salem, and the Center for Hope & Safety.

  • Bush’s Pasture Park Pop-up on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Mission Street near the base of the Soap Box Derby Track. The WOW crew will be back with coffee and morning refreshments, and a "Watercolor in the Park" craft.

Teresa Joslin, a volunteer with Center 50+, holds up her beaded keychain during a pop-up activity with the Wellness on Wheels Van at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem.
Teresa Joslin, a volunteer with Center 50+, holds up her beaded keychain during a pop-up activity with the Wellness on Wheels Van at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem.

"Recognized nationally for its innovation, the Center 50+ Wellness on Wheels program received the Modernizing Senior Centers Innovation Award this year from the National Council on Aging’s National Institute of Senior Centers Program of Excellence," city officials said. "Center 50+ is one of only seven senior centers recognized nationally as going above and beyond to provide older adults in their communities with helpful resources and opportunities to prevent social isolation."

The WOW Van has roamed throughout Salem this summer to help people connect with others and exercise their brains and bodies. All ages are welcome at the upcoming events.

Discover where else the WOW Van is going and where it’s been at salemor.gov/WhereisWOWNow.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on X at @wmwoodworth.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: WOW Van brings mobile pop up to seniors in Salem

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