Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro recently honored Judy Bowman for her creativity and adaptability in helping senior citizens achieve their fitness goals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judy Bowman leads the Silver Sneakers Fitness Program at the Alden Community Center. The program begins with a light aerobic marching exercise and then progresses to various exercises to build muscle and overall strength and stretching exercises to maintain flexibility and balance.

In March 2020, the Community Center abruptly closed its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judy quickly learned how to host a class using the virtual platform Zoom and continued the Silver Sneakers Fitness Program from her living room—five days a week. Her virtual class attendance increased to around 15 people per day and had local participants as well as others from Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida.

Judy Bowman returned to the Alden Community Center in July of 2021 with in-person class on Wednesdays which are also available online.

Legislator Todaro said, “Instead of putting the Silver Sneakers on hiatus during the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, Judy Bowman thought outside of the box and taught herself, with the help from her children, to use Zoom and teach the class right from her living room. I want to thank Judy for her commitment to helping senior citizens with their fitness goals and their mental well-being especially during a difficult time.”