Golden Age Karate Brings Holiday Cheer to Seniors

Jeffrey Wall is a karate instructor who started Golden Age Karate, offering karate lessons to nursing home residents and senior centers in the Dayton area. When he realized that many of his students and other residents weren’t receiving a lot of visitors around the holidays, he decided to bring a little holiday cheer to them with the help of his online following. What makes this even more remarkable is that he’s a teenager and a college student making time for this amazing work.

You can help him make Christmas magic for seniors in the area by donating. His Venmo is Jeffrey-Wall-13. Share and follow along at @goldenagekarate on Instagram.

Getting Started Teaching Karate to Seniors

Jeffrey explains that the idea came to him at the age of thirteen: “I was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame and had achieved my black belt ranking in Tang Soo Do at the age of 13. I wanted to serve my community and tried to think of who would need the companionship and exercise the most and that led me to the elderly population, and it was a hit with the first group, so I decided to continue to expand to other nursing homes and senior centers.”

Bringing Christmas Gifts and Friendship

For a few years now, Jeffrey has expanded his vision of how he can help seniors to include bringing them Christmas gifts – and not just for his students: “Well, I just loved my students so much and I literally was spending so much time with them that when the holidays came around, and I realized that the visitors still weren’t really coming, I though ‘well shoot, I should make the December class a holiday party.’ But when I saw the looks on the faces of the residents that were not in the class, it really made me think that if I got community support, I could take care of everyone whether or not they came to class. My social media friends and family now help to support me and they come in clutch every year!”

Why These Gifts Matter

Jeffrey explains that these seniors “are so grateful, many of them do not get visitors at all and I adopt everyone, not just my students, so to see how excited they are to know that we thought of them and it didn’t come with any strings attached means so much. When i first started, the rest of the seniors always felt like I only did things to show love to my students, but I was excited that I have enough community support to show love to all of them.”

Secret Santas to the Rescue

It may be true that it’s the thought that counts, but these gifts are more than just thoughtful – many are practical and substantial, too! Jeffrey explains, “These are not stocking stuffers –  they are getting air fryers, croc pots, electric blankets, massagers; you name it. I try to make them feel like they are getting gifts from family.”

And some Secret Santas add some extra cheer, as well: “This year we had an artist that donated a custom portrait for one of my students that lost her daughter unexpectedly this year. She has no idea, and I will give it to her in private, but its the little things like that that make this so special. My Santas want their seniors to just have a really great day.”

Golden Age Secret Santas come from all over the globe: Ohio, Hawaii, Canada, Germany and even Australia. “I’m just a college student and teenager, I could never have done this alone,” explains Jeffrey.

How Can People Help?

Donate on Venmo: Jeffrey-Wall-13

Like and Share on Instagram: @goldenagekarate

Donate Wrapping Paper and Supplies (Jeffrey says, “You would be surprised how much wrapping paper I go through each year.”)

Making a Difference

Jeffrey encourages other young people to get involved in their communities: “It makes me feel great to know I started something that makes a difference and to counter the horrible news that we see every day feels like a really big deal. Especially being only 19, I think it gives other teens ideas on how they can serve their communities as well. This year I got a small grant from Youth House Dayton and Caring Transitions Dayton and I don’t think the youth realize that our community is willing to support us if you are doing great things. You are not alone, and when we all pitch in we can do amazing things.”

Specifically working with seniors is a great idea to getting more involved in your community. Jeffrey explains, “Reach out to the directors, and do what you love – if they are open to martial arts, they will be open to anything that you love as well: art, knitting, yoga, literally simple visits, anything. They just want to have meaningful relationships, consistency and something to look forward to.