Orange Mound Energizers spread joy to community through dance

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As people get older, it’s recommended to stay active, exercise and move around.

A group of ladies in Orange Mound is making it easier and fun for seniors to stay active.

The Orange Mound Energizers formed in 1982.

Vanessa Saine, the instructor for the Energizers, tells FOX13 that she started the group to help seniors stay active.

“Working with seniors, I realized that we need to be active, they need to have fun, so we started doing folk dance,” said Saine.

The group evolved from folk dancing to line dancing. Saine tells FOX13 the Energizers perform at different events and senior centers across the city of Memphis. Each performance follows a theme.

“We did Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin. One year we did Gospel. One year we did country, so we would put a theme and put a lot of work into our performances,” said Saine.

Mary Kyles joined the Energizers in 2013 after she discovered the group during a church choir practice at the Orange Mound Community Center.

“I came in and I was just so amazed,” Kyles told FOX13.

Kyles said she signed up right away.

“I was at the front desk signing up because I wanted to go to a line dance class,” said Kyles.

Outside of staying active, Kyles told FOX13 she enjoys the friendships she’s made.

“We’re a big family,’” said Kyles.

The Energizers has quickly grown to roughly 70 ladies ranging from ages 50-70. Lillie Jackson decided to join the Energizers in 2011 after hearing the group performing after an aerobics class.

“I quit aerobics, came to line dancing, and I’ve been here ever since,” Jackson told FOX13.

Jackson also enjoys the friendships she’s made since joining.

“I just like being around people who are in my age group with the same interest,” said Jackson.

As the group dances across Memphis, Saine told FOX13 the hope is to get other seniors involved and help uplift their spirits.

“To see them dance with us, it gives us purpose that we’ve done our job,” said Saine.

The Energizers meet twice a week for two hours at the Orange Mound Community Center. If you want to join the group, you can sign up at the front desk at the Orange Mound Community Center.

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