ORANGE CITY, Fla. — In Volusia County, there's a woman who volunteers to help the senior population stay active, healthy and relaxed. She does it in the memory of her mother.

What You Need To Know

  • Blanca Cintron helps keep seniors in Orange City active, healthy and relaxed 

  • She was motivated to help seniors after her mother was diagnosed with dementia 

  • Cintron started volunteering in New York and continues doing so through video conferencing 

An exercise class doesn't always have to be held at a fitness center. In fact, Blanca Cintron finds the Activity Room at the Wava Hall Senior Center in Orange City to be just fine.

Each Wednesday, she puts seniors through an hour of stretching, meditation and balance work. Many of the seniors have become her friend, and they ask for her.

Why does Cintron do this? The answer is simple.

"Because it gives me a thrill to see how happy they are when they do the exercise," Cintron said. "They say that when you give, you receive more, and I've been blessed."

Cintron did not do this as a career before retiring. She was actually in the manufacturing industry. She became interested in helping seniors after her mother was diagnosed with dementia.

"I had to go to support groups because I didn't know what dementia was when I first learned about it, so the support group helped me a lot," Cintron said.

The groups taught her how to work with her mom and redirect her. Cintron's mother passed away in 2019.

Fast forward to 2022, Blanca moved from New York to Central Florida, and her focus is on her new friends and keeping them active and zealous.

"I am blessed, and I always thank God, every day, for being here," Cintron said.

Cintron also still volunteers with her regulars in New York — over video conferencing.