FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.—The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness has received a $1 million donation from The Daniel J. Loepp Family Foundation to expand programming and facilities for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
The gift will fund construction of a new 2,700-square-foot multipurpose gym at the center’s Farmington Hills facility, support expanded programming, and establish an endowment for ongoing coach training and recertification.
The Kirk Gibson Center, which opened in October 2025, offers free, evidence-based exercise, education, and wellness programs for individuals impacted by Parkinson’s disease. The facility currently offers more than 140 classes each week and serves more than 1,000 members, with membership expected to double over the next year.
The expansion will allow the center to expand its offerings for its PWR! Moves program, a Parkinson’s-specific exercise program focused on mobility, balance, strength and everyday movement. The new gym will also create additional space for classes, including Tai Chi, yoga, and dance.
Since opening, programs and activities at the center have consistently operated at or near capacity, according to the organization.
“I am thankful to Amy and Dan for their continued support in the fight against Parkinson’s. Exercise and movement are crucial, and being able to bring more opportunities and programs to the center because of their generosity is going to help so many in our Parkinson’s community,” says Kirk Gibson.
The center uses the InMotion Approach, an integrated wellness model designed to help counter symptoms of Parkinson’s disease through movement-based programming and social engagement. The organization describes itself as the first facility of its kind in Michigan dedicated to Parkinson’s wellness.
The donation will also support the hiring and training of additional coaches, allowing the center to more than double the number of PWR! Move classes offered each week.
“My father lived with Parkinson’s for more than a decade, and there was no place like the Kirk Gibson Center for him. When Amy and I walked in and saw members and caregivers together with everything this center offers, it hit us personally. This gift is our family’s way of honoring my dad and helping ensure the Gibson Center can continue to grow and serve the thousands of people who live with Parkinson’s every day,” says Dan Loepp, president of The Daniel J. Loepp Family Foundation.
Construction on the new gym has already begun and is expected to be completed by August 2026.
