A National Volunteer Week “Thank You” from AARP President Alicia Georges

As AARP’s National Volunteer President, I am so proud to be associated with all of our volunteers in the 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

As we marked our 60th anniversary in 2018, you carried forward the wonderful tradition of volunteer service that has always defined  AARP.  Across the country, you made a very positive difference in the lives of older adults and their families and in the life of our communities.

Volunteers are the face of AARP at the local level.  Last year, volunteers led almost two-thirds of our local events.
Whether it was advocating for caregivers or expanding Medicaid or fighting for affordable utility rates or making communities more livable for people of all ages or protecting people from scams and fraud or contributing in so many other ways, you were engaged and effective.

Let’s recount some results from your work.

At the state and local level:

• More than 36 million family caregivers are now better equipped to provide care to their loved ones.
• More people can age in place in more livable communities.
• Twenty million workers across 13 states have greater opportunities to increase their retirement savings.

At the federal level, our volunteers helped AARP beat back efforts by the pharmaceutical industry to slow the closing of the doughnut hole for Part D beneficiaries.

Across the country, volunteers played a highly visible and critical role in our “Be the difference.  Vote!” campaign.  Volunteers made sure the 50-plus voters had key information and encouraged them to vote.  You helped position AARP as the leading authority on older voters.  You insisted that candidates recognize and respond to the concerns of older adults on health care, financial security, and other issues.

It’s easy to be cynical, but it’s more productive and more satisfying to be engaged, to fight—and unite—for what is right.  That’s what you do—and that’s why AARP is such a powerful and respected advocate.
AARP is also a trusted source of information and support.

Volunteers make possible three highly respected programs:

• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers in all 50 states and DC helped low-income taxpayers file their tax returns and get the credits and deductions they earned.
• AARP Foundation Experience Corps volunteers in 21 cities helped more than 30,000 students in high-need elementary schools learn to read.
• AARP Driver Safety volunteers helped to keep older drivers independent, safe and confident behind the wheel.

In thousands of communities across the country, older adults and their families count on AARP to look out for them—to stand up for their interests, to help them unlock possibilities and overcome challenges.  As millions of people count on AARP, we count on you—nearly 60,000 AARP volunteers.

What a compelling example and high standard you set as you lead an active and hopeful life,  helping to fulfill the great promise of our communities, our states and our country.

I am deeply grateful to be part of your team.  Thank you for all that you do.