Appreciating Our Volunteers: Alvetia E. Smith

In celebration of National Volunteer Appreciation Week 2016, AARP CA is shining a light on our esteemed volunteers – a group that continually brings enthusiasm and deep knowledge to the work done here in the California office. In the midst of this lively and charismatic group of volunteers, we find Alvetia E. Smith.

Hepp, Joy M

Alvetia polished her unique skills for creativity and steadfastness during the 42 years she worked with the United States Postal Service as Manager of Customer Service. For 22 of the 42 years she worked for the Postal Service, Alvetia was also in the Reserves for the United States Army. After retiring from both the Postal Service and the U.S. Army, Alvetia was looking for a way to use the skills she had learned to make a difference. The president of a Los Angeles AARP Chapter invited Alvetia to a meeting, where she realized that she could use her skills to help those in her community. Shortly after, Alvetia became the president of that same L.A. chapter and rallied to raise membership to 200 people.

As a volunteer, some of Alvetia’s favorite memories have come during AARP’s Movies for Grownups. “You get to see so many of your peers having a good time and see a good movie at the same time,” Alvetia says.

In her work and in life, Alvetia is motivated by the fact that she is in good health and has the ability to volunteer; she says she does not want to waste this opportunity to help others while she has it. “It keeps you young, because you’re so involved with helping those around you that your own issues fade,” she says. When she began volunteering with AARP CA, Alvetia was pleasantly surprised at all of the amazing things AARP has to offer to the 50+ community, such as informational classes, social events and advocacy work. In her spare time Alvetia loves scrapbooking, and she spends a fair amount of time in Colorado Springs where her granddaughters are track stars.

AARP CA would like to show our appreciation for Alvetia and her commitment to the AARP mission.

Do you know someone like Alvetia, who is using his or her skills and experience to make a significant difference in your community? If so, honor his or her dedication, commitment, and creativity with a nomination for the 2016 AARP California Andrus Award for Community Service — AARP’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service. Nominations for this year’s award will be accepted through June 3, 2016 at the AARP California office.  Nomination forms are available by contacting Antoine Cook at (626) 585-2608, on the web at www.aarp.org/AndrusAward or by calling 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). - See more at: https://states.aarp.org/appreciating-volunteers-sal-medina/#sthash.rxKUTuVV.dpuf