AARP Florida Names Sarasota Resident as Top Volunteer

Doug Heinlen to Serve Third Two-Year Term as AARP FL President

St. PETERSBURG, Fla. – AARP Southeast Regional Volunteer Director Wendy Brawley has reappointed Doug Heinlen of Sarasota as AARP Florida’s president, the organization’s highest-ranking volunteer in America’s grayest state. Heinlen, 67, will serve a third two-year term as AARP Florida president.

Heinlen has played an important role in improving community relations and increasing community service among AARP Executive Council members, connecting AARP with Floridians 50+ in many ways and on many issues.
Heinlen said he would continue to focus on engaging AARP members on a community level in the states. “It is my hope to continue to expand that in the next two years,” Heinlen said.

Heinlen, an Ohio native, has lived in Sarasota for the last 12 years, and has volunteered with AARP for 10 years.  As part of AARP Florida’s effort to support caring local non-profit organizations, Heinlen serves as a member of the Tidewell Hospice Board of Directors. Tidewell Hospice is one of the largest not-for-profit hospices in the U.S. and serves more than 1,200 patients daily in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. He is also a member of the Senior Friendship Centers Board of Directors.  Senior Friendship Centers is a non-profit network of centers in Southwest Florida with services that meet the needs of people 50 and older, and extend into the community with volunteer opportunities for all ages.

Heinlen said he believes passionately in community involvement. His “Coffee & Information” lecture and learning series, for example, has long been a Sarasota community resource. Heinlen said he would use his third term to draw attention to local organizations that work in association with AARP to improve the quality of life for those 50+.