Community

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., -- To kick off November, Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and to help older Floridians recover from Hurricane Michael, AARP Florida is teaming up with the Alzheimer's Project to host the “Fill-A-Truck” event at the annual “Forget-Me-Not-Walk.” Alzheimer’s Project. Saturday, Nov. 4 at Cascades Park in downtown Tallahassee will kick off a day of events that will support North Floridians living with Alzheimer’s Disease and older Floridians affected by the hurricane.

With electricity, cell phone service and even landline communications knocked out or damaged in much of the eastern Florida Panhandle after Hurricane Michael, one major emerging need is for information about who needs help.

St. Petersburg, Fla. – AARP Florida Manager of State Operations Dionne Polite announced today that Ingrid Collins, an experienced association and business professional with deep roots in Central Florida, is joining AARP’s team of volunteers and staff as Associate State Director for Community Engagement in Central Florida.

Jacksonville, Fla. – Every year since 2001, AARP members, volunteers and staff have joined together in a National Day of Service to honor the victims, families and first responders of the 9/11 terror attacks. On Tuesday, Sept. 11, AARP volunteers and staff will step up again to serve homeless and struggling veterans in Jacksonville.

The 17 th anniversary of the Hispanic Women of Distinction Charity luncheon held on August 24 hosted by Signature Grand in Davie, Florida drew more than 900 guests including corporate partners, business leaders, media sponsors and more than 25 elected officials to pay tribute to Latina professionals who are strengthening the social fabric of this country and making inroads in the leadership pipeline for a growingly diverse America. The highly promoted celebration brought to the forefront the contributions of Hispanic women from South Florida. More than 75 nominations were submitted by past honorees and community leaders and judges selected 12, “ la crème de la crème”.

St. Petersburg, Fla. - AARP Florida State President Donna Ginn of Miami has appointed an Orlando community leader, Jerome T. Williams, to a team of AARP Florida volunteer leaders. The AARP Florida Executive Council is a team of volunteers from across the state that exemplifies leadership that supports the execution of AARP priorities statewide.

Tampa, Fla. – AARP Florida State Director Jeff Johnson today announced that a longtime Havana activist who pioneered an effective, innovative program helping Gadsden County families and students improve performance in school has received a new AARP award for outstanding community activists.

This September, The Cultural Heritage Alliance for Tourism invites AARP members to a historic Gospel Brunch Tour Experience and the cultural immersion tours of South Florida’s Heritage Neighborhoods at special rates exclusive to AARP members.

In a joint AARP-POLITICO poll released today, Florida voters age 50 and over do not feel better off financially despite a growing economy. The poll also found that Social Security and health care will be very important to 50-plus voters when they cast ballots for Congress in the mid-term elections, and they are deeply concerned about the future of Medicare. 

Hurricane season starts in June, and AARP Florida is encouraging everyone to be prepared. Residents should consider whether their health would suffer without air conditioning or fresh water, and should have at least three days’ worth of supplies.