AARP CHICAGO AND CHICAGOLAND CHURCHES CELEBRATE 2018 BLACK HISTORY MONTH HEROES

  Chicago- In February and March, AARP Chicago, AARP Experience Corps and AARP’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in collaboration with 13 local churches celebrated 25 Black History Month Heroes. The Heroes were chosen by their churches and were current and retired Chicago Public School educators.

 

Working in partnership with church leaders who chose the awardees, AARP staff members and volunteers joined in Sunday services for the presentation of a beautifully framed piece of African Art from a local gallery and a special gift card.

“Teachers and administrators often go into their own pockets to buy schools supplies, shoes and clothing to assist students and their families,” said Ruby Haughton-Pitts, Director of AARP Advocacy and Outreach. “This is our small way of saying thank you”.

The heroes were from various age groups and were chosen by their church communities for their commitment, dedication, and significant contributions towards nurturing and educating the next generation.

The award recipients were from Trinity United Church of Christ, St. Stephens Lutheran Church, New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, Metropolitan Apostolic Church, Rock of Ages Baptist Church, Victory Apostolic Church, True Light, Maple Park Methodist Church, Chose Tabernacle, Crear Memorial Presbyterian, Apostolic Faith Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Bright Star.

“AARP Experience Corps mission is to inspire older adults” states Greg Brown, Branch Director of AARP Experience Corp. “We honor those who inspire us and whose contributions to Chicago’s African American Community should most certainly be acknowledged.”

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping people ages 50 and older and their families to improve their quality of life as they age. With over 38 million members nationwide (1.7 million in Illinois) and growing, we lead positive social change through our extensive product offerings and services.