Volunteer Spotlight with Marion Ingram

Marion Ingram is a perfect example of what it means to be a volunteer. As a long-term AARP volunteer who has served the community for more than 15 years, Marion has contributed greatly to her county of Cape May, and to New Jersey as a whole.

Previously, Marion was a high school special education teacher. She then became an assistant high school principal and director of special education.

Now, as an AARP New Jersey volunteer, her work mainly focuses on legislative advocacy, which she has done for the Sea Isle and Ocean City chapters for about 10 years. Some of her most prominent work was done with Evelyn Liebman, AARP New Jersey’s Director of Advocacy, for the Watchdog Utilities Group. This group monitors proposed rate increases and other utility issues, especially those that affect people 50 and older.

Most recently, Marion has served on AARP New Jersey’s Congressional Volunteer Corp, working with every chapter in Cape May County to increase pledge signatures to send to her district’s congressman. This was done in support of the Stop Rx Greed Initiative, which works to lower prescription drug costs.

What excites Marion most about volunteering for AARP New Jersey is that she gets to meet so many interesting people while also serving the community. Something that pushes her to continue to volunteer with AARP New Jersey is how appreciative people are of the work she and her fellow volunteers do. She says she has had the opportunity to see so much growth at the county level, and enjoys the sense of appreciation and importance that comes from being able to engage directly with staff from AARP New Jersey.

When it comes to the impact AARP has had on Marion’s life, she says, “It keeps me going! There are always projects to be worked on.” But what Marion loves most is the impact that AARP has on the lives of others. “It’s the things that we are gaining for older adults. It has so much impact, but we still have a long way to go. The people that need this the most are the people that are not able to advocate for themselves. That’s the purpose of advocacy.”

Marion constantly suggests people volunteer with AARP, and is always looking for more engagement from younger volunteers. She hopes that newer and younger volunteers will join their local chapters and learn the skills that are necessary to maintain the important work of AARP.

Aside from volunteering with AARP, Marion is also a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) where she previously served on the New Jersey State Board. She has been very active in the AAUW’s STEM educational opportunities for high school and middle school girls. She also serves on the Cape May County Advisory Board for the Department of Aging.

When not working hard as a volunteer, Marion enjoys reading, gardening and reminiscing on her post-retirement adventure as a crew member on a sail boat to the Caribbean. Despite the cold nights of sailing, she loved this year-long journey. She also enjoys being a great grandmother and spending time with her three-year-old and six-month-old great grandkids.

If you’re interested in volunteering with AARP New Jersey, please fill out this short interest form.

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