Volunteering

UPDATED: Sept. 25, 2013, 10 a.m.: As they await the birth of their first grandchild, Fred and Martha “Marty” Smith know that books and reading will play a large role in their life with their grandson or granddaughter.

Connie comes to Good Mojo in Norfolk, VA every week to volunteer for a few hours. She dusts, straightens and remerchandises the housewares section.　 It may not sound like life changing work but to ForKids client, Randy and her rising 2nd and 4th grade kids, Connie’s time has been transformational.　 Due in large part to volunteers like Connie, Good Mojo was able to provide Randy with interview clothing and she now has 2 jobs to make ends meet.　 Further, Randy was able to get pots, pans and dishes from Good Mojo for her new kitchen when she moved out of ForKids’ emergency shelter. 　Randy is back on track but ForKids needs more Connies to let us help more Randys as they strive to overcome homelessness.

Colorado is a state filled with pet lovers. According to Forbes Magazine, Colorado Springs ranks in the Top 20 communities of pet owners and a walk through any Colorado Farmer’s Market provides plenty of anecdotal confirmation! Another bit of interesting trivia, according to a pet calculator provided by the American Veterinarian Medicine Association there are approximately 1.3 million pets in Colorado. When one looks at this data under the lens of a recently released AARP Foundation report that found 8.8 million Americans 50 and older are at risk of hunger, including 4.9 million 50- to 59-year-olds, one can see a correlation between a pet owner’s food insecurity and issues with attaining their pet supplies.

Greetings,

AARP New Hampshire is looking for an AmericaCorps VISTA to develop and implement a volunteer structure over the course of his/her service year.

Health care and access to insurance are complex issues - and with new provisions of the federal Health Care Law (Affordable Care Act) taking effect, Nevadans want to learn more. Would you like to help?

Check out this inspiring volunteer story from our friends at the Spring Institute...

We are delighted to announce that Onie Johns is the state winner of the AARP Tennessee Andrus Award. This is AARP’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award, given to recognize outstanding people who positively impact the lives of people in their community. Onie Johns grew up on a farm in rural Mississippi during the 50’s and 60’s, an experience that laid the foundations for her strong connection to community. In 2006 she founded The Caritas Village. The Village is a community center, coffee shop and cultural art center located in the heart of Binghamton in the Memphis area. The mission of the Village is to break down the walls of hostility between races, build bridges of love and trust between the rich and those made poor and provide a positive alternative to the street corners for the neighborhood children.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the nation's largest, free tax assistance and preparation program, is looking for people like you, to help thousands of older, middle- and low-income Massachusetts residents ease tax-time stress. With special attention to those age 60 and older, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides face-to-face assistance at nearly 250 sites across Massachusetts.

Donelda McWilliams of Defiance will be presented with AARP’s most prestigious volunteer honor. Her dedication and generous efforts will be recognized with the 2013 AARP Ohio Andrus Award for Community Service during a celebration taking place at Defiance College on Saturday, October 5.