Volunteering

Summer is winding down and its time to start thinking about planning for winter. Last year AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, a free, Volunteer-run tax assistance program prepared over 1700 tax returns in Montana for taxpayers with low- and moderate-income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. We are hoping to expand the program this year and are looking for volunteers who are willing to help us anytime from February 1 to April 15 th. There are many kinds of opportunities available— from tax preparers to greeters, as well as communications, technology and administrative coordinators. Training will be provided, so you don't have to be a tax expert to help. Apply at www.aarp.org/taxaide. Your help will be appreciated more than you can imagine.

Do you live in West Hawaii and have questions about Social Security? Through the wonders of technology you can now get help from a live person.

Whether you have health insurance through an employer, are covered through Medicare, or are currently without coverage – now is a good time to learn how the Affordable Care Act can help you and your family.

My name is Lynne McMullen and I recently began a new job developing SNAP outreach efforts to help Minnesota nonprofits combat hunger among senior citizens. When I began this assignment I had little understanding of the physical, mental and emotional impact hunger has on thousands of older Minnesotans.

The following is a guest post from AARP Experience Corps staff member Jake Cashman. The post contains information for volunteers on mandatory background checks.

While working towards a degree in the University of Michigan sociology department, a graduate adviser asked if he knew anything about aging, Dr. Anthony (Tony) Lenzer recalled in an interview.

I see the power of the volunteer firsthand. AARP volunteers work every day to help people 50+ turn dreams into real possibilities, to strengthen communities and to fight for issues that matter to families.

John Meredith of Colorado Springs was recently named Colorado AARP Foundation Tax-Aide State Coordinator. He will oversee the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites and more than 300 volunteers, who prepare tax returns free of charge each year for low- to moderate-income families.

Nearly nine million Americans 50 years of age or older are at risk of daily hunger, a whopping 79 percent increase over the past decade. Thanks to the tough economy and an aging population, that number will likely continue to grow at an alarming rate.

Rikki Nelthropp joins the AARP VI Executive Council