Volunteering

As AARP Michigan gears up for this year’s version of You’ve Earned a Say, at least one factor will remain constant from our highly successful 2012 YEAS effort: Volunteers again will play an essential role.

As we continue our bimonthly e-newsletter in 2013, we’ve learned that our chapter members continue to raise money for good causes, increase chapter membership and also experience life’s ups-and-downs.

Homebound seniors struggling financially find it difficult to eat healthy, nutritious food on a regular basis. Virginia’s Meals on Wheels programs work to meet this critical need by delivering hot meals to qualified recipients. Currently there is a need for volunteer drivers to help keep this program viable in Virginia’s Southwest. http://www.loaa.org/volunteer-opportunities/

AARP and the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Association are sponsoring a free CarFit event in partnership with AAA at Kaimuki High School on Saturday, April 6 (8 a.m. – noon). The event teaches older drivers to adjust their vehicles for maximum safety and comfort on the road. It’s free and open to the public but registration is requested. Call toll-free 1-888-926-8300 or register online http://bit.ly/127TIlp.

By Kay Nolan • When AARP Wisconsin staff member Mariann Muzzi began to organize a program that helps people plan for their emotional, social and financial well-being in retirement, it hit her: “I need to be doing this for myself.”

With the state’s population aging and becoming increasingly diverse, AARP Oregon is seeking volunteers to serve on its Diversity Advisory Council.

By Laura Mecoy • When she became eligible for Medicare, Pat Kersbergen assembled a 4-inch-thick accordion folder of materials, created spreadsheets of the different plans and was overwhelmed by information overload.

Roger McAlpin, state coordinator for AARP Driver Safety, has led more than 70 classes, teaching new techniques and reviewing some of the oldies with students who have been driving for 40, 50 or 60 years.

By Janice Brewster • At one of 15 food drives sponsored by AARP Ohio last year, volunteer Ed Cokley handed special bags to customers as they entered a Dayton grocery store. Shoppers used the bags to purchase nonperishable food to donate.

In cooperation with the nonprofit Iowa Food Bank Association and Spindustry Digital, a marketing agency based in Des Moines, AARP helped create and is promoting a virtual food drive.