Volunteering

One of Maryland’s hardest-working volunteers is the face of a new, national AARP print ad that will be seen in major newspapers around the country over the next several weeks.

Last week, I visited the Good Life Senior Center in downtown Springfield to wish our fantastic AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers a successful tax season. Led by local coordinator David Christopherson, these dedicated individuals were already hard at work, but took some time to talk with us about their experiences with the program.

As weight-lifters and models for fitness, Arnold Pereza, 70, and his wife, Leona, 67, are impressive advocates for “aging in place” homecare and a healthy, active lifestyle.

We've just finished up with the biggest volunteer season of the year. Over Thanksgiving and Christmas, we collect blankets and coats, help out at soup kitchens, and give to our favorite charities. What happens when those holidays are over?

Everyone loves a good story about high school sweethearts. Bob and Rosie Geyen's story is one of those. They met at a Waconia High School play and had their first date 50 years ago this January. Education was one of their many shared loves. Rosie taught 1st grade until the birth of their first child and was a substitute teacher over the years. Bob taught and administered in several Minnesota school districts.

It’s that time of year when lots of critical issues are being discussed and debated at the Kansas Legislature in Topeka. AARP Advocacy Director Ernie Kutzley is working with partners and volunteers to research issues, testify before legislative committees, and keep in constant contact with legislators. While AARP Kansas introduces and/or monitors dozens of the hundreds of bills that get introduced each year, there are several we are focusing our attention on in 2013.

Right now in every legislative district across the state, AARP volunteer advocates are meeting with legislators in advance of the legislative session.

From 2001 through 2009, the number of people age 50 and above struggling with hunger or lacking sufficient nutrition and food resources rose by almost 80 percent. Today, nearly 9 million older Americans are at risk of hunger. Unless we act, that number will only increase as the aging population grows.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The countdown to tax day begins…now! From February 1 through April 16, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide – the nation’s largest, volunteer-run, free tax preparation program – is ready to help taxpayers with basic federal and state income tax returns.