Donald and Angie Hamm, Answering the Call to Volunteer

AARP founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus once said, “The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.” Every day, people give their time to help members of our age 50+ community, people like Donald and Angie Hamm. They met Veronica de Lafuente, who leads AARP’s outreach work in the Rio Grande Valley, at a Life Reimagined event in Brownsville last year.

“When Veronica was telling me all the aspects of what AARP does for people over the age of 45, I just thought ‘Oh my God. There are so many people who lack that information, the knowledge of what AARP is about,'” says Angie. "We thought, we need to tell people in our age bracket what it is

The powerhouse couple decided to get involved.

“I’m a licensed nurse and work in the healthcare field. We’re dealing with patients and family members who lack the resources, and I think AARP offers a lot… beneficial to not only the elderly, but those who are caring for the elderly,” says Donald.

Together, Donald and Angie are changing the way AARP is viewed in South Texas. They not only volunteer at Brownsville events, but they also participate in volunteer-led meetings and help shape the Association’s work in their community.

“I love that we’re tapping into a different area of need that we are going to come into one day soon,” says Angie. “For me, educating myself and then being able to educate others about what AARP represents and what they have is what drives me to do this.”

Realizing the work that needs to be done in our community is what motivates these two pastors. If you think they only work with AARP think again. Donald and Angie divide their time between their church, the Brownsville food pantry, and their friends’ “Church on the Street.”

“Also, to network some of the entities in our community with what AARP does,” says Donald.

Volunteering was a calling for them, and it’s a calling they are ready and able to answer.

“One misconception that was cleared up for me is that AARP is not just about insurance. I want to be part of that movement that changes that perception in our community.”

“It’s very important that people get educated in certain areas and not feel that they are alone. There are entities out there that are there to help,” says Angie.