Volunteering

By Ellen Chang

It’s that time of year, folks! It’s time to celebrate and recognize our outstanding volunteers during National Volunteer Week. In Texas, we’d like to highlight several outstanding folks who have gone above and beyond for their communities. Without the help of our committed volunteers, our Texas communities would not be the same.

Retired Austin Municipal Judge John Vasquez, now a San Antonio resident, is the newest member of the AARP Texas Executive Council.

As National Volunteer Month winds down, we salute the life and service of centenarian and former Andrus Award winner Frank Kormos of Dallas.

Lydia Oliphant decided to try out volunteering with AARP in Houston at the recommendation of her friend’s daughter. Now, more than two years later, she's pitched in a multitude of ways, including with Fraud Watch Network talks, walkability audits and events for family caregivers.

Volunteering is not out of the ordinary for Sunny Fitzwater; in fact, she grew up with it. From a young age, Sunny’s parents taught her the importance of volunteering, and she also instilled this value in her children. Each of them volunteer in their communities.

At age 78, Manuel Garza of Brownsville is a fighter—he supports and fights for issues near and dear to his heart.

In a big city like Houston, where many residents depend on their vehicles, it can be difficult to find safe sidewalks. Volunteer Mari Okabayashi is working with AARP to make Houston a more walkable community for people of all ages.

From registering Texans to vote, to helping women get educations, to advocating for family caregivers, Eva Bonilla gives back to the Fort Worth community--and beyond. In honor of Women’s History Month, Eva Bonilla one of twelve Latina women being featured in the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History's "Mujeres Poderosas: The Legacy of Strong Latinas in Fort Worth" exhibit, which opens on March 4.

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.