Community

AARP Utah congratulates Gloria Stoddard for submitting the winning photograph of granddaughter Kaiya for our first "Grandkids are Grand" photo contest! For having the winning entry, Gloria will receive a $500 Amazon gift card.

Life Reimagined is about helping people navigate change and inspiring them with new possibilities. Our Life Reimagined Checkup offers you a fresh, personalized, authentic and thought-provoking approach to help you navigate the next phase of your life. It is the perfect way to help you figure out what you really want to do and how to get there, one step at a time. Your world is full of possibilities: new passions to pursue, work that’s rewarding, people to connect with, healthier ways to live.

It's time once again for Rocky Mountain Raceways' birthday bash, and AARP Utah helps them celebrate by teaming up with the Utah Food Bank for free admission to the races! Just bring five cans of food to the Raceways for the food bank and you'll get in free. It's the 19th birthday bash for the Raceways and will feature bounce houses, crafts, and treats in addition to all the run on the track.

By David Judd, URSEA Executive Director

Do you know an extraordinary volunteer age 50 or older? Show your appreciation by nominating him or her for the 2015 AARP Utah Andrus Award for Community Service. The annual Andrus Award for Community Service is AARP’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award. It recognizes individuals who are sharing their experience, talent and skills to enrich their communities in ways that are consistent with AARP’s mission, vision, and commitment to volunteer service, and that inspire others to volunteer.

AARP Utah will present its Real Possibilities University on Wednesday, May 13 at The District in South Jordan featuring speakers on brain fitness and financial fraud. Dr. Kevin Duff of the Brain Institute at the University of Utah will discuss how staying sharp improve brain fitness and memory. Keith Woodwell, Director of the Utah Division of Securities, will outline common scams in the state and provide tips on how to avoid becoming a fraud victim.

by Kaitlin Lounsberry, AARP blog author

This March, US Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx introduced the “Mayors Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets” initiative. This 18-month campaign challenges mayors and elected officials across the nation to take significant action to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities over the next year. In fact, the campaign encourages cities to recruit local grassroots and community organizations to assist in educating and addressing barriers to making streets safe and convenient for all road users. The DOT held a kick-off Summit last month.

Congratulations to AARP Utah's Community Outreach Director Jill Duke, who was honored April 17 as the Utah Food Bank's Board Member of the Year. The remarks by Board Chair Scott Jensen honoring her for this award follow below:

Despite news coverage of extreme weather, most Americans aren’t prepared for disasters, yet we have all seen the stories of families whose lives have been torn apart because of a weather-related disaster. But rather than use these reminders to brush up on their family emergency plans or prepare for disasters that might impact their communities, not enough Americans are taking action. In fact, a recent survey conducted by FEMA found that nearly 60 percent of Americans have not participated in an emergency drill at their school, home or workplace in the past year.