Volunteering

If you’re trying to sell your timeshare, be forewarned about a timeshare resale scam.

Elliott Greenblott of Brattleboro, VT has been named as the 2016 winner of the AARP Andrus Community Service Award. AARP’s most prestigious volunteer honor, the award is named for AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, an educator and tireless advocate of community service and volunteerism. Andrus coined the motto, “To Serve, Not to be Served,” which remains part of the AARP credo to this day.

Cars have changed. So have the traffic rules, driving conditions, and the roads you travel every day. Some drivers age 50-plus have never looked back since they got their first driver's licenses, but even the most experienced benefit from brushing up on their driving skills.

AARP Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service, is seeking volunteers to assist in tax preparation. Tax season, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers help prepare federal and state tax returns for low and middle income taxpayers with special attention to those 60 and older. Volunteers of all backgrounds are welcome and some computer skills are an extra bonus. You do not need to be an AARP member nor a retiree and no prior experience in tax preparation is necessary. All ages are welcome. Volunteers are needed not only to calculate taxes, but to greet taxpayers to keep the site running smoothly.

We are headed into a critical election both nationally and locally; and voters deserve to know how candidates will lead. The future of Social Security needs to be a critical part of the debate for President. As for state level elections, if a candidate wants to be Governor, they should be able to tell us their plans to address transportation needs and the rising cost of our utilities. We need your help to ensure issues facing older adults are top of mind for our next Governor.

As the state gears up to elect its next governor, AARP is offering members a chance to meet the candidates and learn their positions on issues important to Vermonters age 50-plus. AARP will host an information and training session for those interested in talking with candidates about their plans to improve transportation infrastructure, for example, or to keep utilities affordable. Volunteers will facilitate discussions of key issues at town hall meetings and other events, or through social media. “This is a great chance to get involved in the race for governor without getting tangled in partisan politics,” said Greg Marchildon, AARP state director. The session will be held at the AARP state office, 199 Main St., Suite 225, in Burlington, on Friday, July 1, from 10 a.m to noon. Snacks will be provided.

At AARP, we are all about real possibilities and helping you discover “What’s Next” in life.

Congratulations go out to Doug Masson of Cambridge who was recently recognized as Volunteer of the Year for the Northeast region of the AARP Driver Safety Program. Doug is well deserving of the award and is an example of the kind of volunteer who routinely goes above and beyond -- for both his students and in supporting the statewide program. Dave Peters, former state coordinator for Vermont shared the following upon nominating Doug for this recognition:

Mr. Johnson, a former farmer, is not allowed outside for walks. You hear rumors that there is not enough staff at your local nursing home. Would you like to have a positive impact on situations like these, but don't know how?

Elliott Greenblott of Brattleboro, VT participated in the graduation ceremony for the AARP’s Volunteer Leadership Institute or VLI in Washington, DC in February. He was joined by 32 other exceptional volunteers from all across the country. Richard Harwood, founder and president of the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, was a guest speaker.