A Spotlight on Bettie Allred, AARP South Boston Chapter

Located 30 miles east of Danville and between Danville and Clarksville, South Boston is the home of the local AARP chapter’s president, Bettie Allred. Although newly elected last year, Allred is not a newcomer to AARP leadership. In previous years, she served as secretary, and has been volunteering since her retirement in 2003.

The South Boston chapter meets on the third Tuesday of each month with about 30 members in attendance. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the chapter did not meet in March or April. During, and in addition to, their monthly meetings, the South Boston Chapter hosts speakers, distribute door prizes, and collect non-perishable food for older adults.

Giving back to the community is a goal that the chapter strives to undertake. The Good Samaritan Program where individual bring can goods and nonperishable food to monthly chapter meetings is a way to give back to the community. All food is given and distributed by The Good Samaritan Organization. In addition, the Seniors Helping Seniors program asks each person attending the meeting to donate at least $1, which go towards medical or utility bills for older adults.

To increase membership involved, the chapter sponsors trips and tours monthly. In March, the chapter planned a trip to Lancaster, PA to watch the play “Esther,” which was cancelled because of COVID-19. During July 4, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, the chapter sponsors a potluck, and sing-a-long, respectfully.

Because of the community relationships, fellowship, and watching people interact, these were motivational factors for Allred to become involved and stay involve after she retired from her job as an Eligibility Specialist in 2003 from Halifax County Department of Social Services. In this position, she determined eligibility and aid for dependent children and Medicaid.

Allred is well known in her community and often gives some sound advice to new AARP members. She often tells them their community involvement will be rewarding and fulfilling by meet new friends, planning, presenting and attending programs, and just fellowshipping with others in their community.

Besides her involvement in AARP, Allred was exercising at YMCA, attended art classes, and meeting friends to work on art projects. She hopes that she will continue to go back to the things she loves. In addition, she has sung in Community Choir at Christmas, taught Sunday School, participates in Moms in Prayer (praying for children and grandchildren, especially high school and college students), and meets once a month with a group called Tender Loving Christian Sisters at Mary’s Diner in Danville.

How did Allred become president of the South Boston Chapter? After serving in the role of secretary for at least two years, she was asked to continue in this role. When she said “No,” she was asked to be on the slate for president. This was a role Allred knew would be challenging, but she was up for the task of taking this leadership role and continue serving the South Boston area.

Allred has one son, a beautiful daughter-in-law and four grandchildren. Her son is a cardiologist and her daughter-in-law is a minister. They live in Greensboro, NC where they visited often prior to the stay-at-home order. Allred is looking forward to once again attending AARP meetings, resuming her other activities, and especially vising her child and grandchildren.