Bayside AARP Chapter Receives Chapter Education Award

Virginia Volunteers Honored for Community Service

 

VIRGINIA BEACH_ AARP Virginia selected the AARP Bayside Chapter in Virginia Beach for the prestigious AARP Chapter Education Award.

 

This year, the chapter has been donating food items and paper products to Vets House of Virginia Beach. The items are collected from members at monthly meetings and are also distributed to food pantries for 5 local churches in Virginia Beach.

 

The AARP Bayside Chapter #4798 is a “small chapter of 40 members, but has a big heart.”

 

The Chapter collects Farm Fresh Market receipts, box tops (labels for education), and Kroger Market receipts for points which are given to Shelton Park Elementary School, Virginia Beach. They use these receipts to purchase electronic games, computer accessories, and sports equipment. In 2014, $9500 was collected in grocery receipts; by May 2015, $6500 was collected for the school year ending in June.

The following program speakers have presented literature and information at General Meetings: Fun Tour Directors, Jen-Care-A Clinic for Seniors, Lions Club, Woodlawn Funeral Homes, Epilepsy Foundation of VA, Citizens Committee to Protect the Elderly, and many others.

The Chapter also collects donations from members, holds bake sales, yard sales, and a Fudge Sale with Hannah's Hallmark, Virginia Beach. Members have volunteered numerous hours doing various tasks, i.e. AARP Tax-Aide, Meals on Wheels, visiting home-bound persons as well as hospitals and nursing homes.

The Chapter Education Award was presented to the chapter at the All-Volunteer Assembly Recognition Awards Banquet in Staunton on November 12, 2015.

 

The Chapter Education Award is given to a chapter which has implemented educational programs that improve the lives of our members and those of the community. Educational programs can include workshops, displays, resource tables, or co-sponsorship of events addressing the needs and interests of the 50+ population. Special emphasis is placed on educational programs addressing the health, financial, and independent living needs of our members and promoting awareness and appreciation of life after fifty.

 

AARP Virginia also recognized volunteers with the following awards at the banquet:
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. Only one Virginia volunteer (or couple performing service together) can receive the Award.

Elvira B. Shaw Advocacy Award: The Elvira B. Shaw Advocacy Award was created in 2013 in memory of Elvira Beville Shaw’s outstanding service as an advocate for over 40 years on behalf of AARP Virginia. The annual recipient of this award may be an individual or a team who has demonstrated dedication to AARP’s legislative priorities, effectiveness in advocacy outcomes, and exceeded the call of duty in their willingness to serve.

Gordon Morton Award : The Gordon Morton Award is presented to an individual AARP volunteer who has made outstanding contributions to the work of AARP in a manner consistent with the dedication and quality of work modeled by Gordon Morton, an AARP volunteer who passed away in 2002.

Chapter Awards: The purpose of the Chapter Awards is to recognize the education, advocacy, and service work of chapters that contribute to achieving AARP’s mission by highlighting outcomes and impact on their communities regardless of Chapter size or demographic. These awards give Chapters the opportunity to showcase their work for countless hours of service devoted to enhancing the experience of aging and AARP’s mission.

President's Awards: The President’s Award for Community Service is given to deserving individuals or groups chosen at the AARP state president’s discretion. Past recipients have included exceptional chapter presidents and community outreach, advocacy and training volunteers who have furthered AARP’s social impact agenda.

Bob Blancato, who has served as AARP Virginia’s state president for three years, is the chief volunteer representing more than one million AARP members in Virginia and an advocate for all Virginians age 50+. He lives in Arlington and is President of Matz, Blancato, & Associates, a full-service firm integrating strategic consulting, government affairs, advocacy services and association and coalition management based in Washington, DC. He is the National Coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Island