Volunteering

Give it a week and the Sheridan community will come through for its own. AARP’s Sheridan Chapter netted 700 pounds of donated food in just five days through its annual Souper Bowl food drive, last week.

AARP Wyoming has released its 2017 Winter Newsletter with features on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Cheyenne; as well as CenturyLink's efforts to deregulate phone service in parts of Wyoming; and a column on the phases of hunting by Wyoming outdoor writer Ty Stockton. To read the Winter 2017 edition, click below.

A group of goodniks will change light bulbs, smoke detectors, smoke detector batteries, and carbon monoxide sensors for Natrona County seniors, November 4 in Casper. The Natrona Fall and Fire Prevention Coalition has been doing this work since 2014 and since that time has replaced smoke alarms in 143 homes around Natrona County.

With an agenda featuring a discussion on changes to Medicare and helpful tips on how to avoid identity theft, it was no surprise nearly 3,400 Wyoming AARP members joined an AARP Wyoming’s TeleTown Hall Oct. 16. The event was moderated by Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck.

Anne Gardetto has reminded Wyoming of its responsibility to all its citizens during her career, especially in an underserved community. Now she is doing the same in retirement. AARP Wyoming honored her for her efforts with the Eddie Wadda Community Service Award during the organization’s State Volunteer Recognition Awards Dinner Tuesday night in Casper.

If there is an AARP-sponsored event or effort in Park County, there is a strong chance Cody resident Jackie Martin is behind the effort. Tuesday night in Casper, Martin was recognized for her work with AARP Wyoming as the organization presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award during its Volunteer Recognition Awards Dinner.

Ethel Percy Andrus, the founder of AARP, was a teacher, and an educational administrator. For that reason, the mission of keeping educators health, both financial and physical, in retirement is one close to the hearts of those at AARP. This year, we honor Barb Garrison as the Retired Educator of the Year for 2017. The Casper resident was instrumental in organizing the Natrona County Retired Education Personnel, using her contacts with retired teachers, principals and other school personnel to develop a group that meets monthly.

Clayton and Gloria Jensen were honored as winners of the 2017 Andrus Award by AARP Wyoming, Tuesday night in Cheyenne.

AARP Wyoming announced two winners for the AARP Community Challenge, aiming to create change and improve quality of life at the community-level. The winning projects include projects in Casper as well as Jackson. Both grants will be used to fund age-friendly bus stops in their respective communities.

Named after AARP’s founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the Andrus Awards honors outstanding individuals who donate their time, skills and passion as a volunteer to support their community and state. Every year we gather at our annual Andrus Awards event and celebrate the dedication of Wyoming’s wonderful volunteers.