AARP Volunteer Newsletter - Nov. 2018

My November newsletter will reach you after the mid-terms elections. Hopefully we encouraged people to Be the Difference and vote. Looking forward to 2019 and working together for the many needs of our 50+ population.

AARP Kentucky would like to honor our many caregivers across our nation. November is “National Family Caregivers Month”. We say, “thank you,” for all you do as a special caregiver.

November is also Veterans month. AARP Kentucky has been very active providing information and outreach to our Veterans, Military, and their families. Our Kentucky volunteers have been very active presenting Fraud Watch Network programs across the state, with several of those targeted to Veterans groups. Many thanks to new partners in the state, working alongside of AARP, to keep our seniors safe. It is certainly an honor to work with these wonderful men and women who have served our country. I encourage you and your chapters to do something special for your Veterans in November.

Louisville was selected as the host city for the 2018 Veterans of Foreign Wars Southern Conference. We’re proud of our volunteers from Louisville for helping welcome veterans from its 14 state region. State President Charlotte Whittaker’s remarks to the 300 VFW and VFW Auxiliary members were streamed live on AARP Kentucky Facebook. Charlotte spoke in advance of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and shared AARP’s commitment to veterans, “We know ‘nobody does more for veterans than VFW’. And AARP knows veterans have served our country and now – it’s time for AARP to serve you.”

Volunteers collected Be The Difference campaign voter pledges and shared Fraud Watch Operation Protect Veterans tips and tools. Coming up next, Charlotte, volunteers in Bowling Green, and Eric Evans are coordinating outreach during the statewide VFW Department of Kentucky Fall Conference in Bowling Green.

YMCA 55+ Health & Safety Fair

AARP was ably represented at the annual North Lexington Family YMCA 55+ Health and Safety Fair. Volunteers distributed AARP Fraud Watch, voter engagement and veterans information. Other participants provided a variety of health screenings; information on grandparenting, financial , credit and cell phone security; YMCA exercise opportunities; nutrition, prescription checks, fire safety, police security and free safety auto checks to north end Lexington residents.

Lexington Mayor Candidate Forum

AARP Kentucky volunteers made the difference during the Lexington Mayoral Candidate Forum. AARP grassroots volunteers supported the forum by greeting the candidates and forum guests while collecting Be The Difference voter pledges, staffing a remote Watch Party, and Executive Council member Dr. Merrylyn Moran Smith served as Forum “Time-Keeper.” Attending the live event with volunteers were local Lexington Chapter President Carol Grange, State Director Ron Bridges, State President Charlotte Whittaker, and past AARP Board Member Tim Kelly.

Mt. Washington Chapter

Sharon Turner and Trish Roberts took a turn at collecting food and donations at ValuMarket on September 8. The day of service work by 8 volunteers resulted in a $1,600 donation of food and cash to Mt. Washington Community Ministries’ food bank. Ralph Clark received the donation from Rita Harned at the October chapter meeting.

Portland Chapter

AARP Chapter #2526 is on fire. I guess we are still feeling it from the HOT summer! We are always trying to raise money to give to nonprofits. This month we had a big yard sale, but the weather did not think much of it. We only had a few people show up, sooooo we bought from each other. What a day. This month will be much better because November is Hot Donuts Month; wish all Chapters could order. Have a good winter.