AARP Online Community: AARPCT - AARP Honors Service at Annual Volunteer Recognition Event

AARPCT

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Name: AARPCT

Location:
Hartford, Connecticut
United States

Work:
AARP Connecticut State Office (866) 295-7279 toll-free

Hometown(s):
AARP Connecticut 21 Oak St., Suite 104 Hartford, Conn. 06106

My Websites:
http://www.aarp.org/ct
www.ctretiredteachers.org

Quote:
"What We Do, We Do For All" - Ethel Percy Andrus (founder, AARP)

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AARP Honors Service at Annual Volunteer Recognition Event

Awards Honor Outstanding Volunteers, Community Partners and Lawmakers

AARP’s New Online Network ‘Create The Good’ Provides Opportunities to Make a Difference

More than 100 AARP volunteers, community partners and legislative leaders came together October 20 to celebrate the importance of community service and honor outstanding volunteers during AARP’s annual Volunteer Recognition awards banquet at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT.

At the October 20 Volunteer Recognition event, AARP provided a demonstration of the Create The Good Website and honored 2009 volunteer award recipients. Awards were presented to:

AARP Chapter of the Year - Plainville Chapter #4146;
Outstanding Volunteer Specialist of the Year - Patricia Gerckens of Derby;
Outstanding Volunteer Leader of the Year - David Thomas of West Hartford; and
Partner Program Volunteer of the Year - Michael McDonnell of Trumbull.

The awards honor the outstanding achievements of individual volunteers who, through their efforts and leadership, have contributed toward AARP’s mission and vision.

“Our volunteers are a necessary and vital force in achieving AARP’s vision and mission in our communities,” said AARP State Director Brenda Kelley. “As AARP celebrates the importance of volunteerism and helps usher in a new era of service in America, we are pleased to recognize the outstanding efforts of our many dedicated volunteers and thank those who give so selflessly of their time and talents to enrich the lives of older individuals.”

AARP also honored dozens of community organizations in Connecticut and gave special recognition to 16 state legislators for their support of laws that benefit and protect older adults in Connecticut.

“This year was a difficult one for Connecticut as state and national fiscal crisis’ forced difficult choices by our leaders,” said AARP Connecticut State Director Brenda Kelley. “AARP appreciates the leadership of these legislators during difficult times and thanks them for their support of legislation and services that protect and enhance the lives of older adults in Connecticut.”

AARP’s Volunteer Recognition event coincides with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s (EIF) iPARTICIPATE week-long television event running Oct. 19 to 25. This week, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC and other networks are spotlighting service through scripted programming, segments and PSAs with inspirational messages and storylines about volunteerism. AARP is supporting the initiative by helping to activate 50+ volunteers in communities across the country through its Create The Good Website (www.CreateTheGood.org ) and on-line network. View Create The Good’s PSA, featuring Faith Hill.

AARP recently launched Create The Good to connect current and potential volunteers –those who are not engaged or who are looking for new and different opportunities – with ways to serve that work for them. Create The Good is a network of people sharing tools and ideas to help make a difference in communities across the country. It is powered by AARP and the AARP Foundation’s more than nine million 50+ volunteers, donors and activists.

The new Website allows users to search for local volunteer opportunities, but they also can find ideas for serving in more self-directed ways. The site has how-to videos for simple service projects people can organize on their own, like weatherizing homes, starting walking groups and starting giving circles. Additionally, the new site allows people to submit their own ideas for self-directed service projects, email the site to friends, and post it to their social networks.

To learn more about Create The Good and find ways that you can make a difference in your community, visit www.CreateTheGood.org.

About AARP
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 Islands.