Prescott Area Volunteers Focus on Community Outreach

Community outreach has always been at the heart of what AARP is all about and there is no more perfect example of this than in Prescott-Prescott Valley, Arizona. It’s there that a dedicated group of AARP Arizona volunteers are committed to helping others in their community.

See Also: Find a Volunteer Opportunity Near You

The group, led by AARP Arizona volunteers Barbara Dwiggins of Prescott Valley and Shirley Prochnau of Prescott meets monthly to discuss ways to reach out in their communities to help others and share important AARP information with local residents.

“We’re a passionate group of volunteers and we believe in AARP’s mission to serve not be served in our communities,” says Dwiggins.

The volunteers, about 15 in number, have a full scope of activities planned throughout the year that includes making sure AARP has a presence at major events in the Prescott/Prescott Valley areas.

“We’ll have an AARP info table set up at the Prescott Walk to End Alzheimer’s on October 6th.” added Prochnau.

In addition to events, the volunteers are planning an AARP Complete Streets survey in Prescott in the coming months. The survey involves the volunteers assessing the walkability of a designated intersection or sidewalk in regards to safety and access for seniors.

“We’re in the preliminary planning stages of the survey but we hope to conduct a Complete Streets activity in the spring of next year that could result in recommendations to the Prescott City Council for improvement of that particular street way that is assessed,” said Dwiggins.

Recently, the group also helped stuff school backpacks that were given to needy kids as part of an effort sponsored by the Coalition for Compassion and Justice. AARP was among a group of community and faith-based organizations that participated in the effort that resulted in over 1000 backpacks filled with various school supplies for kids.

“We’re busy, and we like it that way,” added Prochnau. “Volunteering for AARP is a rewarding experience and we hope others in our community will join us in this effort.”

For information about volunteering with AARP in Prescott and Prescott Valley, email AARP Arizona Program Coordinator Shawn Trobia at strobia@aarp.org.

Find more information about AARP’s You’ve Earned a Say. You can also visit the AARP Arizona Facebook page to keep up to date on the latest events and news from Arizona AARP. … Back to Article