Volunteer Programs and Activities
Source: AARP.org | | January 27, 2006
There are many different ways that AARP volunteers are helping others in their communities. They help older persons complete their tax returns, learn defensive driving techniques, get a job, and apply for public benefits for which they qualify. In doing so, our volunteers help others maintain their dignity, independence, and sense of purpose. Here's an overview of some programs that may be in your community.
AARP Day of Service
Mark your calendar. The next AARP Day of Service is Thursday, May 14, 2009. On this day, consider devoting the day to volunteer service with an organization of your choice. Or, spend the day helping your elderly or handicapped neighbors with errands, household chores, and other basic tasks. Throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, AARP staff and volunteers will be out in their communities helping others on special Day of Service projects.
AARP Benefits Outreach Program: Low Income Help
As a volunteer, you can help older people with low or moderate incomes find public and private benefit programs for which they may be eligible to help pay for prescription drugs, groceries, doctors and heating bills, property taxes and more. To find out if this program is available in your community email bopvolunteer@aarp.org.
AARP Chapters
There are 2,000 AARP chapters in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. They play a vital role in serving members and furthering AARP goals at the national, state, and local levels. Chapters are centers of community volunteerism and fellowship, offering a range of service programming that includes mentoring activities, food and clothing drives, friendly visits and much more. Chapters also lend direct support to AARP State Office advocacy and legislative efforts, and often combine forces with groups like Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels, making life better in communities where AARP families live and work. For more information on AARP chapter activities in your state or area, contact AARP Community Networks, 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049, email chapters@aarp.org, or call our toll-free number, 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). Use our online chapter locator to find a chapter near you.
AARP Driver Safety Program
This eight-hour classroom refresher course is designed especially for drivers age 50 and older. However, there is no age requirement for attendance or volunteering. The course covers normal changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time; and it offers practical techniques to compensate for these changes. In 2008, there were over 600,000 course participants. In a majority of states, course participants benefit from discounted auto insurance. This program is available nationwide and is taught in many convenient locations. An online version of the AARP Driver Safety Program course is also available. More than 9,000 AARP trained volunteers currently instruct, administer and promote the course in local communities throughout the United States. You too can join this network of volunteers who are helping older drivers learn ways to avoid collisions and injuries to themselves and others in their communities. A variety of volunteer positions are available, including bilingual (English/Spanish) instructors. Training is provided. Find information online or call toll free: 888-227-7669 (888-AARPNOW).
AARP Money Management Program*
VVolunteers provide daily money management services to help older or disabled people who have difficulty budgeting, paying bills and keeping track of financial matters and who have no family or friends able to help. The program works with state and local community service agencies to help people maintain their financial independence, to remain in their homes, and to provide an added level of protection against financial exploitation. Find more information online, or call toll free: 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). This program may be available in your state.
NRTA: AARP's Educator Community
Working with local retired educators’ associations, NRTA’s With Our Youth! program invites volunteers to respond to the needs of children and the broader community through efforts such as tutoring, providing school supplies and books, and food and clothing drives. Also, in an effort to retain high-quality education professionals, the NRTA Educator Support Network (ESN) taps into the insights of experienced educators to help new teachers and administrators. Through pilot programs and research, the ESN initiative is helping to improve education by offering valuable assistance to those entering the education profession. Find more information online or write to: NRTA, 601 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20049.
AARP Tax-Aide*
AARP Tax-Aide volunteers provide free tax preparation services to millions of low and moderate income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Electronic filing and on-line counseling are also offered by the program. With over 32,000 volunteers and 36 years of continuous service, AARP Tax-Aide is AARP's oldest and largest volunteer program. It now serves 1.9 million taxpayers annually at about 8,500 sites. Program volunteers also answer tax related questions year-round online. This free, confidential service is available nationwide. There are a variety of volunteer positions available; and training is provided. Find more information online, e-mail taxaide@aarp.org, or call toll free 1-888-227-7669. AARP Tax-Aide is administered through the AARP Foundation.
*This is a program of the AARP Foundation, AARP's charitable organization.
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