What a Difference A Day Makes
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-06-02 12:26:18.972710-04:00
Thursday, May 11 marked AARP's sixth annual Day of Service. In Massachusetts, and throughout the nation, thousands of AARP staff and volunteers reached out to help the most vulnerable in their own communities.
Helping Children In Need
This year AARP Massachusetts visited Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit organization that provides underprivileged children with clothes, toys, books, shoes, and items that help to keep them warm, safe at home, and ready to learn at school. Founded in 2002, the Bay State-based Cradles to Crayons has served over 45,000 children in need.
Staff, volunteers, and members of AARP Boston Chapter 88 and AARP Franklin Park/Grove Hall Chapter 4685 inspected books, packed clothing, sorted through toys, and assisted with a variety of other tasks to process and fill orders to help the more than 300 Massachusetts children in desperate need each week.
To Serve, Not to Be Served
AARP's Day of Service was started five years ago as a response to the tragedy of September 11th. This one-day, annual event reflects AARP's belief in the importance of service to communities and the difference just one day's collective effort can make in a community.
On the Day of Service, AARP closes its offices and redirects its staff and family of volunteers to hands-on work in communities across the country. They spend the day sharing information, providing assistance (at food banks, senior centers, and other facilities), and carrying out simple acts of kindness (friendly visits and transportation for homebound residents).
Making a Difference in New Orleans
In Louisiana, a team of AARP volunteers provided one of the highlights of this year's Day of Service national activities. Numbering in the hundreds, the group completely rebuilt and refurbished the home of an active AARP volunteer and New Orleans homeowner, Ms. Brenda Poche. A long-time AARP volunteer, retired teacher's aide and widowed mother of two, Ms. Poche's home was submerged for three weeks following Hurricane Katrina.
AARP continues to match all contributions to the AARP Foundation's Hurricane Relief and Recovery Fund up to $1 million.
Learn More
For more information about AARP Day of Service activities in Massachusetts, send an e-mail to ma@aarp.org or call 1-866-448-3621.
For information about Cradles to Crayons volunteer opportunities, donations and other activities—visit their Website or call 617-471-8417.
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