AARP Wants You to Make a Difference

Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, founder of AARP, said, “The challenge to live up to our better selves, to believe well of our fellow men and perhaps by doing so, to help create the good, to experiment, to explore, to change and to grow.”

There is a new spirit of service sweeping the country. Americans of all ages are coming together with our leaders to ensure that there are opportunities to make our nation a better place and to solve problems with citizen-powered solutions. With a lifetime of skills, experience and wisdom, boomers and older Americans have much to contribute. Four in ten want to help even more than they do now. As our nation faces growing challenges, AARP has launched Create the Good to provide opportunities for all Americans to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

In Rhode Island, there always multiple opportunities to contribute your time and talent. Last year, over 100 volunteers came out to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to help process the food to be shipped to food pantries all over the state. Our chapter members, the RI Retired Teachers Association, AARP volunteers and staff joined together to “Create the Good”.

Anyone can visit Create the Good to find more than 250 opportunities to get involved in activities that help their neighborhoods and communities—whether they have 5 minutes or 5 hours.

After a quick registration, volunteers may either find a volunteer opportunity in Rhode Island and community-based organizations may post their opportunities for volunteers.

We encourage visiting the Create the Good site and making a difference in your community. For information, call Deb Miller at (401) 248-2654.