June…June…June
AARP Chapter 5239 enters the warmth and sunshine of “the wonderful month of June” with some significant advancements notched during the past month.
First, what a sensational “Day of Service” our Chapter turned in on May 19 and 20! Some 69 Chapter members volunteered to give up a day or more of their time to help needy people and charitable organizations in our area. This year, organized and guided by “Day of Service” Director Bob Johnson, we had groups of volunteer-helpers at eleven different locations throughout Orange County and in Fredericksburg and Culpeper.
Bob is sending a detailed report packet on the event to Amber Nightingale, our Chapter’s AARP Virginia coordinator in Richmond. Bob’s truly impressive report packet is an instruction manual on how to organize and put together such an event.
Our congratulations to Bob for his outstanding work—and our sincere thanks to all the volunteers for their efforts and dedication.
Second, a crew of volunteers handled the May 17 meeting setup and takedown work with only a minor hic-cup here and there. Hopefully, we’re now back in our meeting routine and won’t have any more problems and complaints with the Association.
Looking to the future—Saturday, July 24, to be exact—we need some volunteers to put together our Chapter’s cardboard boat for the Lake Youth Foundation’s 6th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Construction materials can only be cardboard, duct or sealing tape, and paint. A challenge? Sure—but interesting and fun. (Remember Carla dragging the AARP boat back to shore in last year’s Regatta?) If you’re interested in giving something different a try, get on the “Titanic Construction List” at Doodoo1066@ Verizon.net, and we’ll call an idea-and-action meeting to get started.
Finally, Why do AARP members always use valet parking?
Because the valets don’t forget where they parked the car.
Dick Martin, President
AARP Prepares for Annual Picnic
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity Chairman
LOW AARP Chapter 5239 of will hold its annual picnic on Monday, June 21, rain or shine, at the Lion George Lewis Pavilion in Sweetbriar Park. This popular event will start at 11:30 AM. Hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages, paper goods and utensils, will be provided by the AARP. Members are requested to bring their favorite potluck dishes, casseroles, salads or desserts by 11:15 AM to share with everyone.
This is a very special social event for all to enjoy—meeting and greeting old friends and meeting new ones. It is fun to share stories and jokes and to enjoy good food. Come and join us.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
(Gemini and Cancer)
Margaret Thode, Len Weeder
Sal Buccola, Connie Buttimer
Ida Cangelosi, Philip Carmona
Lucy Churchill, Robert Cooke
Marva Culp, Ralph Daehnke
Richard Durphy, Nell Grimley
Marian Hamilton, Sibyle Jenks
Roxanne Kessler, Chuck King
Rina Lacey, Marilyn Lucero
Nancy Miller, Jan Moore
Eugene Ostlund, June Pataky
John Purificato, June. Romedy
Bonnie Rowan, Judy Schrage
Bob Simpson, Sheila Souther
Donna Stanford, Shirley Thompson Ginny Thoms, John Trach
Sandy Wemmerus, Carolyn Wray
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get-well card was sent in May to Delma Roessler. If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
Day of Service Report
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
Chapter 5239 designated Wednesday May 19 and Thursday, May 20, 2010 as “Volunteer Service Days.” Members and other citizens worked at eleven locations in Orange, Fredericksburg, and Culpeper. Sixty nine person-days racked up 295 hours of service. Here are some of the things we did:
· Orange County Nursing Home (Dogwood). We visited residents and helped them plant flowers in their outside flower beds.
· Carriage Hill nursing home (Fredericksburg). We went in the morning as the recreation supervisor suggested, but they were not ready with the planned bingo game. Some went back in the afternoon to assist with the game and provide prizes the team had accumulated.
· Orange County Homeless Shelter (Sheltering Arms). We painted, cleaned and reorganized a detached garage and laid carpet/rugs.
· Orange County Animal Shelter. About half the team worked at the shelter and the other half prepared fund-raising/raffle mailings. These tasks should substantially assist the Animal Shelter take care of its animals.
· Wilderness Food Pantry. We set up shelves and prepared for the Thursday distribution day.
· Orange County Historical Society. We worked on the areas around the building by pulling weeds and trimming the yard areas.
· TRIAD. We assembled TRIAD material including the File of Life which has been given to over 4,000 residents of the county and has saved lives because it lists medications and medical information for emergency response personnel.
· National Park Service, Wilderness Exhibition Shelter. We trimmed trail pathways in Saunders Field removing vines, and cutting small trees.
· Services to Abused Families (SAFE). We cleaned the carpet on two floors of the shelter and repaired screens on several windows.
· Mary Washington Hospital. We assisting with duties for patients during the week with certified volunteers.
· Photography. We transported the lunches and took pictures of the activities. Look for a group of photos at the picnic.
· Lunch preparation. We provided life-saving water and delicious bag lunches for all participants.
· Wilbur Gardens Assisted living. We performed Dulcimer concert for residents.
Remember, if you liked to volunteer at these facilities, keep on doing it! Thanks for all you do.
Protective Money Management Volunteers Needed
by Carla Wascalus
Volunteers are needed to help low-income persons manage their money. AARP’s Protective Money Management Program is in partnership with RRCSB in conjunction with the Social Security Administration. The Protective Money Management Program helps older people with limited income who are having difficulty paying their bills or managing their money. The program is sponsored by AARP, which insures funds in the client’s bank account up to $35,000.
As a volunteer you will receive a direct deposit from Social Security into a bank account, which is set up for the client, and use this money to pay the client’s bills, manage their daily expenses, etc. This may require one or two visits a month with the client. This is an ongoing commitment, not a one time volunteering opportunity, but one that will be very satisfying.
For information go to www.rrcsb.org. Click on Protective Money Management link, then on the last paragraph for volunteer details. Or contact Doug Schiffman, Coordinator for PMMP, at (540) 825-3100 x3159, on his cell (301) 370-4210 or by email at dschiffman@ rrcsb.org. He will come to LOW to do the two-hour training that is required.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
New Chapter Medical Chair
Sandie Frame is the new Chapter Medical Chairperson, replacing Frank Jacobeen. Sandie is a retired nurse with extensive experience in both clinical hospital and medical insurance company operations. She will keep Chapter members aware of new developments in the medical and general health fields.
Monthly Silent Auction
There will not be a silent auction at our June meeting. We will, however, accept any donations that you may care to bring to the June picnic meeting, and they can be put up for auction in July.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks
We raised $116 at the May silent auction.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
A new rule proposed by the Treasury Department would close loopholes to protect social security benefits from illegal bank freezes. One case that came to light involved a 59-year-old woman who added her son to her checking account when her husband died so there would be someone to pay her bills if she fell ill. Funny thing. Recently she was notified that her account was frozen and all money in it was being sent to pay an old debt of that son even though he had never used the account. What followed was a lengthy process to hire a lawyer and file legal papers to get her money back.
The “Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments” would require banks to review the deposits in an account before freezing it in response to a court order. According to current law, Social Security retirement and disability benefits and veterans benefits are exempt from seizure by private debt collectors. But banks, if presented with a court order, can freeze accounts containing these benefits if a court order is issued to pay an outstanding claim. One attorney who was involved in a similar case feels that judgments that sat dormant for years are now being collected on as a way for banks and other creditors to offset other losses they had over the last few years.
If you are interested in the future of this rule, please send comments to the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the heading “Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments.” Send to the attention of Gary Grippo, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fiscal Operations and Policy, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Room 2112, Washington, D.C. 20220.
Highlights of March 15, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls
· The goal for the second annual AARP/Ruritan Food Drive on September 11 is to collect 20 bags of food for donation to local food pantries. POC: Kathi Martin, 972-5242
· The Saturday, July 24 Cardboard Boat Regatta event is quickly approaching. Volunteers are needed to create the AARP boat and participate in the event. COMCAST CH18 will be broadcasting instructions on how to build a cardboard boat during the month of June.
· The LOWA Honor Awards Committee is accepting nominations for their awards program. Dick Martin requests that if AARP nominees are submitted, please let him know. Nominations are due by June 28 and forms can be found at the www.lowa.org website.
· Reminder: Help is needed to set up/take down chairs/tables for the monthly AARP meetings. Hank Lewis has sign-up sheets available at the monthly meetings.
· Bob Johnson, coordinator for AARP’s Day of Service on 19/20 May, provided a final update and advised sign-up sheets were still available for those interested in this worthy cause.
· Roxanne Kessler announced the Silent Auction winners. The amount raised at May’s auction was $116. Roxanne advises there will be no Silent Auction at the June meeting. You may bring donations to the June picnic for the July auction. Give donations to Patti, Carla or Roxanne.
· Paul Tobin announced the results of the 50/50 drawing which netted $41.50. The winner was Millie Wieser, who was visiting from the Culpeper AARP chapter.
· Next month’s meeting on Monday, June 21, will be the annual AARP picnic. See you at the Sweetbriar Pavilion at 11:30AM. Everyone is asked to bring a potluck dish to go with the hot dogs and hamburgers. Also, more folks are needed to serve on the clean-up committee for this event.
