Volunteer Spotlight

Below you'll see some of the work we're doing across the state to make a difference. AARP SC is always looking for volunteers to join us. Your unique skills and knowledge of your local community are priceless! If you'd like to volunteer, please email us at scaarp@aarp.org or give us a call at 866.389.5655.

The Southern Legislative Conference was held in Charleston, SC July 8-13, and was the largest SLC event in its history with 2,077 participants from the South region and an economic impact of more than 8 million dollars to the Palmetto State.

For the 13th year in a row, attendees of SLC and AARP South Carolina participated in SLC’s Campaign Against Hunger and helped pack a record-breaking 110,000 meal boxes which were donated to the Low Country Food Bank. “This humble act of service reminds us that we work for and on behalf of then people throughout the South regions in all that we do as government officials and staff. There is nothing quite as gratifying as participating in the Campaign for Hunger to feed South Carolinians and their families who are in need,” said South Carolina Senate President and SLC Thomas Alexander.

Shout out to state staff participants:

• Charmaine Fuller Cooper, State Director
• Associate State Directors, Nikki Hutchison, Patrick Cobb, Jo Pauling-Jones

As part of our fraud prevention programming, AARP SC hosted a financial exploitation seminar on July 19 in Columbia. The keynote speaker was retired deputy district attorney, Paul Greenwood. He shared lessons learned over 22 years leading an elder abuse prevention unit in California. We also heard from SC Attorney General Alan Wilson and Kelly Cordell, Director, Adult Advocacy at SC DSS.

The event was a huge success, with nearly 200 people in attendance. Greenwood offered 20 tips to help avoid becoming the victim of financial abuse. Check out the first 10 Tips here.

Shout outs:

• Emma McGraw Myers, State President (top left), who offered greetings
• Lorraine Simmons, Executive Council Member (middle), who served as Mistress of Ceremonies.
• Jo Pauling-Jones, staff lead
  

August 14 marked the 88th birthday of Social Security. AARP SC threw a birthday party to celebrate and draw attention to the potential funding cuts that could reduce Social Security in the years ahead.

We celebrated! Participants joined us for cake and a good time.

(pictured l to r): Veronica Fountain, William Toney and Jo Pauling-Jones)

We engaged! Participants also engaged in a social security themed plinko game to gather personal stories about what a cut to Social Security might mean for them.

(pictured: Frances Ashe-Goins)

We took action! Attendees also took time to sign birthday cards expressing their wishes that Social Security will continue to be funded for them and future generations.

(pictured: Steven Langer)

"Today's event made people realize that Social Security is not a guarantee. It has the potential to be taken away from us and we have to be vigilant and stay on top of it," said volunteer Steven Langer of Columbia.

Shout outs:

• Executive Council Members
• Other dedicated volunteers (Too many to name. You know who you are! 🙂)
  
• Staff Leads: Patrick Cobb, Sheree Muse

AARP SC proudly welcomed Brain Health expert, Dr. Jacob Mintzer, from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). The event was planned by our state president, Emma McGraw Myers and was attended by over 60 volunteers and community members. Dr. Mintzer shared a number of brain health tips.

Shout out:

Emma McGraw Myers, Volunteer State President

Each year, officers from the 16 AARP chapters from across the state gather to share their successes and strategies for strengthening chapters. The group met in Columbia on August 15, led by volunteer Carolyn Thompson who serves as state chapter liaison. Awards were presented to the Charleston, Columbia, Rock Hill and Spartanburg chapters in honor of 50 years of service to their communities. Carolyn Thompson was also honored for her commitment to serving chapters statewide.

(pictured above --bottom photo: Carolyn Thompson, State Chapter Liaison, Pat Ancrum, President--Rock Hill Chapter, Elizabeth Addison, President--Charleston Chapter, Janice Wilson, President--Spartanburg Chapter, Jackie Green, President--Columbia Chapter, Emma McGraw Myers, State Volunteer President.)

Shout out:

• All chapter officers in attendance
• Carolyn Thompson, for planning and facilitating
• Pearl Hall-Blount, staff lead

Senior Citizens Association of Florence County (SCA) is one of 5 recipients of the AARP Community Challenge Grant. They were awarded $15,000 to purchase laptops, enhance broadband and deliver training to help older residents learn how to use technology and navigate the internet safely.

It was a pleasure to join them on August 15 for a formal presentation, tour the newly revamped computer lab and meet program participants. Kudos to SCA for the amazing work they are doing in their community.

Shout outs:

• SCA staff and participants (pictured)
• 2023 Community Challenge Selection Committee--Lorraine Simmons (chair), Cassandra Addison, Cleopatra Allen, Louise Chadwick and Sam Waldrep.

• Staff Leads: Sheree Muse, Joe Meyers

Our Speakers Bureau and Community Events teams were also busy staffing the following events:

• August 10 (Columbia)--Department on Aging's Faith Symposium
• Keynote Speaker: Emma McGraw Myers, state president
• Tabling Team: Christine Curry, Steven Langer, Carolyn Thompson
• August 11 (Bluffton)--Fraud Presentation at First Zion Missionary Baptist
• Speaker: Joe Bogacz
• September 16 (Columbia)--Jubilee Fest
• Tabling Team: Cassandra Addison, Roger Addison, Amorita McClam
• September 16 (Charleston)--Lowcountry Health Fair
• Tabling Team: Charleston Chapter, led by Elizabeth Addison
• September 23 (Columbia)--411 Fest
• Tabling Team: Lillian Crosby, Steven Langer, Carolyn Thompson, William Toney)
• September 30 (Andrews)--Miranda Senior Center's Health Resource Even
• Tabling Team: Charleston Chapter, led by Elizabeth Addison

Shout outs:

• Carolyn Thompson, Volunteer Lead for Speakers Bureau and Community Events teams
• Committed volunteers
• Staff Lead: Sheree Muse

August 10-12--AARP South Carolina co-hosted a Veterans Experience Action Center with the American Legion in Spartanburg. The event, which is the second of the kind AARP has co-hosted this year, brought together veteran service organizations with VA and state VA claims agents to allow nearly 400 to file a new VA claim for their hard earned VA benefits. South Carolina is home to nearly 400,000 veterans, yet only about 30% are currently engaged with the VA.

August 26-- AARP cohosted a state veterans leadership conference with NABVets (the National Association of Black Veterans) at McCrady Training Station. The event was a success and helped further develop a budding relationship with NABVets one of the major veteran service organizations.

Shout out:

Staff Lead: Joe Meyers

On September 14, AARP SC staff and volunteers took part in AARP's annual Day of Service. This year's effort focused on collaborating with two Hilton Head organizations.

Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity hosted an AARP team who assisted in making repairs to homes in the Brendan Community. The organization is also one of this year's recipients of the AARP Community Challenge grant. While there, staff and volunteers presented them with their $20,000 award.

Second Helpings hosted a second group of volunteers guided by EC Member, Bob Zucker. Zucker is a long-time volunteer for the organization, which focuses on eliminating food waste and distributing food to neighbors in need throughout the lowcountry.

Shout outs:

Staff Lead: Jo Pauling-Jones

Volunteer Lead: Bob Zucker

AARP volunteer and staff participants

AARP chapters play a vital role in the overall mission of AARP, providing member engagement and a volunteer base in support of AARP efforts to enhance the quality of life for all as we age. Chapters are separately incorporated, affiliated nonprofit organizations that bring AARP’s mission to life in local communities.