AARP--Youngtown is nearest chapter--upcoming mtg.

Anyone out there a member of the historic first chapter of AARP? It's chapter #1, originally chartered in 1960. Pretty cool to have it in our backyard. The next meeting will be on Friday, September 6, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a potluck dinner. Impressionist singer Tommy Fontana and Nancy Collins from Sun Health's Vial of Life program will then present. Meetings are at the Youngtown Council Chambers, 12030 N. Clubhouse Square on W. Alabama Ave., just west of 111th Ave. Meetings are open to all AARP National members, but if you are not a member and would like to join, call AARP at 888-687-2277, or visit www.aarp.org. Print a membership card and come to the meeting. For info, contact Chapter #1 President Arky Muscato at 623-362-0605.
I heard they have c. 80 members and I've been to their excellent Health Fair, so be on the lookout for when that's held again.

 

It's not surprising that the first chapter of AARP would be near Sun City, the timing is right, 1960, I guess I never thought about where AARP started, or when. Thanks for the info.

 

What is the benefit of belonging to AARP?
At one time my husband & I belonged. Don't now.

 

http://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/ has so many listed that it is worth looking at. Speaking from my own experience, I like the magazine and bulletins they send as they cover senior issues and in them I've been alerted to all sorts of things that you just don't see anywhere else. They put the focus on us. They also support all sorts of health initiatives like their health vans offering free blood tests, blood pressure, etc. They come to the Youngtown Health Fair and help lots of people at functions like that. At Walgreens, the AARP card entitles you to extra deals like extra points. They hold workshops, like the free budget advice ones held at Olive Branch these past 2 weeks. I just finished a free two-week workshop series on Direct Action Organizing to help me be more efficient when working on community projects. I think membership is well worth looking into. Can you think of a similar senior focused org? I can't.

 

We find an AARP membership plays for itself in discounts when we travel.... Most campgrounds/RV parks offer a discount if you ate a member.... And like jaxk I appreciaye their advocasy for seniors and the info they provide.

 

I just finished the 3x financial workshop at the Senior Center.

There was some very good information.

I looked at the link to AARP but did not see anything that would benefit me.

I did not have to be a member to attend workshop.

 

Yes archer,it's not so much for the discounts (although the Denny's coffee deal and lots of others doesn't hurt :teapot, but they are a presence for senior advocacy like strengthening Social Security. Glad you found the workshops helpful pegmih. Heard people that went got 5 bucks and will get another $25 when finishing the surveys in a couple months. Think there's another coming up if any of you missed the first round. The org needs the clout of lotsa members to run programs like that, so by strengthening it with membership, it's sorta an investment in future programs too.