History of the Shenandoah AARP
| The Shenandoah Chapter 1471 of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) was organized on April 25, 1973. There were 25 charter members and Virginia Melton was the first President. The first meetings were held in a local church where they had brown bag lunches. Later the meetings were held in the Community Center/ Library, but this building was largely destroyed by fire on May 26, 1997, and all the records of the chapter were destroyed. |
| The AARP currently meets at 11:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Shenandoah Community Center at Second and Railroad streets. A covered dish lunch is served at 12 noon, followed by a short business meeting. We then have a program which may include a speaker on a subject of interest to senior citizens, or it may include a musical program for pure enjoyment. |
| The AARP is a service organization. Although the chapter meetings are a very pleasant social event, the motto of AARP is "To serve, not to be served." Service activities have included donating funds to the local fire departments and rescue squads, and also donating school supplies and articles of clothing to the local elementary schools. It is noteworthy that in a typical month, our members donate over 400 hours to various community service activities, and also make over 100 visits to persons who are homebound, in hospitals, or in nursing homes. |
| Membership in the chapter is open to all persons who are age 50 or over. Membership in the National AARP is a requirement, and chapter dues are only $2.00 per year. |
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For more information contact: Bruce H. Arnold, Chapter President (for 2002) |
