Friday marked the 25th anniversary of September 11 and to mark the date, many groups participated in service projects during the week.
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Winston-Salem chapter of AARP held its first meeting after summer vacation at the SECU (State Employees Credit Union) Family House. The SECU Family House opened its doors to guests in September 2011 after years of collaboration with the medical centers, and financial support from throughout the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County community. The SECU Family House provides affordable lodging and support services in a caring environment for referred adult patients and/or their caregivers who travel to Winston-Salem for medical treatment.
SandraKay Lawson-Crump explained, “The vibrant Forsyth AARP Chapter 1797 is a community of service whose purpose is to promote at the local level the priorities, programs and policies of AARP. Our chapter is committed to maximize member engagement in a broad area of community services, information and educational activities and experiences.” This was the first time the chapter had volunteered at the Family House and the members were interested to learn more about it.
Kara Yates, the director of development for SECU Family House, gave the members a tour and a look inside a guest room, which is beautifully decorated and has a full bath, TV, and small refrigerator. She mentioned that they have welcomed guests from almost all of the 50 states, some who stay just for a day or two and others who stay longer. She mentioned that one guest flies to Winston-Salem once a month to undergo specialized treatment at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. She noted that volunteers are extremely important to the Family House and they even have a teen volunteer program over the summer. She expressed her appreciation that AARP chapter members were volunteering today.
After the tour, AARP members met in the kitchen to discuss the morning’s duties. Lawson said the goal of today’s service project was not only to help the Family House by providing snacks for its guests, but to offer members “an opportunity for personal growth and life-enriching fellowship.” The members divided into four groups: one group baked two kinds of cookies and another group made trail mix and put it into snack bags for guests to take with them when they go to the hospital or for snacks when they arrive late in the evening. Another group made labels to go on the cookies and trail mix bags and the last group wrote notes of encouragement that go with the welcome bags that are placed in each guest’s room upon arrival.
It was a time of fellowship and to get to know each other as the members performed their assigned tasks. Lawson-Crump noted, “We joyfully accomplished all we had planned for our visit to the SECU Family House. Several members said they really enjoyed getting out in the community and serving others in this way. We plan to come back again in the future.”
Next month the AARP chapter will volunteer at Crisis Control Ministry’s Fair Food Drive on Wednesday, Oct. 7, during their regular meeting time of 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. They will greet visitors and accept food donations that go to Crisis Control Ministry’s food pantry.
Anyone age 50 and above who is a member of AARP nationally can join the local chapter. The chapter meets the second Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. at Senior Services. For more information, contact SandraKay Lawson-Crump, president, at loveusk040@gmail.com.
