South Austin AARP Chapter 2426

Year: 2016

Number of Members at the beginning of the Year: 142

Number of Members at the end of the Year: 176

For the year 2016, the average monthly attendance was 50 members and the average of monthly new members was 4.

Dues $5.00, to be raised to $10.00 in 2017

Meeting Place:  South Austin Senior Activity Center (SASAC)

Officers

President: Pete Skalnik

Vice President: Elaine Benton Secretary: Ed Gonzales

Assist. Secretary: Marilyn Totten

Treasurer: Caryn Gulas

Assist. Treasurer: Cathy Crossland

Board of Directors

Mary Ragland, Barbara Kaiser,

Al Prewitt, Marilyn Totten & Gail Glick

Financial Report: End of Year

Check Book Balance: $2,826.55

Travel Money $1,327.17

Chapter Balance $1,499.38

Savings Acct $25.00

Financial Contributions:

Operation Family Eldercare: $50

Capital Area Food Bank: $100

Community Services: $200

Travel

The Travel Committee, chaired my Dr. Mario Macaluso, arranged for members to participate in 2 bus trips this year:

June: a day trip to Waco, Texas to visit the Texas Ranger Museum and the Waco Mammoth National Monument.

October: a day trip to Bellville, Texas to tour the Newman Castle and Bakery as well as the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, Texas.

Total Number of Volunteer Hours Reported by Members: 5,995

Community Service and Social Activities

Throughout the Year: Members participated in various Roll and Stroll events. Because of the resounding success of this activity, the City of Austin officially proclaimed December 5^th, 2016 as Roll and Stroll day. The proclamation, signed by mayor Steve Adler, acknowledged that Pat Thomas, member of AARP Chapter 2426, created a community service educational program to encourage seniors to utilize public transportation for fun and convenience. Some of the “strolls” were: February 27-a trip to the mall and shopping; April 2, a walking tour of Lady Bird lake; May 25- a trip to the Triangle area; June 10-a tour of the Umlauf sculpture gardens; July 20-shopping at the Old Lunsdberg Bakery; September 16; a visit to the Austin History Center; November 17; a trip to the Arboretum; December 8- a tour of the eclectic shops along South Congress. Of course, all strolls included dining afterwards.

March/April: we had a donation

box for the collection of items to benefit clients of Mobile Loaves & Fishes.

July: Annual “Summer in the City indoor picnic featuring hot dogs, ice cream and various other treats.

July 21: the five Austin Area AARP

Chapters hosted their annual AARP Day.

July/August/September:

a box marked with the name Drive A Senior South Austin was  available to collect used computer ink cartridges.

November: Treasurer Caryn Gulas presented an AARP workshop on

“Prepare to Care ”.

November: We collected

food items for the benefit of the food pantries at Abiding Love Lutheran Church and St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

December: Members filled and donated gift bags for Drive-A-Senior clients and also donated canned goods for the Bread for All Pantry and also helped adopt a needy family for Christmas. At the regular December meeting, we held our annual Christmas Party and Pot Luck Luncheon, with entertainment provided by the Waterloo Squares, an amateur square dance group. Many of the members, after taking a few brief lessons, joined right in on the dancing.

Other Activities: During the year, members attended several plays: two of which were: “The Government Inspector” and “One Slight Hitch”

Footnote:

We were saddened when Hollis Sheppard, our Program Committee Chairwoman passed away on December 24, 2016. She was a dynamic and efficient organizer and contributed greatly to our chapter.