Local AARP celebrates 50 years
By BRIAN COOK, Times Leader Staff WriterArticle Photos
HUNDREDS OF members of the Belmont County West chapter of AARP came together in celebration Thursday afternoon at the J.B. Martin Center in St. Clairsville as the group celebrated its national founding anniversary of 50 years.
"We have a 101 chapters of AARP in Ohio now and you are the largest and most active in the entire state of Ohio," Ohio AARP Manager Darcy Lehner announced to the audience. "Many chapters across the state are diminishing in size and you should be proud of what you are doing here."
The announcement responded with great applause and struck Belmont County West AARP President Jan Martin with surprise. A chapter that currently has 139 members has not always been a striving force in the community. Martin's first memory of attending an AARP was shocking as the club only had 14 members in attendance and looked as if it was going to only dwindle away.
"After that first meeting I decided it was time to get to work to recruit new members," Martin explained as she has increased membership tenfold since her early days. "You have to enjoy what you are doing and I really do.
"When Darcy (Lehner) made the statement I was overwhelmed. It is a great privilege to be the largest and most active chapter."
During the celebration Martin, along with many other AARP members in attendance, received a Proclamation from St. Clairsville Mayor Robert Vincenzo.
"(AARP's) dedication of services has changed the attitudes of governmental agencies toward the recognition of the needs of elderly and all avenues of consideration have now become a regular program for all of our citizens," Vincenzo said at the podium. "Our local AARP chapter is placed to gather and become involved and combine their time and talents with their friends and communities."
The Belmont County West Chapter of AARP is in its 31st year of existence this year and has outlasted all the other chapters in the county as they all have diminished.
"A lot of people join chapters and it is not something they want to commit to," Lehner indicated. "Since AARP is now open to individuals at the age of 50 and we are in that baby boomer period there has never been more potential members in the area."
With the election year on tap, Lehner believes AARP members will be playing a huge role in the current election in regards to health care reform and long term financial security. Seniors playing an active role in this process should be AARP members.
"Since Hillary Clinton dropped out of the race Southeastern Ohio is up for grabs and we expect many stops by both political candidates for president," Lehner explained as Ohio is viewed as swing state and looks to get quite a bit of attention. "Hopefully these folks are going to be the ones invited to make sure issues of health care reform and long term financial security are brought up in discussion. These are key issues for seniors that need to be addressed and active AARP chapters, like the one here, are the types of people that need to take a stance and tell those in power we need change."
Cook can be reached at bcook@timesleaderonline.com
