Volunteer in New Orleans Life 50+ National Event Create the Good
Volunteer in New Orleans, Life@50+ National Event, Create the Good
The volunteers will meet the homeowners, at least one of whom is also an AARP member. Linda Devoy lives in the Hollygrove neighborhood with her husband, Spencer Livingston, in a century-old, lilac-colored bungalow. Since Katrina had flooded the neighborhood with three feet of water, they've had plenty of work to do, says Devoy, who's 64, but she and Livingston, 59, have been inhibited by health problems. So while Livingston was able to paint most of the house, he never finished it. "It was just too much," says Devoy. There are white patches on the house's exterior, and now the weeds are growing over the sidewalk and the blue trim is peeling. When Devoy read that the AARP member event was coming to town this year, she contacted the coordinators and asked if she could be assisted as part the members' volunteer program, and was grateful to qualify through Habitat for Humanity. "To have the house looking good and have these projects completed would just mean so much," she says. "It would just really give us a lift and help the city." Aleis Tusa, director of communications for New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, says she's "thrilled" AARP members are coming to help out, and notes that the projects will be assigned by each volunteer's capability, whether it's painting or weeding or hammering nails. At the end of the day, "they'll probably be a little sore, a little tired. But when you're doing this kind of thing," says Tusa, "that's just the best feeling." Also of interest: Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Volunteering During Life@50
Help New Orleans look and feel better by donating your time
As at , the volunteering opportunities in this year will offer a memorable chance not only to help a city with tremendous needs, but also to connect with it more deeply than most tourists can. See also: Chris Graythen/NBAE via Getty Images Help New Orleans look and feel better by donating your time. Since devastated the city seven years ago, forcing the cancellation of AARP's 2005 national event there, members have pitched in to help the city recover. Now thousands are planning to arrive from all over the country for this year's event, and their interest in helping New Orleans is so great that slots for the are going fast. Convention-goers can . You can cultivate an edible school garden, sort food at the Second Harvest Food Bank or help upgrade a city park. You can even sort Mardi Gras beads for Carnival.More on Volunteering
The volunteers will meet the homeowners, at least one of whom is also an AARP member. Linda Devoy lives in the Hollygrove neighborhood with her husband, Spencer Livingston, in a century-old, lilac-colored bungalow. Since Katrina had flooded the neighborhood with three feet of water, they've had plenty of work to do, says Devoy, who's 64, but she and Livingston, 59, have been inhibited by health problems. So while Livingston was able to paint most of the house, he never finished it. "It was just too much," says Devoy. There are white patches on the house's exterior, and now the weeds are growing over the sidewalk and the blue trim is peeling. When Devoy read that the AARP member event was coming to town this year, she contacted the coordinators and asked if she could be assisted as part the members' volunteer program, and was grateful to qualify through Habitat for Humanity. "To have the house looking good and have these projects completed would just mean so much," she says. "It would just really give us a lift and help the city." Aleis Tusa, director of communications for New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, says she's "thrilled" AARP members are coming to help out, and notes that the projects will be assigned by each volunteer's capability, whether it's painting or weeding or hammering nails. At the end of the day, "they'll probably be a little sore, a little tired. But when you're doing this kind of thing," says Tusa, "that's just the best feeling." Also of interest: Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures