For its holiday season community service project, the North Hills-based AARP Chapter 595 donated $1,000 and more than 100 books to Hampton Community Library, Northern Tier Regional Library and Shaler North Hills Library.
The chapter’s community service chairperson, Leslie Molyneaux, said because seniors and children are among the libraries’ primary users, this was a fulfilling way for the chapter to contribute to their local communities.
“It was fun, it contributed to the community, and our members use the library, and their grandkids do — so, you know, it’s good for the community.” Molyneaux said. “I found it to be very fulfilling, like a nice Christmas present to myself.”
Molyneaux and AARP Chapter 595 President Janet Rushmore donated books themselves, including some from the “Dragon Girls” series by Maddy Mara and the “Warriors” series by Erin Hunter. Other members donated books that could be helpful for adults and seniors such as “Medicare for Dummies” and “Taxes for Dummies,” along with popular mystery novels by Jacqueline Winspear.
Besides books, seniors in the AARP chapter enjoy the various programs and classes local libraries have to offer as well, according to Rushmore.
“I’ve gone to the Shaler library a few times for some of their presentations,” Rushmore said. “History of North Park, an author presenting his books, and he’ll talk about how he created them, what motivated him — just really interesting things.”
That’s why Rushmore was pleased to discover that her chapter could apply for a grant from AARP national and then donate that money to the libraries to fund the programs and classes she and her chapter members enjoy.
“We presented this idea to AARP national, and they gave us an opportunity to apply for a grant — and they gave us a maximum amount, which was $1,000,” Rushmore said.
Rushmore and Molyneaux said Shaler North Hills Library, in particular, has an abundance of programs for adults and children, prompting the AARP chapter to give them the slightly larger monetary donation.
“We gave one of the libraries that had the sort of biggest outreach program, Shaler — we gave them $400 — and the other two we gave $300, and they were all very pleased,” Rushmore said.
According to Rushmore, all of the libraries were appreciative of the donations. Northern Tier thanked the AARP chapter in a letter.
“Thank you for your generous donation of books as well as your contribution,” the letter reads. “Your contribution will be used for programs geared toward older adults. Thank you for assistance in pursuing our mission to provide resources and inspire, inform, educate and entertain the public.”
Molyneaux and Rushmore said getting involved with the chapter and its projects helps their 344 members just as much as it helps the recipients of their community service.
“It’s a way for them to get out of the house and be with their friends,” Molyneaux said.
Added Rushmore: “And those who don’t have friends or have moved into a senior facility — not assisted living but just regular senior apartments — they have to make all new friends. They come here, and I put them to work if I can. You can meet more people when you’re involved on a committee.”