Historical Highlights

March 1965 - - - - March 2005

Charter

On February 25, 1965, a small group of retirees met at The Princess Issena Hotel to organize a local chapter of The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in Daytona Beach, Florida. These members signed a charter application and filed it with AARP’s national headquarters.

The next meeting was held on March 11, 1965 at the Murel Room of the Daytona Beach Federal Savings and Loan Association, with 43 charter members present. On March 18, 1965, AARP’s national headquarters officially chartered the new chapter as Daytona Beach Area Chapter 386. Chapter officers were elected for the first time in May 1965.

Membership

Chapter membership remained below 100 over the years. It improved dramatically in 1999 when Paul Reeser, District Chapter Specialist, convinced state and national officers of AARP to sponsor a mass mailing to all senior members in the local area. They were invited to a free lunch featuring gifts, door prizes and AARP speakers. As a result, about 200 people joined the Daytona Chapter. Other local chapters increased their membership, as well. Chapter membership reached its highest level in 2001 when it soared to over 300 members under President Irene Peters.

Meetings

Regular chapter meetings have been held in various locations over the years. Some meeting locations (besides those mentioned previously) included the Windsor Apartments, Seabreeze Recreation Center (now Schnebley’s), Council on Aging, Daytona Beach Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and the Country Harvest Buffet.

Attendance at the monthly meetings has ranged from 40 to 60 members. Highest average meeting attendance (over 100) occurred in 1999 when Chapter President L. Barry Tinkoff moved the meetings to the Daytona Beach Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Initially, the Center provided a complimentary and tasty lunch to all attendees. However, they were not able to continue hosting the meetings and attendance dropped. In 2000, Chapter President Ray Evon arranged to hold monthly luncheon meetings at the Country Harvest Buffet. He organized a calling committee to inform members of upcoming meetings and events, which also increased meeting attendance.

Community Service

AARP Chapter 386 volunteers have devoted thousands of hours to community service projects. Many of these hours were directly aimed at helping the handicapped and elderly. Community volunteer services performed by individual members included: visiting nursing homes, serving nutritious meals, delivering Meals on Wheels, donating food for the hungry, telephoning those who live alone, helping the Red Cross, assisting in libraries and hospitals, helping the homeless and hurricane victims and working with youth at local elementary schools.

Chapter-sponsored projects to help the community have been numerous. In its early years, the chapter adopted a nursing home and gave monthly parties for the residents. The proceeds from a “White Elephant Table” went for this worthy cause. In addition, chapter members made lap robes and other gifts and donated them to the Veterans Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Over the years, the chapter has also contributed money to the Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus Memorial Fund, Volusia County Council on Aging, Coalition for the Homeless and the Walk for Meals on Wheels. In 2004, President Sharon Liehr suggested that members write holiday greetings to support our military personnel in Iraq. One member donated cards and the chapter responded enthusiastically to this worthwhile endeavor.

Advocacy

Chapter members have actively supported state and national legislative issues important to senior citizens. They participated in two AARP-sponsored bus trips to Tallahassee (Rally in Tally) to let state legislators know their views on senior issues. Members have also written, phoned and e-mailed their national and state legislators before bills that impact the elderly were voted on. Two former Chapter 386 presidents have served as volunteers in AARP state-appointed offices. Bill Ternent is the current Advocacy Activity Coordinator for this area and Ray Evon was the Community Activity Coordinator for four years.

Chapter 386 Today

Presently, this vibrant and caring chapter meets on the second Thursday of the month all year long at the Piccadilly Restaurant under President Lowell Wynn. Members socialize during lunch, participate in the business meeting and listen to an informative and/or entertaining program. They are kept up-to-date about legislative priorities and chapter activities through a monthly newsletter edited by Jeanette Merritt.

This history has hit only the high spots. Through fellowship, friendship and community caring Daytona Beach Area Chapter 386 members have accomplished much in the past 40 years. They have lived the AARP motto: “To serve, and not to be served.” Today’s members are continuing this fine tradition.

Compiled and Written by Flora Evon

HAPPY FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY CHAPTER 386