As we enter a new year, we must first look back at 2020 and the tremendous hurdles we faced to keep our community strong. The pandemic challenged us all to do more for our neighbors. We want now to thank those who met those challenges – who’ve fed the hungry, checked in on people who were socially isolated, worked to make our nursing homes safer, and helped people steer clear of a whole new wave of fraud and scams related to testing and vaccines – with the 2020 AARP NC Coastal Inspiration Awards.

Last year, caring volunteers also helped with storm cleanup, disaster preparedness, voting safely, and the fight for social justice and against discrimination. So many individuals and organizations deserve our thanks for helping make our cities, towns and rural areas on the Coast great.

Join us for the 2020 AARP NC Coastal Inspiration Awards on February 19, 2021

AARP will be joined by special hosts Donna Gregory and Ramel Carpenter from WWAY-TV as we honor the 2020 AARP Inspiration Award Winners and we invite you to join us for this special virtual ceremony. Click here for more information on how to join this virtual event.

The annual AARP Inspiration Awards recognizes the outstanding work that helps keep our communities strong. This year’s award winners were nominated by the public who have helped us identify and honor neighbors and friends who are true champions for us all.

Although several organizations will be honored, I would be remiss not to mention the AARP volunteers who now lead the majority of AARP local events. Whether it is advocating for caregivers, helping people find easier ways to save for retirement, fighting for affordable utility rates, making communities more age-friendly, or protecting people from scams and fraud through the AARP Fraud Watch Network, AARP’s engaged and effective volunteers contribute in so many ways.
 
Although the way we work has been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunities for volunteer engagement are stronger than ever. We face a new set of challenges, but AARP volunteers stand at the forefront of our response as they continue to bring real possibilities to older adults all across the state.

We hope you can join us to honor and thank those who are giving at the AARP Inspiration Awards Ceremony, from 7- 8:30pm, on Friday, February 19.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities with AARP in the NC Coastal Region, please send an e-mail with “volunteer” in the subject line to: [email protected].

In the words of AARP Founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, “What we do for one, we do for all.” AARP sends heartfelt thanks to all who are doing for others during these unprecedented times.


Suzanne LaFollette-Black has been a gerontologist for the past 35+ years. She is the AARP NC Associate State Director of Advocacy and Community Outreach. Suzanne’s career has been in the aging network as a non-profit nursing home administrator, Area Agency on Aging Director, Executive Director of Moore County Department of Aging. Suzanne is originally from Window Rock, Arizona (Navajo Indian reservation). Suzanne has a BS in Sociology and minor in Zoology/ Music from NAU and graduate studies at USC Ethel Andrus Percy Gerontology program and MASA from University of North Texas, Denton, Texas. She served as the NCAOA (NC Association on Aging, Inc.) President from 2018-2020; Rotary; NCIOM Deaf and Hearing committee; Governor’s Highway Safety Executive Committee; and other community organizations.