AARP (formerly American Association of Retired Persons) is a non-profit organization committed to empowering people to choose how to live as they age. Founded in 1958 to offer retired educators financial and health insurance support, the organization’s reach expanded over the decades to include people of all ages and occupations. Their outreach activities grew, as well– they fight age discrimination at the national level, provide resources for nearly every aspect of living well, and organize their members for volunteering and local engagement. The Kansas City AARP chapter has partnered with BikeWalkKC for several projects over the last couple of years that demonstrate AARP’s diversified approach to creating community.
In 2017, AARP supported the CompleteKC campaign. People of all ages came together to advocate for safer streets in Kansas City, MO, and City Council unanimously passed the Complete Streets Ordinance in December 2017.
AARP enthusiastically sponsored the 2018 Tour de Bier. Local AARP members participated in the ride and joined in the rainy fun last May.
The Women’s Bike Summit has enjoyed AARP’s support for several years running. The organization recruits volunteers for the event and brings lots of fun engagement and information materials for existing and potential AARP members. In 2018, AARP sponsored a popular panel titled “Riding into Retirement.”
In 2017 and 2018, AARP joined us for the KC Tweed Ride! The team brought games and prizes for this picnic in the park.
Most recently, AARP volunteers put in some sweat equity at a Bike Build Night for our youth education programs. In just a few hours of work, twelve people cleaned, adjusted, and greased nine bicycles for our BLAST programs.
AARP is an important partner in our work here in the Kansas City region! With AARP’s fiscal and volunteer support, we have engaged communities across the metro for better active transportation. Stay tuned: BikeWalkKC and the AARP have some exciting plans for 2019, and we can’t wait to share them with you!