Volunteers have enhanced AEOA’s community outreach efforts since early in the agency’s inception. Youth programs, rural outreach, tax assistance and services for older adults all benefited from community members selflessly giving their time and energy.
AEOA celebrates this history and our present-day volunteers this month during National Volunteer Week, April 19 to 25.
AEOA’s Volunteer Services program will be hosting its annual Purple Ribbon Volunteer Recognition Event on Wednesday, April 22 at the Mountain Iron Community Center. The event is part of a weeklong effort to thank St. Louis County volunteers.
Volunteer Services Program Manager Carrie Pellinen urges local business to show their appreciation for volunteers and participate in the Purple Ribbon Volunteer Recognition Event by donating gift cards, offering volunteer discounts and providing special offers for volunteers during volunteer week.
Pellinen said there are hundreds of volunteers across the Arrowhead region. AEOA Volunteer Services sites are found throughout St. Louis, Lake and Cook Counties. Last year, 778 volunteers donated 74,822 hours helping area residents and supporting local communities.
The reach of AEOA volunteers has grown substantially throughout the decades to include supporting multiple programs and areas of interest including Meals on Wheels, Groceries to Go, Tax Aide, food shelves, intergenerational pen pal programs, historical societies, libraries, gardening groups, hospitals, hospice centers and more.
If you are interested in volunteering, AEOA Volunteer Services can pair you with the perfect partnership in your community. To learn more about volunteering with AEOA, visit aeoa.org/volunteer, email volunteer@aeoa.org or call 218-735-6832.