The biannual AARP State Awards dinner was held at the†Field House Restaurant in Denver on Oct. 15. Fifteen Black Forest AARP Chapter members attended the awards†recognition dinner.†During the event and†ceremonies, chapters and their members from throughout Colorado were recognized†for their exceptional activities†during 2018 and 2019.††† For†the 11th consecutive year, the Black Forest AARP Chapter 1100 was designated the†Platinum AARP Chapter and†awarded the Chapter Cup as the most outstanding AARP†Chapter in Colorado for community service.†The chapter received the award for numerous†community service projects such as the annual free shredding events,†blood†drives, hosting the monthly senior social gatherings, participating in local†public expositions, maintaining a presence at the†annual Black Forest Festival; and making†significant donations to veteran and community charities.†The award was†accompanied by a $300 grant to†the chapter. In†addition to the Chapter Cup, three Black Forest AARP Chapter 1100 members were†individually recognized for their exceptional†service.† † † † † ††Jim and Lori Belk received the AARP†Community Service Award for the sustained support they have given to Chapter†1100 and the subsequent positive†effect they have had on the community in†general.†Specifically, Jim Belk excelled†as the person in charge of the†2019 free shredding event that the chapter†undertook in partnership with ElderWatch Colorado.†Jim, a Chapter†1100 board member, supervised†the project and ensured that every aspect of the planning was appropriately†accomplished, resulting in the total success of the event.†Lori Belk is very active in chapter activities.†She has served, in a†superior manner, on the†Chapter 1100 Community Services Committee for three years.†In addition, she has been the†chapter†luncheon and catering coordinator the past two years.†This responsibility includes coordinating and†ordering two annual catered meals for the chapter and supervising the luncheon†activities for each of the other†chapter meetings during the year.†She was also active in the planning and†supervising of other chapter activities. The†AARP Colorado Program/Strategic Award for 2019 was presented to Stephen Blucher.†Stephen was†recognized for†his 22 consecutive years of service as an instructor in the AARP Driver Safety†program and his steady, consistent volunteer service with AARP.†Stephen has been a member of Chapter 1100†in†Colorado Springs since 2014.†During†this time, he has been a steadfast and reliable member on numerous†occasions.†He was cited for his exceptional record of†achievement, service and commitment and providing the†extraordinary example of†the difference that volunteerism can make in the lives of individuals and in†the well-being†and vitality of a community.†Stephen has recently been appointed one of†the two AARP Western Region†delegates to the Chapter Activities Team at AARP†headquarters in Washington, D.C. AARP†Colorado took great pride in congratulating The New Falcon Herald newspaper and†its editor, Marylou Doehrman†Bride, for the publicity, support and visibility†given to AARP and the Black Forest Chapter 1100 through The New Falcon†Herald.†The New Falcon Herald has published more than 20†press releases from AARP†Chapter 1100 over the past two years.†Items published include pre-event and public†service announcements as well†as post-event news releases consisting of reports,†articles and photos.†The publicity,†support and visibility given†Chapter 1100 by The New Falcon Herald has†increased the interest in AARP and Chapter 1100 activities throughout†the central†Colorado community.†The Business Award†was accepted by The New Falcon Herald publisher,†Michelle Barrette. Chapter†1100 President Ray Rozak invites anyone interested in joining Chapter 1100 and participating in community service projects to the meetings, including anyone who just wants to visit the chapter meeting and find out more about the group. Contact Ray at†719-495-6767 for†details.†The Chapter 1100 motto is ìTo†Serve, not to be Served.î
