COURTESY OF AARP MAINE
As 2025 draws to a close, AARP Maine is proud to share with Bangor Daily News readers the many accomplishments driven by our dedicated volunteers throughout the year. A sincere thank you is owed to our citizen advocates, community members, and collaborative partners for their spirited, action-oriented, and tireless work.
Once again, this year, we filled the halls of Augusta with our trademark red shirts and continued our tradition of Tuesdays at the State House. Each week, volunteers convened at the State House to hear legislative updates, learn the intricacies of policymaking, chat with state representatives, and plan outreach campaigns. Our members and volunteers testified throughout the legislative session and shared powerful stories about important issues such as the challenges of being a family caregiver and the effects of high utility costs on vulnerable households.
In addition to their legislative efforts, many of our volunteers felt particularly inspired by AARP Maine’s mission: to empower Mainers 50-plus to choose how they live as they age. Volunteer-led activities this year included e-bike demos, coffee talks in Bangor and bowling in Brewer, offering engaging, educational, and fun opportunities for local residents.
Community engagement was another area where volunteers demonstrated exceptional leadership in Bangor. Local events included free movie screenings, shred events, ice cream socials, On Tap events, and a summer-long series celebrating the 90th anniversary of Social Security. Volunteers participated in the annual Hike for the Homeless as well as the Bangor Rotary’s annual Veterans Day breakfast, and Eastern Area Agency’s health expo and fall breakfast fundraiser. Many of you join us regularly for monthly coffee meetings at Dysart’s and we hope to see you again in 2026!
Our electric bill workshops helped local Mainers stay informed about their bills but also provided a better understanding about fair and reasonable utility rates in Maine. In addition, volunteers hosted virtual Fraud Watch events, educating the 50+ community about different types of scams.
AARP Maine participated in five pride festivals this year, including Bangor, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting Maine’s LGBTQ+ community. We believe diversity is a source of strength, and the LGBTQ+ community is a vital part of the quilt of American life.
Our office is also deeply committed to supporting communities across Maine and their efforts to become more livable for residents of all ages. We partner with local leaders, organizations, and dedicated residents to help make that vision a reality, including in Greater Bangor.
Finally, we celebrated with our volunteers at our Annual Meeting this fall, held in Freeport at the Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment. We honored retired Orono resident Linda Dougherty with our annual Andrus Award for Community Service, an award named after our founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. Linda’s commitment and service to others is exactly what AARP strives to achieve.
We hope the successes of 2025 inspire you to reach out and get involved. We love hearing from you and welcome your ideas! Please visit our website at www.aarp.org/me, find us on social media @aarpmaine, and email us at me@aarp.org to learn more about how to join our efforts in 2026. We have many exciting endeavors on the horizon as AARP Maine continues to advocate for older Mainers and their families.
On behalf of our staff, volunteer advocates, and nearly 200,000 members across the state, I wish you and your family a joyful and safe holiday season.
Noël Bonam
AARP Maine State Director