AARP Frederick Chapter 636

 About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. 

About Frederick Chapter 636

Chapter 636 of Frederick, Maryland,  is a chartered entity of AARP, and a face—and heart—for AARP in the local community. The chapter was originally incorporated on April 20th, 1972, witha total of 65 members.  Chapters are unique, “in that they are service centers and do not stress or promote activities of an entertainment, social, or recreational nature.” 

 What We've Done

AARP CHAPTER #636 YEAR IN REVIEW - 2024

PROGRAMS 

⏺  JANUARY 18          Leslie Schultz, SOAR 

⏺  FEBRUARY 15        Carol Chandler, Frederick Rescue Mission

⏺  MARCH 21               Jessica Fitzwater, Frederick County Executive

⏺  APRIL 18                  Bonnie Nicholson, Orphans’ Court Judge

⏺   MAY 16                    Sharon Smith, Frederick Health Hospital Auxiliary

⏺   JUNE 20                  Elisa McCoy, Sleep in Heavenly Peace      

⏺   JULY 18                   Member Karaoke

⏺  AUGUST 15             Mark Spurrier, Maryland State Park Ranger

⏺   SEPTEMBER 19     Kai Hagen, former Frederick County Commissioner &   

                                      Council Member

⏺  OCTOBER 17          Nancy Whitmore, author “Ghosts & Legends of Frederick

                                      County”

⏺  NOVEMBER 21       Thanksgiving Meal with representatives from the Chapter’s                     

                                       2024 Charity Recipients

⏺  DECEMBER 19        Mike Kuster, Country Western Singer

AARP CHAPTER #636 YEAR IN REVIEW - 2024

⏺    12 Monthly Chapter Luncheon Meetings

                    o 880+ Attendees/lunches (avg @ 72)

                    o 11 Engaging Programs (see reverse)

⏺     46 New Members Welcomed

                    o Longest term member, Gloria Retzer, 24 years

⏺    7 Travel Adventures; 6 Road Trips, 1 Cruise; appx 240 travelers

⏺     58 Health & Welfare Cards mailed   

                  o 18 Sympathy, 6 Get Well, 34 Thinking of You

⏺     $1,000 given in Bingo support at Citizens Care & Rehab Center;

        member volunteers assisted at monthly event

                  o 10 monthly game nights, everyone wins at least $1.00

                  o 33-38 resident players each night

⏺     $ 850 donated via Table Basket Collections

                 o Red Cross for Hurricane Relief (multiple)

                 o Sleep In Heavenly Peace

⏺    $ 3,500 donated to 7 Local Charities ($500 each)

                o Citizens Care & Rehabilitation Center, Daybreak Adult

                   Day Services, Frederick Food Bank, Frederick Health

                   Hospice, Frederick Humane Society, Partners In Care,

                   SOAR (Supporting Older Adults Through Resources, Inc)

⏺    $$ Hundreds worth of donated items to our 2 Holiday collections:

       Citizens, Frederick Food Pantry (toiletries, winter accessories, food)

⏺    2 New Board Members

⏺    2 Officers represented AARP#636 at first statewide chapters

       meeting since before COVID, held at Maryland AARP, Annapolis.

IN MEMORIAM  🕊

Sadly, we lost 3 of our members in 2024, whom we honored with 

memorial donations to National AARP. May they rest in Peace. 

Rayeann Diaz (January 4) 

Les Mecher (October 7) 

Ruth Ann Engel (December 18) 

SPECIAL THANKS

Ted Marron for serving as Interim Treasurer and Board Members who

retired: Bonnie DiMichele-Rogers, Jean Van Tassel, Gloria Retzer,

and past President Gary Hays, for everything you’ve done. YOU ROCK!!