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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
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Not For Profit: AARP

Aug. 4, 2006 – St. John's AARP chapter keeps its members busy with community projects and interesting meetings.
"I try not to have dry speakers," president Beverly Biziewski said.
She said the St. John chapter recently held a West Indian tea meeting that got rave reviews from the members. Biziewski said that the tradition started in Barbados, but made its way to St. Croix and now, to St. John.
"It was delightful," she said.
Biziewski said that other recent meeting programs covered topics like St. John history, a poetry reading, Black History Month, the Medicare Part D pharmacy program, Medicare updates and Social Security.
The St. John chapter traditionally serves lunch at the January Martin Luther King Day observance in Cruz Bay Park. Biziewski said that at this year's event, the group served 275 people.
"I'm all ready for next year," she said.
The organization also puts on an annual health fair called Care Force that provides free flu shots, as well as health screenings for seniors.
And the members marched in the recent July 4th Celebration parade.
Biziewski said that AARP chapters across the territory have tackled several important issues, including lobbying the Legislature to use all the Tobacco Fund money for health care.
The St. John chapter started in 1990, with one of the original members, Florecia George, still active in the organization.
Membership is open to anyone over 50, but meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend.
The organization meets on the third Thursday of the month at Nazareth Lutheran Church. Meetings are at 5 p.m.
Martha Bruce is the vice president, with Eulita Jacobs serving as secretary and Jan Fry as treasurer.
Jacobs was voted by a committee from AARP chapters across the territory to receive the Andrus award, a prestigious honor given for outstanding community service.
Biziewski said that while many people are familiar with the national AARP organization, the local chapters are not as well known.
She said chapter membership provides discounted home insurance and helps with issues such as Medicare Part D.
Membership in the St. John chapter runs $15 per person. Chapter members must join the national AARP organization, which runs $12.50 per year, with no extra charge for the spouse or partner of the member.

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