People and organizations have been working hard across the NC Coastal Region to help improve lives and help those ages 50 plus live the lives they want to live as they age.

Whether it is storm cleanup and disaster preparedness, pandemic support, helping people vote safely, fighting for social justice, or helping feed the growing number of food insecure families, this year has brought about great challenges and tremendous amount of response from those in our community.

Each year, AARP recognizes the outstanding work being done with its Inspiration Awards. This year's event will be held virtually on February 19, when AARP will honor those who are working to improve our lives.
 
Last year, AARP presented awards to over 30 different organizations and individuals such as Share the Table in Pender and Onslow County, New Hanover County Senior Resources, WARM, Inc. and others. The Media award was given to our own Wilmington Business Journal and WHQR for outstanding radio programming. Please check out 2019 winners by clicking here. 
 
With a host of virtual offerings for AARP members this year during the COVID-19 pandemic, AARP has been working with community partners to help people find jobs, prevent fraud, support veterans and family caregivers, stay healthy, stay socially connected and have fun. AARP expects a rich selection of 2020 nominees as the important work it is doing continues to impact so many lives.

Nominate those who are working to build better lives and communities:

AARP in Coastal Carolina is currently accepting nominations for the 2020 Inspiration Awards. Click here to nominatie.

Please complete and submit the AARP NC Coastal Nomination forms by midnight December 31, 2020. The AARP Coastal Community Inspiration Awards recognize people and organizations providing great community service that is making an impact in the region.

AARP will present the 2020 Inspiration Awards on February 19, 2021, to those organizations and individuals who share AARP’s dedication to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. Special consideration this year will be placed on pandemic and disaster response as well as working to promote social justice. For more information, contact Suzanne LaFollette-Black, AARP NC, Associate State Director at [email protected].
 
 
Suzanne LaFollette-Black has been a gerontologist for the past 35+ years. She is the AARP NC Associate State Director of Advocacy and Community Outreach. Suzanne’s career has been in the aging network as a non-profit nursing home administrator, Area Agency on Aging Director, Executive Director of Moore County Department of Aging. Suzanne is originally from Window Rock, Arizona (Navajo Indian reservation). Suzanne has a BS in Sociology and minor in Zoology/ Music from NAU and graduate studies at USC Ethel Andrus Percy Gerontology program and MASA from University of North Texas, Denton, Texas. She served as the NCAOA (NC Association on Aging, Inc.) President from 2018-2020; Rotary; NCIOM Deaf and Hearing committee; Governor’s Highway Safety Executive Committee; and other community organizations.