By Annabeth Miller,
SMT Editor
JEFFERSON CITY - Snow in cold weather may have arrived to mid-Missouri, but it did not keep the members of the AARP from the State Capitol.
The AARP annual volunteer legislative briefing was held Jan. 11 and 12 and State Rep. Terry Swinger was one of the legislators to speak to the group.
Swinger was introduced to the AARP members by a lady who is no stranger to Stoddard County and to Southeast Missouri. Bloomfield native and former area Girl Scout staff member Ilena Aslin introduced Swinger to the state group. Aslin is a member of the AARP Missouri Executive Council and is Swinger’s cousin.
“Ilena personifies the perfect example of an AARP member,” Swinger said. “She has lived a life dedicated to service, including being the Executive Director of the former Cotton Boll Area Girl Scout Council.”
Aslin served as the executive director of the Southeast Missouri Girl Scout council for 30 years, working with thousands of girls and adults throughout the region. She now lives in Cape Girardeau and is an active volunteer in the community and state.
“As people are living longer, it is great that an organization such as AARP is looking out for us as we age,” Swinger said. “The 2010 census showed more people 65 and older in 2010 than any other census. This age group increased at a faster rate of 15.1% than the total U.S. population. The census also found there were 53,364 centenarians, those 100 years and older, which is a 5.8% increase from the 2000 census. AARP is no longer for just retirees, but for those 50 years old and older.”
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Photo Above: Ilena Aslin and State Rep. Terry Swinger pause for a photo in the State Capitol in Jefferson City. (photo provided by Rep. Swinger)
