Volunteer Spotlight: Lizz McGrady

Posted on 10/05/20

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Elizabeth (Lizz) McGrady is a long-time AARP New Jersey volunteer who has contributed 16 years of dedication and hard work to the organization, and currently leads AARP Chapter 5398 of the Newark University Area as president. But even beyond AARP, Lizz has been an active volunteer who continues to give back to her community.

As a resident of Newark, NJ, Lizz has always been an active volunteer. Some of her accolades include being a founding member of both the Springfield/Belmont Super Neighborhood Committee and The Friends of Nat Turner Park, for which she is also the Vice President, while also being a Founder and Co-President of United Parks as One.

And that’s not all she does! Her involvement within the Newark community is both long-standing and long-reaching. She has commitments with the Newark Public Schools and is the past President of the League of Women Voters-Newark, and holds several awards, including the March 2019 Newark Central Ward Difference Maker Award, the AARP-NJ 2019 MVP Award, and the 2018 Senior Citizen Fashion Show Dedication of Service Award.

Lizz got involved with AARP New Jersey thanks to the recommendation of a former member. This former member knew that Lizz was active in the Newark community and thought AARP would be a great opportunity for her. Since joining AARP as a volunteer, Lizz has participated in a variety of community events, fairs, and festivals where she connects New Jersey residents to AARP resources and information. Lizz is a lead advocacy volunteer in Congressional District 10, has volunteered with her chapter at the NJ Community Food Bank, has participated in multiple Day at the Capitol events, and was honored to be a graduate of National AARP’s Volunteer Leadership Institute II class.

What keeps Lizz’s passion for AARP New Jersey going is the fact that as a volunteer, she gets to share information that people desperately want and need. She enjoys being out in the community to troubleshoot the issues of the older population.

Throughout her years as a volunteer, she has been able to see the organization become more culturally aware and expand its reach to populations such as the LGBTQ+, veterans, and caregivers. She hopes to help the organization on its journey of continual growth by working on issues regarding COVID-19 and voting. Just as AARP New Jersey has positively influenced her life, she feels that her work with AARP New Jersey has also positively influenced the lives of others.

If you’re interested in volunteering with AARP New Jersey, please fill out this short interest form.

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This story is provided by AARP New Jersey. Visit the AARP New Jersey page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.

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