Volunteers Find Fulfillment in Community

Jack Shahbazian, a veteran volunteer for AARP Arizona, and Adelia Hefiln, a newer addition to AARP’s volunteer team, both became AARP Volunteers for the same reason — to grow their own personal community in Phoenix.

Shahbazian, originally from Michigan, moved to Arizona to attend college. He decided to stay after finding a job in the tax and finance industry. Similarly, Heflin worked in the career development space for an Arizona-based recruitment agency.

After their careers, the two wanted to find a way to give back to the Phoenix community and found volunteering with AARP Arizona to be a perfect fit.

Shahbazian said, “When I was young and I was working, I always had someplace to be, someplace to go, someone to talk to. So this just fills one pocket of being somewhere.”

For both Shahbazian and Heflin, AARP has provided more than just a place to volunteer – it has given them a home away from home, a place to be with others, a place to share experiences, and a place to make a lasting impact within their community.

Shahbazian joined AARP Arizona during the COVID-19 pandemic after a friend encouraged him to join. Shahbazian has a history of volunteering with a Valley food bank, but he felt he could do more. It is the primary reason he signed up to become an AARP Arizona volunteer after briefly being a general member.

He enjoys volunteering with AARP Arizona thanks to its social nature. At the food bank, “It was actually filling the bags and running around and putting things together. But that was more hard work, more labor. This (AARP Arizona) is a lot more social.”

Shahbazian says he finds every volunteering shift fascinating, given the variety of events, “It's been a good experience for me, just to entertain and talking to other people. You know, seniors need to stay active. Need to stay with other people. That's what's important to me.”

Staying active and involved in her community is important for Adelia Heflin as well. Heflin recently joined AARP Arizona as a general member and volunteer. Before even completing her first volunteer shift, Heflin knew she would fit in with the mission of AARP Arizona. Just like Shahbazian, Heflin has a background in volunteering.

“Just helping, making a difference in someone's life,” says Heflin. “I think sometimes just having the information that they may need and just letting them know ‘I'm here if you need someone.’”

Heflin is already encouraging her friends and family members to join the AARP Arizona volunteer team. Having lived in Michigan, Ohio and California before coming to Arizona for its warm weather, she has always found joy in engaging in volunteer work.

“I just find it's a pleasure. I always volunteer. No matter where I lived, I volunteered for someone,” she shared. “So I think this is going to be an adventure that I'm really going to like a lot.”

The volunteers note that their service is not time-consuming, but rather fulfilling and energizing. Shahbazian says, “It's usually just hanging out with the few other people that show up to the events and just be there for people and each other. That's all.”

Sign up to become an AARP State Volunteer