Today I attended an event put on by our local AARP chapter, the Hawaii Bicycling League, The Bus, and a number of other agencies like Vanpool Hawaii.
While I am eligible for the AARP, I’m not member. I found out about this through HBL. I am glad I attended, even if I’m not quite ready for some of benefits.
Here’s how things worked this morning. Outside at the NBC (Neal Blaisdell Center) a bus, a HandiVan, and a Vanpool Hawaii vehicle were parked. Folks were able to size things up and most fun, those with wheelchairs and other assisting devices were able to try the bus on for size. In addition there was a bike that we could take on and off the bus rack on the front of the bus. Employees of TheBus where there to assist and explain and they did a fantasic job.
Entering the event room I passed by the registration desk manned by AARP volunteers. Information about the AARP was available there as well. We were given a sheet to collect stickers from each of the station inside the room; this was very much like some of things we do at work. If you got at least three stickers you were eligible for a drawing. I didn’t win, but then I’m not on a fixed income so I’m really sort of glad I didn’t.
Booths were set up around the room featuring a number of agencies and companies:
- Catholic Charities Hawaii
- Project Dana
- Elderly Affairs Division of the C&C of Honolulu
- League Bicycle Training – through Island Triathlon & Bike
- Walk Wise Hawaii – Hawaii State DOT
- FLT Consulting – hired by C&C of Honolulu
- TheHandi-Van
- TheBus – Yea for bike racks!
- Vanpool Hawaii
- Hawaii Bicycling League
I made the rounds, collected my stickers, and got some great swag. I should mention there was a nice free continental breakfast as well. In short, it was two hours well spent.
If that were all, it would have been a good event. But in addition a panel consisting of representatives from the League Bicycle Training, TheBus, and Vanpool Hawaii was convened and each panelist gave a good overview of their programs.
Each was interesting and geared their talk towards seniors as best they could, but just as importantly, each pointed out the Green Value and cost savings that using their mode of transportation would entail.
Though it is, of course, over, I’ve saved the flier for the event: Get Out and Ride mailer..
That was my morning. I’ll be blogging all of this at work as well where I’ve been asked to join a number of other members on our in-house “green blog.” It should be fun!
Aloha!