CARP offers many benefits to aging but active retirees to aging but active retirees

John Maguerian, president of the Niagara Chapter of CARP or the Canadian Association of Retired Persons was our speaker this month. He advised that that CARP, which he suggested should stand for Canadian Association of Rejuvenated Persons, got its start in1984, being modeled after the AARP in the United States, but struggled to survive with relatively few numbers and limited resources. As John pointed out, Canada must operate on a much smaller scale than the U.S. because of our population difference.

Moses Znaimer provided the impetus to get CARP to the point where it is now Canada’s largest advocacy association for older Canadians with more than 300,000 members in 30 chapters across the country. Znaimer saw the needs as the boomer generation reached retirement age but remained active, travelled and, in many cases, continued to work.

Znaimer, who is president of the national CARP group, created zoomers from boomers and Zoomer Media, which publishes Zoomer Magazine, maintains an affiliation with CARP. It is that affiliation, along with membership fees and contributions from other partnerships that provide the financing for the association. The cornerstones (ABCs) of CARP are Advocacy, Benefit and Community.

Locally, the Niagara Chapter takes in 12 municipalities with about 6,000 members. The Niagara group now holds its monthly meetings at the Royal Niagara Golf Club.

John said that CARP offers social activities, classes and workshops, member discounts, insurance and financial services as well as a voice in Ottawa to fight for the rights and interests of Canadians as we age.

CARP is open to anyone 45 or older and membership includes your spouse or partner. The membership fee is just $50 for five years or for an extra $10 you get a subscription to Zoomer Magazine. You can find out more about CARP Niagara, including how to join, by calling 905-931-3863 or by visiting the web site at www.carp.ca/niagara.