Retiring twenty years ago after having been active in my local union was like falling off the edge of the world. Oh, I could have spent retirement doing some long forgotten maintenance, and landscaping and yard work around the house and taking up some old and new hobbies but there was just something missing. I was so grateful to have a good pension and with the knowledge that our union had my back into the future that I wanted to do my part in making sure others would have that same sense of security.
We didn’t have a SOAR chapter at the time, but with the help of the SOAR Executive Board Member in my district, one was established and we have met each and every month without fail for twenty years now.
SOAR has allowed me to help our union in so many ways. We have helped in organizing campaigns, lobbying Congress, helping retirees with medical insurance problems and questions. Because our chapter members are so scattered having retired from a utility company in northern Indiana, our main service to our communities is through our monetary contributions to disaster relief, food banks, union members locked out or on strike and other worthwhile non-profit organizations and needs. This list could go on and on.
Finally, I must say that although SOAR hasn’t kept me young, it certainly has kept me feeling young.
TELL US YOUR STORY!
Are you an active USW retiree or member of an active SOAR Chapter? Has SOAR made a difference in your life or your community? Tell us your story!