Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 17 : Summer 2013 | Page 21

submit a story on behalf of a loved one or a friend. Here are some helpful guidelines from the Center’s website: Stories may be about how Social Security is helping with retirement even in these tough financial times. Stories may be about how a veteran was able to live in dignity. Stories may be about you, a family member or a neighbor. Stories may be about how Social Security helped a family after a tragedy. Stories may be about how children were left without parents, but not without economic security. If a story has not come to mind, start asking friends and loved ones. You will find that a story is easy to come across. Chances are, someone you care about has a story to tell. Help their voice be heard. Stories may be about how Social Security helped ensure someone received an education. Telling your story is simple. The Center is looking for stories of 400 words or less or about three minutes of video. All of the stories told as part of the “Social Security Stories Project” will be posted on the Center’s website and other social networking sites. If you would like to share your own story, you can call (207) 208-8955 or go to the Frances Perkins Center’s website at www.socialsecuritystories.org. For over 50 years, AARP has been committed to providing Americans age 50+ with quality, straightforward information on issues that affect them and their families. You may have heard a lot during the 2012 elections and in 2013 about the future of Social Security. If you would like to know more about the proposals being discussed and how they could affect you or your loved ones’ benefits, please let us know. You can call AARP Maine for more information at 1-866554-5380 or, as part of AARP’s initiative You’ve Earned a Say, you can go to www.earnedasay.org for all the latest news and resources. This is a great opportunity for you to make your own voice heard on the future of this important program. Before Roosevelt signed Social Security into law all those years ago, many older Americans literally could not afford to stop working. After 78 years, it is hard to imagine life without Social Security. This benefit, earned over a lifetime of hard work, is making a difference in the lives of millions of families every day. Don’t let Washington decide about the future of this critical program without hearing from you first. Social Security is the one reliable, guaranteed source of income that is there for you in good times and in bad. When one considers the challenging economic climate of the last few years, strengthening Social Security now and for the future has never been more important. In the meantime, happy birthday, Social Security, and here’s to 78 more years! Lori Parham AARP Maine State Director www.aarp.org/me facebook and twitter: aarpmaine SUMMER 2013 21