Recognizing AAA Member Volunteers

When volunteers are needed, AAA Northeast members answer the call.

As part of its commitment to strengthen communities, AAA Northeast encourages employees and members to volunteer with local charitable organizations, supporting causes ranging from environmental conservation to combating food insecurity and assisting families in need.

Earth Month cleanups at local parks and beaches are some of the most popular member volunteer opportunities.

Among those who return every April are Jim Goulet of Wakefield, Rhode Island, and Wanda Ruiz and her daughter, Amorah, of Worcester, Massachusetts. They were recently given AAA Cares baseball caps in recognition of their dedication. Pins on the brim mark the number of years they have participated in the annual cleanups — four years for the Ruiz family and three years for Goulet.

Would you like to volunteer with AAA Northeast? Find upcoming community events near you.

Building Community Teams

For AAA Northeast, building community involvement is a priority.

“Our goal was to get more members involved,” said Branch Manager Maggie McMenemy, who leads the Earth Month events. “Year over year, we have made progress to increase our member involvement.”

Previous volunteers are asked every year if they want to participate again.

“Jim and Wanda always say yes,” said McMenemy.

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Loving Giving Back

For Ruiz, the AAA Earth Month events were the motivation she needed to jump into community service.

“I started volunteering four years ago when I received an email about the Earth Day cleanup at Elm Park,” Ruiz said. “I was looking for a way to get involved, and that was the perfect opportunity! What I like most about engaging in community service is giving back to the community I grew up in and coming together with like-minded people who have a similar passion. Earth Day for me is special, as we get to take care of the planet we live on, not only for now but for future generations.”

Her 10-year-old daughter, Amorah, has joined her every year.

“She’s always willing to help and is great with recycling, so we figured this is a great way to get out there and hopefully motivate her to do her part,” Ruiz said.

Goulet, a 45-year AAA member, joined Save the Bay with AAA for the past three years, because he values giving back to the community.

“I like making things cleaner and better,” Goulet said. “I spend a lot of time on the beach, and I enjoy walking, swimming and relaxing.”

Goulet was paying his membership dues at a AAA branch three years ago when he saw a notice about the beach cleanup.

“I’ve always done beach cleanups and things, in other areas. I always want to give back,” he said.

He posted the call for volunteers in a coffee group he belongs to, in an effort to spread the word.

Help Us Make a Difference

Anyone who has been thinking of volunteering should just get out there, Ruiz said.

“There’s an instant satisfaction when you go help and do something good. And if they don’t want to do it alone, things like this are a perfect way to start. Get together with your community or gather a few friends and family and make a difference no matter how small it may seem.”

This is what AAA Northeast has been aiming to build over the years, according to McMenemy.

“A group of like-minded people who we can count on to return and continue our journey together. It makes all this worth it, and I can’t thank them enough,” she said.

We’d love to see you at our next community event! Find AAA community service events in your area.

Left to right, Maggie McMenemy, AAA; Amorah Ruiz, Wanda Ruiz, Kelly Haynes, AAA, participating in the cleanup at Elm Park.

Ellen R. Delisio

Ellen is a content producer for AAA Northeast, covering automotive, finance, public affairs and electric vehicle news. She is a former newspaper reporter with experience writing for print and online publications about everything from higher education to sustainability. She recently returned to her native Long Island after living in Connecticut for 20-plus years, and has never met a beach she didn’t like.