CAPITOL HILL STRIKE FORCE: ADVOCACY IN RED

When legislators in Washington, D.C., gather for a congressional hearing to discuss Social Security, they’re likely to spot Tom Vollmer and Robin Gillette seated in the audience, attentively listening to every word. Vollmer and Gillette are AARP volunteers with the 25-member Capitol Hill Strike Force, an advocacy group largely composed of retirees. These nonpartisan volunteers attend congressional hearings, press conferences, meetings, and other public events—highly visible in their bright red AARP logo shirts—to advocate for the interests of Americans 50-plus and their families on issues that impact their daily lives.  They carry AARP’s message and our activists' personal stories to Members of Congress to put a face on the issue.

Vollmer first discovered the Capitol Hill Strike Force in 2017 while searching for answers to questions he had about Social Security and Medicare. Through AARP’s information hub, he learned that there were volunteer advocacy opportunities available.

“Since I was retired, I thought that would be a great way to spend some of my time,” he says. His enthusiasm inspired his wife, Gillette, to join a couple of months later. “I was so impressed by the people there. They were interesting, intelligent, amazing individuals—so passionate about volunteering, giving back to the community, and serving their country. They really inspired me,” she adds.

Making a Statement in Red

After receiving training, the couple began attending events alongside other volunteers. Each member of the Capitol Hill Strike Force completes general advocacy training and receives briefings specific to each event. Gillette says the group’s presence carries real weight. “We all walk into the hearing room together and head straight for the front row,” she says. “The legislators know who we are—every senator or representative on the committee. They see us, and we see them. Our presence reminds them that the changes they’re discussing directly affect real people like us.” Volunteers also hand-deliver petitions to lawmakers’ offices to show support for specific issues.

Capitol Hill Strike Force volunteers also share personal stories and commentary via social media videos. When preparing to speak out, Vollmer and Gillette take different approaches: Gillette likes to rehearse, while Vollmer prefers to speak off-the-cuff.

Impact Through Advocacy

Both have witnessed the tangible results of their efforts. The Capitol Hill Strike Force played a key role in advocating for the Protecting Older Workers Against Age Discrimination Act. The legislation was passed in the House in January 2020, and the volunteers were invited to sit in the House Gallery for the full committee vote.  “The representative who was instrumental in writing the bill came over, shook our hands, and thanked us personally. That was a special moment,” Gillette recalls. When the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 was passed, Capitol Hill Strike Force volunteers were invited to a celebration on the White House lawn in recognition of their contributions.

Vollmer and Gillette appreciate that the Capitol Hill Strike Force is strictly nonpartisan, focusing solely on what’s best for America’s older adults.

Next month, Social Security—which was launched in August 1935—turns 90. In 2025, nearly 69 million Americans are expected to receive monthly benefits, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Social Security remains one of the most successful and widely supported programs in American history, helping generations of older Americans avoid poverty and live with dignity after a lifetime of hard work. It provides a vital, inflation-adjusted source of income for retirees, individuals with disabilities, and their dependents and survivors. This year, AARP is proud to celebrate Social Security’s legacy—while continuing the fight to protect and strengthen it for today’s older Americans, and for our children and grandchildren in the years to come.

How to Get Involved

Gillette and Vollmer—retired IT professionals with no prior advocacy experience—now find themselves representing millions of Americans in legislative chambers and congressional offices. “Through AARP advocacy, we can help create positive change—even in retirement—and that’s a powerful feeling,” Gillette says. “It’s incredibly meaningful to be an activist for something this important.”

Vollmer encourages others to consider getting involved. “When you join an AARP advocacy group, you’re no longer just one voice. You become part of something larger—you can make a difference,” he says. He also appreciates that AARP offers volunteer opportunities across the country. “So even if you’re far from Washington, D.C., your involvement at the state level is just as important and impactful.”

For more information about AARP volunteer advocacy opportunities, click here. To add your name and pledge to help protect and strengthen Social Security—and to receive AARP advocacy email updates—sign up here. For more volunteer ideas and inspiration, Visit Create the Good.