The simple answer is cost. An advertising spot in the AARP magazine costs $334,000 for a 1/3 page black and white advertisement. That amount is a third of our operating budget during a year with typical participation. Here is a link to advertising in the AARP magazine: https://advertise.aarp.org/aarp-advertising-rates/the-magazine?region=1&edition=1
We encourage clubs and members around the world to reach out to their local free publications to advertise the idea of Friendship Force and to look for other opportunities like news articles, op-eds, guest podcaster opportunities, etc. to share personal experiences from Friendship Force Journeys.