Minot's Sharon Ervin Johnson Receives Prestigious Volunteer Community Service Award

Dr. Sharon Ervin Johnson of Minot will be presented with the 2014 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service Oct. 21 in Bismarck.

AARP North Dakota selected Dr. Johnson for her significant volunteer service and for the impact she has on the lives of others and on the two communities where she has lived the past 20 years – Bismarck and Minot.

“Dr. Johnson has enhanced the lives of hundreds of individuals from all walks of life,” read the nomination submitted for her. “She has been willing to take a leadership role in addressing needs that many others would have difficulty doing or would find challenging. For example, when she became aware that there was no shelter for homeless men in Minot, she took a leadership role, and worked with her church and several other churches, to develop a shelter for homeless men. When it became obvious that volunteers would be needed daily for several months after the Minot flood, many people were willing to volunteer for a few hours or for a few days, but she volunteered up to eight hours a day for several months with both the Red Cross and Salvation Army emergency shelter and support programs. Her volunteer work tutoring non-English speakers has been another special challenge, enabling them to better integrate into society and find employment.”

Dr. Johnson’s volunteer work in Bismarck and Minot would certainly add up to several thousands of hours. Just during the past 10 years she has volunteered for numerous organizations, including Prairie Public, AARP, YMCA, Rotary Club, Minot State University, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Church of Christ, Minot Area Men’s Winter Refuge, Minot Public Library, Bismarck Veterans Public Library, National Council for International Visitors, Hostfest, English as a Second Language Program, and North Dakota Heritage Center.

“Dr. Johnson often takes a leadership position in addressing challenging community needs, and has both inspired and recruited other volunteers to serve with her. She also has been a wonderful example of someone who goes above and beyond in contributing volunteer time and resources. She continues to inspire many other community leaders and volunteers to address community needs.”

The AARP award will be formally presented to Dr. Johnson during a volunteer recognition banquet Oct. 21 at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck.

Others nominees who will also be recognized at the banquet are Duane Bergeson, Fred Browning, and Darlene Danielson, all of Bismarck; Gary Ellingson, Minot; and Sara Larson, Fargo.

The Andrus Award is AARP’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award for community service and symbolizes that individuals have the power and ability to make a difference in the lives of others. The award is given to one North Dakotan annually.