State's top volunteers honored

DURHAM – When it comes to improving the health, finances and personal fulfillment of people across the state, few volunteers work as hard as Ronald “Ron” and Cynthia Ivey of Raleigh. The couple was honored this week with North Carolina's prestigious Andrus Award for Community Service presented annually by AARP .

Named in honor of AARP’s founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, this esteemed volunteer tribute recognizes outstanding individuals who are sharing their experience, talents and skills to enrich the lives of others.

In their various volunteer roles over the years, they have supported driver safety programs, conducted caregivers’ training and support, provided financial and retirement planning education, and most recently have brought financial literacy programs to the area’s faith-based communities.

In a first-of-its'- kind effort, Ron and Cynthia have been involved in a “Financial Freedom” pilot project with Shaw University Divinity School. Ron serves as the volunteer lead on the project and Cynthia serves as one of the project’s liaisons. The project is a partnership between Shaw University Divinity School and AARP to advance financial literacy in 15 Wake County African- American churches through a curriculum developed by the AARP Foundation. Ron and Cynthia work with the leadership of the designated churches to support the initiative and to provide guidance.

AARP North Carolina President Robert Palombo, who presented the Award to the Iveys during a weekend training for 120 AARP volunteers from across the state, said, “Ron and Cynthia Ivey are one of AARP’s most dynamic duos. It is rare to see one performing volunteer service without the other. They attend meetings and trainings together. They serve on committees together. And, they support and promote the well- being of older adults in the state together.”

In addition to promoting the health and well-being of older adults, the Iveys are volunteer leaders for their church St. Paul AME and they volunteer together at the Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels. Ron also volunteers with his fraternity Omega Psi Phi and Cynthia volunteers with her sorority Delta Sigma Theta.

Palombo said, “AARP volunteers like the Iveys are making a difference in communities across the state by supporting family caregivers, helping North Carolinians retire with more confidence, fighting to ensure you only pay what is reasonable and justified for your utility bill, helping people stay engaged at work or find their next job or career, and putting an end to adult hunger to name just a few.”

Palombo reminds those looking for meaningful ways to give back to their communities that they can find volunteer opportunities at www.aarp.org/volunteer

 

PHOTO: Cynthia and Ronald Ivey (center) with some previous Andrus Award winners, (left) Richard and Dee Hatch of Cary, Helen Mack of Winston-Salem, and Chip Modlin of Fayetteville.