2015 Andrus Award Recipient To Be Honored Oct. 21

Every year AARP seeks  nominations for the annual Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors one volunteer who has shared their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members. This year’s award goes to Robert Ehlert of Des Plaines, Illinois.

Robert is the Director and founder of the Salvation Army Jobs Program (Des Plaines, IL Corp.) and spends his time helping individuals, especially military and special needs veterans, find work. Since the program started in 2008, over 1000 individuals have been able to find employment through the program.

Robert averages 50 hours a week at the Salvation Army and does additional volunteer work with “Arlington Cares,” a non-profit that assists Arlington Height residents in need of support. Ehlert is Vice President. He also is the Development Director at the Army’s Des Plaines, IL Corp., a member of the Northern Cook County Work Force Board, and has been a chairman for the "Donut Days" and "Red Kettle Campaigns" for almost a decade.

In addition Robert provides aide to communities in need following natural disasters. During the recent tornadoes that hit Fairdale and Rochelle this year, Robert visited impacted areas by helicopter to assess how the Salvation Army could be of most help. Trained in EDS and licensed food service, that wasn’t the first time Ehlert volunteered to help bring positive change to a community in need through service and selflessness.

Robert will be honored October 21 ^st at the Salvation Army in Des Plaines. The Andrus Award is AARP’s most prestigious and visible volunteer honor.

Congratulations Robert!

Award Ceremony

Wednesday, October 21

Noon – 2 pm

 

Salvation Army

609 W. Dempster

Des Plaines, IL 60016