Release: Alabama Volunteer Jessica Brown Wins National AARP Create the Good Contest

MEDIA ALERT
Friday, September 13, 2019

CONTACT:
Evey Bell Owen, AARP Alabama, Interim Associate State Director of Communications
334-274-8611, eowen@aarp.org

Alabama Volunteer Jessica Brown Wins National AARP Create the Good Contest

Brown was selected out of more than 900 nominations nationwide; Prize includes 8 day cruise

(GADSDEN, AL) – On Friday, AARP Create the Good and Cabot Creamery announced Jessica Brown, an Alabama volunteer who dedicates her time and energy to an array of causes, as the winner of the 2019 “Show Your Love Volunteer Contest.”

The AARP Create the Good “Show Your Love Volunteer Contest” ran from February 14 to March 22, 2019. Individuals were nominated by others for their exceptional volunteer service in their communities. The goal of the contest is to raise awareness of exceptional volunteers and thank them for their service. This year’s winner was selected from more than 900 nominees based on three criteria: the description of the person and their service; the impact of their service; and the overall quality of the submission.

Lesli Bishop of the Family Savings Credit Union, who nominated Brown for this award, emphasized her strong commitment to service. “When I think of Jessica Brown, I immediately think of her servant’s heart… I am proud to nominate her for the Show Your Love Volunteer Contest where she will represent all that serving others is meant to be.”

Brown has organized the United Way of Etowah County (UWOEC) Day of Action since 2008, growing participation from 120 to 700 volunteers who perform more than 500 community and agency projects. For four years, she has served as Volunteer Recruitment Co-Chair for Worlds of Work (WOW), a three-day career fair for more than 8,000 8^th and 11^th graders in Etowah and Calhoun Counties. This year, she recruited more than 180 volunteers to support the students through the experience. She has also been active in fundraising for a library program for young children, chairing a Student Leadership program, and hands-on projects ranging from cleaning a child advocacy agency to performing yardwork at a teen shelter.

Candi Williams, AARP Alabama State Director, shared, “AARP is thrilled to honor an exceptional volunteer who so clearly exemplifies the motto of our founder Ethel Percy Andrus ‘to serve and not be served.’ We hope the Create the Good Show Your Love Contest has helped to shine a light on the tremendous contributions made by volunteers, and encouraged others to give back to their communities.”

Brown will receive an 8 day/ 7 night cruise to New England and Canada provided by Cabot Creamery. She, and a guest, will be joined on the cruise by outstanding community service volunteers from other non-profits. The cruise will include special workshops and seminars so that the honored volunteers can continue to enhance their service efforts.

For more details on the winning submission, visit here. Find information on AARP’s Create the Good, on online resource for finding volunteer opportunities and inspiration, here.

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AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

AARP Alabama: www.aarp.org/al | Twitter: @aarpal | Facebook: @alabama.aarp

AARP’s Create the Good connects individuals with volunteer opportunities in their community covering simple activities, time-flexible opportunities and a wide variety of interests.