Appreciating Our Volunteers: Ken Allen

As we move toward the end of National Volunteer Appreciation Week 2016, AARP CA continues to highlight some of our outstanding and dedicated volunteers. AARP CA is honored to have an amazing group of gifted and selfless volunteers who are eager to dedicate their time and skills to help others in their communities. Among this incredible group of volunteers is Ken Allen.

Before Ken began volunteering with AARP, he spent 41 years as a sports broadcaster for the American Forces Network. He also umpired division one college baseball for 30 years, and had the opportunity to umpire in four  NCAA Division II Baseball Championships.

Ken became an AARP CA volunteer after reading an article in the AARP Bulletin asking for volunteers. AARP’s work on fraud detection and prevention inspired Ken to become a volunteer; he felt the skills he learned throughout his career could be used to help others avoid fraud and other schemes. Ken often uses his effective communication skills to give engaging presentations to retirement communities on a wide array of topics. Ken cites having the opportunity to engage people and listen to their stories as his favorite aspect of volunteering. When he began volunteering with AARP, Ken was surprised at the amount of dedication that leadership figures provided. “Any time I had a question people were very helpful and timely in getting the information needed,” he says. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Ken continually finds motivation to continue his work by staying positive and seeking the best in people.

When asked what he would tell someone who was considering volunteering with AARP CA, Ken said, “Do it! One of the greatest joys in life is volunteering your time for the betterment of others”.

AARP CA would like to show our appreciation for Ken and his tireless efforts to help AARP in its mission to create livable communities for all.

Do you know someone like Ken, who is using his or her skills and experience to make a significant difference in your community? If so, honor his or her dedication, commitment, and creativity with a nomination for the 2016 AARP California Andrus Award for Community Service — AARP’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service. Nominations for this year’s award will be accepted through June 3, 2016 at the AARP California office.  Nomination forms are available by contacting Antoine Cook at (626) 585-2608, on the web at www.aarp.org/AndrusAward or by calling 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277).