AARP Illinois Recognizes Sandra McAvoy as Andrus Award Recipient

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Monika Wnuk, AARP Illinois Communications, mwnuk@aarp.org

December 15, 2025

AARP Illinois Recognizes Sandra McAvoy for Her Dedication and Commitment to Community Service with its Most Prestigious Volunteer Award

Chicago, IL.– Sandra McAvoy has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2025 AARP Illinois Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.

AARP Illinois selected McAvoy for her remarkable service, which has greatly benefited AARP Illinois’ 1.7 million members and older adults across the state, reflected AARP’s vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers.

McAvoy has lobbied tirelessly in Illinois on many issues, two of which included lowering medication costs for older adults and creating a statewide caregiver portal to ease navigation of resources for Illinois’ 1.3 million caregivers. Often referenced as a volunteer for whom no project is too small, McAvoy has also been instrumental in an annual AARP Illinois “Holiday Cards that Care” project, which mails more than 10,000 holiday cards to older adults in nursing homes.

“This award acts as a symbol to the public that an individual can make a major difference to positively impact their community, and especially during their retirement years,” says Philippe Largent, State Director of AARP Illinois. “AARP has long valued the spirit of volunteerism and the important contributions volunteers make to their communities, neighbors, and the programs they serve.”

Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.

ABOUT AARP

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, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, 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/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.