AARP Kansas Announces Andrus Award Winner

AARP Kansas honored our volunteers for their leadership, advocacy and volunteer spirit. The organization presented the Annual Andrus Award and Kansas Volunteer Excellence Awards during a recent two-day volunteer recognition and training event.

“I want to thank these volunteers for everything they do,” said AARP Kansas state director Glenda DuBoise. “They exemplify what AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus meant when she said "The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in giving of oneself to others that we truly live."

Andrus Award
The Andrus Award is presented annually to AARP volunteers in each state who have served in an outstanding fashion, made a powerful difference in their community, and brought a lifetime of experience and leadership to serve others. The award is special because it provides an opportunity to acknowledge, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, who was a pioneer and visionary woman - with ideas that would revolutionize our views on aging. She saw real people with real needs and challenges and figured out ways to make life better for them, and ultimately, for all of us.

AARP Kansas awarded Cindy White with this year’s Andrus Award. White has always had a positive attitude towards her volunteering. If you need something, she will be the first to volunteer. She is often described as a go-getter. She is dedicated to improving the community and more specifically helping the residents of her community in Topeka.

Her volunteer efforts are immense:

· She works for the Topeka Family Friends Juneteenth Celebration serving as the treasurer. She raises funds, finds sponsors, helps to organize this event, making sure that it is carried out every year for the Topeka community.

· She also volunteers with the Topeka Rescue Mission, where she steps out of her comfort zone to work with the homeless to provide them with financial assistance, basic needs and medical assistance.

Other activities include:

• Topeka High School Historical Society
• Chair of The Business Partners of The Living Dream, Inc.
• Brown V Board National Park.
  

She is also a member of the Topeka Leadership Council for AARP Kansas and regularly helps at tabling events and other activities. Cindy inspires others to volunteer, because her passion is contagious. Her leadership encourages others to step up.

Congratulations to Cindy for her extraordinary commitment to service!

AARP Kansas also recognized individuals as Volunteers in Excellence.

Bolton Award

The Merle Bolton Award for Excellence in Leadership was established in 2004. Dr. Bolton served AARP Kansas in a variety of leadership positions, including, volunteer state president for four years.

This year, three individuals received the Bolton award.

Dona Gibson – Wichita Leadership Council Chair

Alice Chavez – Topeka Leadership Council Chair

Marie Carter - Volunteer

Garvin Award

AARP Kansas established the Ann Garvin Award for Excellence in Community Service
to recognize and value the spirit of volunteerism, and the important contributions volunteers make to their communities, neighbors and programs they serve.

This year the award went to eight outstanding volunteers:

 Tavrick Lawless & Anita Raghavan

Joan Barrier

Rick Gibson

Manuel Chavez

Patricia Valdivia

Howard & Diane Givens

Freeman Award

The AARP Kansas Sonny Freeman Award for Advocacy Service recognizes outstanding AARP volunteers making a powerful difference in their communities consistent with AARP's mission, vision, and strategic direction.

AARP Kansas presented this award to Linda Redford, who serves on the AARP Kansas Executive Council.

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all AARP Kansas volunteers for their service to others!