Meet our 2017 Andrus Award Winner -- Norman O'Grady!

Norman O’Grady – who, at the age of 93, has spent over thirty years helping low-income seniors in Louisville – is the 2017 winner of the AARP Kentucky Andrus Award for Community Service.

And Project Warm, a non-profit where O’Grady spends much of his time and energy, is a big winner too – earning a $2,000 check from AARP Kentucky.

AARP Kentucky honored Norman O'Grady today during a lunch at Project Warm.  The Andrus Award – named after AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus – is given to outstanding older Kentuckians who are making a powerful difference in their communities through volunteer work.

“Norman O’Grady has spent an incredible amount of time and energy giving back to his community – if you add up his time spent in service to others for Project Warm, it totals more than 1,150 days,” said AARP Kentucky State President Charlotte Whittaker.  “That is the embodiment of our founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus’ motto -- “to serve, not to be served.

Over the past three decades, Norman has volunteered his time and skills for Project Warm. He works to improve the lives of low-income seniors by making energy improvements and repairs to their homes. Repairs include repairing and weather stripping doors, sealing drafty areas, replacing missing window glass, furnishing furnace filters and making wall, ceiling and floor repairs.

Norman works with a crew of volunteers to perform the hands on work.  In fact, Norman has recruited many of those volunteers with his strong work ethic, cheerful attitude, and commitment to service. He is a natural born leader who serves a role model to the rest of the volunteer team at Project Warm.

“We are thrilled to recognize Norman O’Grady with the most celebrated volunteer award given by AARP,” continued Whittaker. “His incredible devotion to service can inspire us all.”

Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve communities and inspire others to volunteer.