Longtime Volunteer Jane Baumgarten captures 2014 Andrus Award

AARP Oregon is pleased to announce that Jane Baumgarten of North Bend has been selected the 2014 AARP Oregon’s Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service. The Andrus Award is named for AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus and honors an outstanding Oregon volunteer age 50 or older who is sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.

Jane has worked many decades with a variety of organization to enhance quality of life for all. She is a role model for leading a life of purpose and community service. During her decades-long volunteer career with AARP, Jane has held many different roles. From serving on the AARP national Board of Directors to chairing AARP's national Health and Long-Term Care Advisory Committee, from leading the Oregon State Legislative Committee to educating the community about the policies that impact them, Jane has put her interest and passion for health and long-term care policy into action in real and impactful ways.

“Jane’s focused and untiring actions to secure health and financial security for all as we age, is inspiring,” said Chad Cheriel, AARP Oregon Executive Committee Chairman.

Jane’s steady dedication and work served to inspire several generations of AARP volunteers as well as staff.  “We found her ability to stay focused, open to ideas and team work regardless of one’s title as modeling success,” noted Jerry Cohen, AARP Oregon State Director.

Having served on a national board of directors, it might have been easy for Jane to rest on her laurels and look at national endeavors. Instead, she remained tied to her roots with both AARP and her community! Jane participated in AARP’s "Day at the Capitol" advocacy efforts and attended committee hearings on a regular basis. Until recently, she drove from North Bend to Salem nearly every week during the legislative session, sitting in hearings, taking notes and reviewing handouts, meeting with legislators, sharing her thoughts on specific bills, and working closely with staff.

In addition to her work with AARP, Jane has been an active volunteer at both the state and local levels with many other organizations, including as a member of the

Governor’s Commission for Senior Services, Coos County Area Agency on Aging as well as the Pacific Child Center boards of directors, and an active member of League of Women Voters. As a former educator, Jane has also been active with the Oregon Education Association serving on the State Legislative Committee and president of the North Bend Education Association.

The Andrus Award was presented to Mrs Baumgarten, by Betty Coe-DeBrokert, a member of the AARP Oregon Executive Committee, at a local ceremony on Oct 24th in the Coos Bay Firehouse, 450 Elrod Avenue, Coos Bay.

In addition to the Coos Bay mayor, Sen. Roblan and Rep. McKown attended.