Anne and Tom Eisenman Honored with 2025 AARP Massachusetts Andrus Award for Community Service

AARP Massachusetts is proud to announce that Anne and Tom Eisenman of Springfield, MA have been selected as the recipients of the 2025 AARP Massachusetts Andrus Award for Community Service, the association’s most prestigious volunteer honor. Named for AARP founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, this award celebrates individuals who embody the principles of service and make a lasting impact in their communities.

For more than 16 years, Anne and Tom have been pillars of Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH), contributing over 4,000 volunteer hours locally and internationally. Their journey began in 2009 on construction sites, where they worked side by side building homes and performing critical repairs. Their commitment quickly expanded beyond the build site: Anne served six years on the GSHFH Board of Directors,including terms as Vice President and President, providing steady leadership through organizational transitions and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tom remained a constant presence on-site, mentoring new volunteers and ensuring safety standards.

Together, the Eisenmans have helped 65 families achieve homeownership or receive essential home repairs, improving health, stability, and financial security. Their creativity shines through Anne’s handcrafted quilts for fundraising auctions and Tom’s innovative virtual home-build game, which engaged donors during pandemic restrictions. Their efforts have strengthened community bonds, inspired countless volunteers, and advanced the mission of safe, affordable housing.

“Anne and Tom didn’t just build houses—they built stability and opportunity for their neighbors,” said Jennifer Benson, AARP Massachusetts State Director. “Their leadership and compassion embody the spirit of the Andrus Award and AARP’s mission to help people choose how they live as they age.”

Anne and Tom’s work reflects AARP’s vision of a society where everyone can age with dignity and purpose. In their own retirement years, they have chosen to devote themselves to meaningful service, proving that later life can be a time of growth, leadership, and impact. As AARP Massachusetts State President Dennis Hohengasser noted, “Purpose doesn’t retire. The Eisenmans show how volunteers transform communities and inspire others to step forward.”

Please join us in congratulating Anne and Tom Eisenman for their extraordinary contributions to the Greater Springfield community and beyond. Their dedication, innovation, and compassion embody the spirit of the Andrus Award and inspire us all.