AARP Montana Announces 2024 Winner of its most Prestigious Volunteer Award

Kelly Ryan Huffield of White Sulphur Springs selected as recipient of 2024 Andrus Award for Community Service

Helena, Mont., Dec. 4, 2024 -- AARP Montana announced that Kelly Ryan Huffield of White Sulphur Springs was selected to receive the 2024 Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious volunteer award. Each year AARP honors the legacy of AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, with the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service. This award is a symbol of the power of individuals to make a difference in the lives of others. The award was formally presented to Kelly during a recent online ceremony, which was joined by enthusiastic watch parties from senior centers in both Yellowstone County and Meagher County. 

“Kelly is truly an inspiration. Her dedication to others represents the principles of the Andrus Award for Community Service -- she embodies the legacy of Ethel Percy Andrus’ motto, ‘to serve and not to be served’,” said Nancy Andersen, AARP Montana Director of Outreach. 

In congratulating Kelly, AARP Montana State President, Sandy Baily said “AARP Montana takes great pride in recognizing Kelly Huffield for her large body of volunteer work in the White Sulphur Springs community.” 

Kelly became active in the White Sulphur Springs Chamber of Commerce and served as an officer from 2006 – 2019 and is still active today. Kelly demonstrates her love of community by the projects that she undertakes. For example, Kelly played a crucial role in raising funds for the “Get Lit White Sulphur Springs” project, a $140,000 initiative to enhance the town’s Main Street with beautiful carriage lights. 

While with the Chamber, she worked tirelessly to develop and promote local businesses and tourism, she handled public relations, membership acquisition and organized tourist information. One of her notable contributions was organizing the Christmas Stroll and spearheading the Art & Cultural Trail barn quilt project, which involved placing over 120 quilt-patterned boards across Meagher County. The project was helpful to communities across the region as the tour route included Ringling, Lennep, Martinsdale, and Checkerboard. 

Kelly also developed the Meagher County Health Expo which she coordinated for more than 10 years. This event provides great benefit to the entire community by bringing together health-related organizations for the Expo as well as providing a low-cost blood draw that screens for many common health conditions. After establishing and coordinating this event for years, Kelly was able to transition its coordination to the local Lion’s Club. 

Kelly’s community contributions also include serving on the Meagher County Community Foundation Board which funds various local initiatives including the Covid-19 Response Fund and the Meagher County Wildfire Relief Fund. Kelly has also served on the Park Advisory Committee evaluating and improving city parks, making them safe and accessible. Her latest initiative, the Adopt-A-Spot Program aims to further transform the community by engaging local volunteers. The program pairs public spaces with individuals or organizations to “adopt” areas of the community to beautify and maintain. 

Kelly’s pet project in White Sulphur Springs is the annual Race for This Place event held on the 4th of July. For 18 years, this event has raised more than $167,000 for various local organizations. 

“Kelly Huffield has done it all and she makes a significant difference in White Sulphur Springs and Meagher County,” said Tim Summers, AARP Montana State Director. “Thank you Kelly for all you’ve done, you are truly deserving of the Montana Andrus Award for Community Service. This is an amazing demonstration of the volunteer spirit. On behalf of AARP Montana, we are honored to present Kelly Huffield with the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service!” 

As part of the award, AARP Montana will donate $2500 in Kelly Huffield’s name to the Meagher County Community Senior Center. 

Also at the event, special awards were presented to the following individuals and organizations: 

Outstanding Community Partner: Montana State University Extension Team Members

• Tara Mastel and the Community Vitality Team, Red Lodge
  AARP Montana partnered with Tara Mastel and the Community Vitality team to create a new Reimaging Rural Community Project Award program. The collaboration provided real on-the-ground impact for projects across the state by providing $1,000 grants to Reimaging Rural alumni in 11 rural communities.

• Dan Koltz, Assistant Professor and Gerontologist Specialist, Bozeman
  For many years, Dan Koltz has been holding Caregiver Respite Retreats and Mobile Memory Café tours across the state. These activities have been successful in reaching family caregivers across Montana, especially in rural areas and they provide family caregivers much-needed support and resources. Dan’s leadership in the area of Kinship Care helps families to grow and adjust to unique circumstances.

•  Joel Schumacher, MSU Extension Economics Associate Specialist, Three Forks
  Joel Schumacher is a proven leader for financial literacy across the state and has helped Montanans stay up-to-date on what they need to know as they get closer to retirement age. An additional collaboration with AARP Montana includes working with Joel on the semiannual Montana Financial Education Coalition’s conference. Most recently the partnership resulted in educating young adults on Social Security.

•  Marsha Goetting, Professor and MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist, Bozeman
  Marsha Goetting has been a long-time close partner with AARP Montana sharing her expertise in estate planning with people across the age spectrum. A regular guest expert on webinars and telephone town halls, Marsha shares her knowledge in a way that everyone understands. Her creative use of wildflowers helps to emphasize a point and draws the audience in. Additionally, Marsha’s passion to help families struggling with dementia issues has driven her to create and share innovative resources for Native Crow families and for farm and ranch families involved in the dementia journey. Marsha continues to be an advocate and educator.

“These individuals from Montana State University’s Extension Program have helped to create impact across Montana,” said Andersen. “Thanks so much for all you do!”

Empty Bowl Award: Loraine Wodnik, Helena
Loraine Wodnik has put AARP Montana on the food security map over the last three years with her ongoing and hands-on work with Helena Food Share. Loraine’s passion for food security work has benefited hundreds of Lewis and Clark County residents. Not only has she supported the many volunteers at Helena Food Share with lunches and snacks during key events and projects, she has also been in the trenches with them during major distribution events throughout the year. AARP Montana appreciates Loraine’s selfless service and dedication.

Outstanding AARP Community Ambassador: Rita Beberniss, Deer Lodge
Although Rita is a fairly new community ambassador volunteer, she has moved quickly to become engaged with AARP Montana and within her community. After traveling from Deer Lodge, she was extremely helpful staffing AARP Montana tables at the Billings Fraud Summit and at the Governor’s Conference on Aging. Rita also helped her community by utilizing a Montana Community Ambassador Project Award that was used to purchase new food warming bags for the Deer Lodge Meals on Wheels program. “We wish to thank Rita for all she has done, it’s great to have her represent AARP Montana in Deer Lodge,” said Andersen.

Veterans and Military Families Outreach Award: Kim Kay McCarty Martin, Great Falls
Kim Kay McCarty Martin has been volunteering with AARP Montana for about three years and as a Veteran herself, she has brought insight and an enhanced connection to Montana’s Veteran community. Kim Kay is an active member of the American Legion and she serves as a Vice Commander of the American Legion Department of Montana. In that capacity, she travels to American Legion Posts across the state and she’s able to share AARP Veteran and Military Family resources with Montana’s Legion members. “Kim Kay has staffed the AARP Montana table at many Veteran event and we’re appreciate her work with the Veteran community,” said Andersen.

Outstanding Fraud Fighter Volunteer of the Year: Susan Bivins, Anaconda
Susan Bivins is a survivor of an extremely sophisticated scam that robbed her of a large amount of money leaving her to rely totally on Social Security as her only retirement income. Susan courageously shares her story at events in hopes that it will keep others from becoming victims of fraud or scams. Susan has shared her story on statewide webinars, at the Governor’s Conference on Aging and in recorded videos for Adult Protective Services and the State Auditor’s office. Susan was even featured on an episode of AARP’s The Perfect Scam Podcast. 

“I was thrilled that Susan traveled with me to Washington DC this summer for an AARP Fraud Intensive Training Session. Her storytelling and our staff/volunteer partnership was highlighted in a breakout session as a model for other AARP offices. Susan is a true Fraud Fighter and I’m thrilled to give her this award! Thanks for all you do Susan,” said Andersen.

Andrus Award Finalist:  Doris Davenport, Laurel
Doris has been a valued volunteer in Laurel and Billings for many years. She has been a dedicated Tax-Aide volunteer for 21 years helping older residents by preparing tax returns. Doris has also volunteered for many years delivering Meals on Wheels and volunteering with Hospice. She’s also a valued volunteer at the Laurel Senior Center. “Thanks for all you do Doris, your contributions demonstrate a life of service and have made an impressive impact in your community,” said Andersen. 

Montana Retired Educators Outstanding Volunteer: Cheryl Kingery, Great Falls
The Montana Retired Educator Association has chosen Cheryl Kingery as the Outstanding MREA Volunteer for 2024. Cheryl is one of those volunteers who quietly volunteers her time and makes a real impact in so many areas. Cheryl works every week at Riverview School in the library checking books in and out and shelving them. As a retired Librarian, she knows first-hand the heavy workload that a school librarian faces.

Cheryl is a quilter who frequently donates her quilts and she serves on her Condo Board. She is also active with her church, serving on the Board in a finance role and helping with weekly dinners for those in need. She also sings in the choir and collects recycling and takes it to the recycling center for her church. Finally, Cheryl has been the treasurer for North Central Montana Retired Educators Unit for many years. Not only does she keep track of the Unit’s money, she handles investments, registers people for the quarterly luncheons, and receives dues from members who join online. 

“Thank you, Cheryl for making a difference in North Central Montana,” said Andersen.

 Outstanding Community Engagement Award:  Glady and Al Turnquist, Billings
Al and Glady Turnquist have been AARP Montana volunteers in Billings for several years. They remained loyal and connected throughout the pandemic, when opportunities to volunteer temporarily ceased. This year, AARP Montana began increasing the number of activities held in Billings and Al and Glady were the first in line to help, no matter the task. They traveled all over Billings sharing flyers about AARP Montana’s many events and obtained permission to post the flyers at senior living facilities, and at businesses around town. They staffed tables at AARP Montana events and took ownership of the 2025 Cupid Crew rose delivery securing permission to share more than 500 roses on Valentine’s Day of 2025. 

“They are always happy and enthusiastic about all our projects and they’re just so darn fun to work with. Many thanks to Glady and Al Turnquist for all you’ve done in the Billings community,” said Andersen. 

AARP Foundation’s outstanding Tax-Aid Volunteer: Janet Lilley, Missoula
Janet Lilley has been selected as the outstanding Tax-Aide volunteer by State Coordinator Chuck Geller. Janet has served in a variety of positions over the years at the local, district and state levels. She was the Training Specialist for Montana prior to the pandemic where she instituted a training program with special emphasis on rural sites within the state. Her program helped bring rural sites to the same standards as sites in larger communities. As District Coordinator, she has grown her district from one site to four. Janet was also instrumental in rolling out the only Facilitated Self-Assistance site in her District. She has been a valuable sounding board to the current State Coordinator as well as to his two predecessors.

“Thank you, Janet, for your dedication and commitment to the ideals of the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program,” said Andersen.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Thom Ainsworth, Hamilton
Thom Ainsworth has served diligently as the Montana Driver Safety State Coordinator for the last 10 years and served as a District Coordinator and instructor for at least five years before that. Thom is the “Energizer Bunny” of Driver Safety in Montana and has skillfully managed and led the program through some challenging times, including COVID and AARP Driver Safety’s transition to more electronic and online engagement. Thom is very comfortable with technology and trying new ways to get the driver safety message out to AARP Montana and Wyoming members. He is also very well known for his quick wit and jokes. 

“Thank you, Thom, for all your continuing work for the AARP Driver Safety Program -- you’ve been an amazing volunteer for so many years.,” said Andersen. 

Lifetime Achievement Award: Doris Balko, Missoula
Dorie Balko started volunteering for AARP as a State Legislative Committee Volunteer in 2000 right after she retired from teaching in the Missoula County Public Schools with 37 years of service. She has served AARP Montana in many different roles over the years and has also served diligently in leadership roles with the Montana Retired Educators Association. Dorie brightens up any room when she walks in with her cheerful, engaging, and caring demeanor. 

“Thanks Dorie for your many years of volunteer service and your commitment to children and educators,” said Andersen. 

In congratulating all award recipients, Montana State Director Tim Summers concluded "this is an amazing demonstration of the volunteer spirit and we are reminded of the incredible power of volunteerism. These dedicated individuals have shown us the profound impact that selfless service can have on our communities. Their commitment to helping others has significantly enhanced the quality of life for many. We are deeply honored to present these awards to this year's winners, each of whom has made a remarkable difference in the lives of others through their generous contributions."

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About AARP: AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 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 security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP 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. 

About AARP Montana:  For over 50 years, AARP has been working right here in big sky country to improve the lives of Montanans 50 plus. As one of Montana’s largest non-profit membership organizations, with more than 134,000 members, we advocate for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. We’re committed to helping already great communities across Montana become even better places for people of all ages to live and thrive by granting funds through our Community Challenge Grant Program. We fund small dollar, big impact projects in several categories, including transportation, safe streets, housing and public parks and trails.

We also connect Montanans with information and resources as well as help people connect with others who share their interests and passions – like music! As a main sponsor of the Helena Symphony’s Masterworks Series, we’re proud to help bring quality concerts to the community. By fighting on issues that matter most to Montana families and providing trusted information, we’re helping empower Montanans to choose how they live as they age. As a nonpartisan organization, AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political action committees, campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/MT or follow @AARPMontana on social media.

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