AARP New Jersey Recognizes Ann Lippel, Founding Member of the Montclair Gateway to Aging in Place for her Dedication and Commitment to Community Service with its Most Prestigious Volunteer Award

New Brunswick, NJ – Ann Lippel has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2025 AARP New Jersey Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.

AARP NJ selected Ann Lippel, founding member of the Montclair Gateway to Aging in Place in honor of her remarkable service, which has greatly benefited her community, reflected AARP’s vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers. Ann has shown a strong dedication to helping her community become an age-friendly place to live. For over a decade Ann served as member and then Chair of the Montclair Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. She is also a founding member of The Montclair Gateway to Aging in Place (mGAP) and served on their executive board since 2020. Her work at mGAP has built sustainable programs that help the 50+ in Montclair as they age in place.

mGAP is a non-profit dedicated to helping seniors overcome the digital divide and gain the needed skills to fully engage in today’s world. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, Ann’s approach to this challenge was grounded in a peer-centered strategy that paired seniors with others who are tech-savvy, fostering confidence in using digital tools such as email, healthcare portals and video calls to stay in touch with loved ones. Through the SmartSenior/SmartTech program, mGAP has been able to support more than one thousand seniors throughout Essex County.

The award will be formally presented to Ann at a ceremony in South Brunswick on December 2.

“This award acts as a symbol to the public that we can all work together for positive social change – especially when it comes to aging in place,” says AARP NJ State Director Chris Widelo. “AARP has long valued the spirit of volunteerism and the important contributions volunteers make to their communities, neighbors, and the programs they serve. We are proud to honor Ann’s dedication and hard work.”

“I am deeply committed to serving my community of modern agers and deeply honored to receive this award,” says Ms. Lippel. “My hope has always been to help make a tangible difference in the lives of those who might otherwise have been left behind.”

Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.

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About AARP New Jersey
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. AARP New Jersey educates and advocates on behalf of those 50 and older on issues that are important to them, their families and to all Garden State residents. The organization works to strengthen New Jersey communities with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/nj or follow @AARPNJ on social media.