Learn about AARP’s Andrus Award for Community Service and how you can nominate an outstanding volunteer you know! Plus read about our 2015 NJ Andrus Award recipient.

AARP’s commitment to volunteer service can be traced back to founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, whose motto “to serve, not to be served” has shaped the AARP community service efforts at the national, state, and local levels. Each year, AARP honors the legacy of Dr. Andrus with the AARP New Jersey Andrus Award for Community Service. The Andrus Award is AARP’s most-prestigious volunteer tribute, which recognizes outstanding individuals who are sharing their experience, talents, and skills to enrich the lives of others.

Richard Satyavan, an active volunteer at the AARP New Jersey State Office for the past five years, was chosen as the recipient of the 2015 award. He is an AARP NJ State advocacy volunteer for finance and health concerns, an AARP Tax aide volunteer helping people prepare and file taxes, an AARP NJ Driver Safety instructor zone coordinator, and an AARP NJ Speakers Bureau speaker. Besides volunteering at AARP, Richard is a dynamic community member, working with the NJ State Health Insurance Assistance Program, the NJ Senior Medicare Patrol, the Princeton Alliance Church, the National Council on Aging, and the Middlesex County Court Guardianship Monitoring Program.

AARP has inspired Richard to engage with an organization that has a vision statement in line with his own. Volunteering at AARP has allowed Richard to utilize vast resources and service opportunities to become more involved in his community. He has encouraged his wife Chitra to also volunteer, as well as his tax aide clients, and Driver Safety program participants. He wishes that others see AARP as he does – “an American Association of Real Possibilities.” Richard wants his community members to let go of the notion of “retired and old” and let in “re-imagined and real-possibilities.”

Do you know an extraordinary volunteer age 50 or older? Show your appreciation by nominating him or her for the 2016 AARP New Jersey Andrus Award for Community Service. AARP’s most prestigious New Jersey volunteer award recognizes individuals who are sharing their experience, talent, and skills in ways that significantly enrich the lives of others. Only one New Jersey individual or couple is selected each year. The nomination deadline is June 3. For more information, eligibility requirements and nomination forms, visit www.AARP.org/AndrusAward or call 1-866-542-8165.