Mike Matteson of Garrison receives 2022 Andrus Award

The Andrus Award for Community Service is AARP's highest honor, and given annually to one individual in each state. The award honors 50+ North Dakotans who are sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members. “AARP North Dakota is excited to shine a light on 50+ North Dakotans who are using what they’ve learned in life to make a difference in the lives around them,” said Josh Askvig, AARP-ND State Director. 

The 2022 award recipient is Mike Matteson of Garrison.

Matteson has been a firefighter for 31 years and established the ND Firefighter's Museum in Garrison and has chosen the Museum to receive a $1,000 contribution in his name from AARP to support its work honoring firefighters statewide.

A grant writer for the Garrison Area Improvement Association as well as a board member, he is also a member of the Wilderness Park Improvement Committee, Friends of Fort Stevenson State Park, and the projectionist for Garrison’s local KOTA Theatre. He was instrumental in developing the Cubby Hole Community Meeting Place, established the Picnic Table Business Competition, has worked to bring cabin sites to Fort Stevenson State Park, introduced the Angel of Hope (a yearly memorial event to remember lost children), started a yearly beach party now in its 25th year and built a bandstand for the town’s Main Street Park.

Matteson’s nominator, Deb Stoppler of the Garrison Area Improvement Association called him “a tireless volunteer that is always striving to make the community stronger and more vibrant.”

Matteson is one of the catalysts of Garrison’s popular and well-known annual Dickens Village Festival, as well as a talented cook who volunteers his skills for area fundraising events.

Focused on raising his children with a spirit of volunteerism and ensuring that community events draw out community members 50 and older, Matteson’s nominator called him a “visionary with his finger of the pulse of Garrison.”

“Mike brings his ideas with blueprints on how to put them into reality. He does not seek personal recognition, but you can find him in the background making it all come together,” Stoppler noted.

Nominations are evaluated by AARP North Dakota based on how the volunteer’s work has improved the community, reflected AARP’s vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers. AARP ND received seven exceptional nominations this year and will announce the recipient the week of October 24.

2022 Andrus Award Nominees

Debra Ball-Kilbourne, Bismarck: A volunteer chaplain at Sanford Hospice in Fargo and retired United Methodist minister, Debra comforts those in hospice as well as their families. Her nominator, Lisa Kasson-Bauer says Debra’s commitment to helping their patients find meaning, resolution and even joy at the end of life is an inspiration. In her role, Debra meets with every patient. She performs communion, helps the dying explore spiritual peace, completes a life assessment, assists in planning a funeral and contacts local places of worship or denominations. She meets each patient where they are and lets the desires of the patients and the needs expressed by the family lead the plan. In addition to the spiritual and practical support she provides, she supports the Hospice program by recruiting friends who become vital volunteers. A listener who allows patients to express unvoiced thoughts or concerns, Debra helps people leave this life in peace.

Nancy Belland, New England, ND: Nominator and husband Dwight Belland says he’s been fortunate to spend his married life watching wife Nancy inspire others by example. A Kindergarten teacher for 32 years, her actions showcase the way in which teaching is truly a calling. Since retirement she has continued her commitment to education by volunteering two days a week at the New England Public School. She established and leads a Wednesday night church class and is instrumental in the Christmas activities in their small town. Dwight says that his wife’s volunteer activities and her focus on young people set an outstanding example. Those she works with “love and adore her” and frequently line up for her great hugs. Her warm personality and her service – particularly to the youth in New England -- make their community a better place to live. (No photo available).

Eunice & Pete Kuhn, Grand Forks: Nominator and fellow volunteer Alice Hoffert calls Pete and Eunice Kuhn “Mr. & Mrs. AARP” for their commitment to AARP’s vision and purpose. Pete has been the AARP state coordinator for Driver Safety fora number of years, and Eunice serves on the AARP ND Executive Council. In addition, the Kuhns have been speakers and presenters for AARP’s Fraud Fighters as part of AARP’s Speakers Bureau. Very recently they volunteered at the AARP shredding event held in Grand Forks – promoting it in the weeks prior and working the entire event that day. Their considerable energy means they regularly go above and beyond in all efforts. The Kuhns are avid UND supporters and fans, frequently hosting athletic team meals at their home. They also support the Sunshine Hospitality Home in Grand Forks.  Alice notes, “Both of them lead by example. They do what they say and encourage others to do the same.”

Judy Pris, Fargo: Judy Pris was nominated by her friend Grant Richardson (both of Fargo) for her tireless work on the residents of Bethany Retirement Living where she is a lynchpin in food-focused fundraisers like Taste of Italy, Soup of the Day, Salad Extravaganza, Holiday Shopping Spree, Pie/Dessert Day, Pancake Breakfast and Syttende Mai. Grant says Judy not only plans and conducts events, she prepares food for most events and then spends the day serving, cleaning up and ensuring residents and guests are happy. She comes early to set up and stays late, bringing a warmth that makes others feel good. She treats everyone equally well with enthusiasm and a bright sense of humor. She’s passing on her volunteer spirit to her grandson and his friends who, with her encouragement, have become regular volunteers at Bethany. She is loyal, reliable and great to be around.

Jill Weiss, Washburn: Ellen Shafer of Bismarck nominated Jill Weiss of Washburn. A veteran of the National Guard in both North Dakota and Colorado, Jill is a full- time same day surgery nurse at Sanford, a help nurse at the Bismarck Cancer Center, a Washburn Ambulance first responder and 22-year member of the Huff Hills Ski Patrol. She travels regularly to Guatemala to build and outfit homes as a Gods’ Child Project volunteer, and says, "to get a family off the dirt/mud that they live in and cook in is one of the biggest blessings". She also sings and plays bass in Cottonwood, a bluegrass band. Her many passions come together in the bluegrass festival she founded, Bluegrass Goes Pink. This annual event raises money each year for the Bismarck Cancer Center in honor of her sister who died of breast cancer in 2011.

Mike & Marilyn Worner, Fargo: The Worners were nominated by Kathi Schwan. A longtime professor at Mayville State, Mike also served on the NDSCS Foundation Board, and as president of the Mayville City Council. Mike calls his wife, Marilyn, his 'secret weapon' for community service, and they approach their commitments as a duo. This is true in their substantial work with AARP ND where Mike serves on the executive council and they apply their combined wisdom to further the needs of the 50+ community. Mike and Marilyn have lived the issues that impact AARP members. Tireless letter writers, they frequently lend their credibility and energy to AARP causes. Mike and Marilyn have offered highly credible testimony using real life experience to help the legislature gain an understanding of the challenges of prescription medication. Their involvement in advocacy exemplifies both leadership and mentoring.