AARP ND honors several volunteers in November

When AARP North Dakota honored Denise Fettig-Loftesnes of Bismarck as the 2025 Andrus Award for Community Service in November, several other volunteers were also recognized.

Speakers Bureau Leadership Excellence Award: Dr. Barbara Handy-Marchello, Bismarck.

North Dakota Speakers Bureau volunteers have scheduled 82 presentations in 18 communities in 2025. As the State Coordinator for the Speakers Bureau, Barb connects presentation requests with speakers, keeping everyone on track and ensuring they have the necessary information, equipment, and handouts, and troubleshooting when issues arise.

AARP Driver Safety Volunteer of the Year: Dorothy Hancock, Fargo.

The AARP Driver Safety program offers classes to help drivers and riders remain safe, independent, connected, and confident as they age. One of 16 active Driver Safety instructors in North Dakota, Dorothy Hancock has taught the course for four years in the Fargo-Moorhead area and goes out of her way to set up classes where needed, also working across the border with her Minnesota colleagues.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Leadership Excellence Award.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the largest free, volunteer-based tax assistance and preparation program in the U.S. During the 2025 tax season, more than 100 volunteers provided free tax preparation and filing services to over 4,600 taxpayers in four North Dakota communities. The 2025 Tax-Aide Leadership Excellence Awards were given to:

• Gary Ellingson - District/Local Coordinator, Minot
  Gary began his volunteer assignment as a certified IRS counselor in February 2009. For sixteen years, Gary has assisted thousands of taxpayers in completing their tax returns.
  
• Harold Vanderbush - Local Coordinator, Fargo
  Harold began his volunteer assignment as a certified IRS counselor and has just reached a milestone of 20 years of service.
  
• James K. Miller (Jim) – Local Coordinator, Bismarck
  Jim began his volunteer assignment as a certified IRS counselor in February 2009.  For the last sixteen years, Jim has helped thousands of taxpayers complete their tax returns.