Jenkintown Resident Receives AARP Pennsylvania’s Most Prestigious Volunteer Award for Community Service

Patricia Quigg of Jenkintown has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit membership organization for people 50 and older, to receive Pennsylvania’s 2012 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award. 

 Named for AARP founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the award recognizes outstanding individuals who are making their communities better in ways that are consistent with AARP's mission, vision and commitment to volunteer service, and who inspire others to volunteer. The award was formally presented to Mrs. Quigg at ceremonies in Harrisburg earlier this week.   

 Back in 1968 Patricia Quigg created Reading Buddies, which provides Philadelphia inner-city children a weekly hour of concentrated, constructive adult attention outside of school. The intergenerational program helps students improve academic skills and enhance their lives by developing positive relationships with elderly adult mentors who are residents of local retirement communities. Reading Buddies currently includes more than more than 250 older adult mentors working with over 300 Philadelphia elementary and middle school students.

 “This award acts as a symbol to members and the public that we can all work together for positive social change,” said Jim Palmquist, AARP Pennsylvania Volunteer State President. “Patricia’s tireless dedication to the Reading Buddies program serves as an inspiration, and makes her a particularly worthy recipient of this award.”

AARP's commitment to volunteer service can be traced back to the life and vision of founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. From the beginning, her motto, "To serve, not to be served," has shaped AARP's community service efforts at the national, state and local levels. Andrus Award winners are nominated by their peers and the award recipient is chosen by a special committee of AARP Pennsylvania volunteer leaders.