AARP Utah Hosts 2023 Hybrid Andrus Award & Volunteer Recognition Event

On September 20, 2023 AARP Utah celebrated our 2023 Andrus Award & Volunteer Recognition at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan.

Joined by close to 200 attendees, virtually and in-person, the event honored the extraordinary AARP volunteers we have in our community, and the amazing things they are able to achieve.

We recognized 27 individuals from across the state who were nominated as exceptional volunteers in their community. They were recognized for enhancing the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improving their community, and inspiring others to volunteer.

The event also announced the winner of the 2023 Andrus Award named in honor of AARP’s founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. The Andrus Award celebrates and honors those who make a difference in the lives of others, and it is the most prestigious and visible award AARP presents each year.

This year’s honoree is a shining example of the power that our volunteers have to make their communities better in ways that reflect AARP’s mission.

Grandma Stella has been a Foster Grandparent Literacy Tutor with Americorps Seniors for 22 years and has served close to 23,000 hours in that time. For over two decades, she has improved the reading skills of countless children who were below their benchmarks in reading and literacy. She is beloved by teachers, staff, and administrators who give her nothing but excellent remarks in her evaluations.

In addition to recognizing our Andrus Award recipient and dozens of dedicated volunteers, we also celebrated AARP’s 65th Birthday!

As AARP reaches 65 years, we view this milestone not as a time to “retire” and rest on our laurels, but to look ahead and build on our accomplishments. We only have to look at all of those honored to know that 65 is just the beginning to a new chapter in life. Because it’s not how old you are that matters, but how you live.

2023 Volunteer Honorees

Andie Anderson

Glenna Andra

Susan Andrews

Mary Boyer

Allison Dieterle

Sheila Gelman

Tracy HeavyRunner

Barbara and Darrell Holck

Mitzie Huff

Carolyn and Tom Jachim

Sheri Larsen

Brian Long

David Merrill

Dean Morrill

Linda Peterson

Paul Prestwich

D Anne Robinson

Paula Spencer

Janee and Lyle Spencer

Stan Stensrud

Catherine Swenson

Alton Thacker

Warren Vaughn

Patricia Watson