Philip Soltau Named 2025 Andrus Award Winner!

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer Philip Soltau has been named the 2025 winner of the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service in Vermont. The award is named for AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, an educator and tireless advocate of community service and volunteerism who coined the motto, “To Serve, Not to be Served,” which remains part of the AARP credo to this day.

Philip (Phil) Soltau has been a dedicated tax-aide volunteer in Vermont for nearly ten years, playing a key role in helping Vermont taxpayers claim all the credits and deductions they qualify for. With experience as an Insurance Trainer and Field Training Specialist at Horace Mann, Phil has used his technical skills to help Vermonters keep more of the money they’ve earned.

As the District Coordinator for Chittenden County and the Assistant State Coordinator for the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program in Vermont, Phil has been a leader not only in promoting the program but also in making sure his team is prepared and eager to provide free tax-filing assistance to those who need it most, with sessions held in senior centers, libraries, and assisted living facilities. In 2025, the Chittenden County team of 57 volunteers, under Phil’s leadership, helped generate $1.3 million in federal and state refunds by preparing 1,859 tax returns.

The Andrus Award is AARP’s highest honor and is presented annually to a volunteer who has made a powerful difference in their community.

Are YOU interested in volunteering with AARP or the AARP Foundation? AARP Vermont is hosting an Open House on January 14, 2026 at 1:00 pm at our Burlington office for prospective volunteers to learn more about each program area.

Become an AARP Vermont volunteer and advocate for change in your community:
• Support causes that matter to you
• Participate in local in-person and virtual events
• Reach out to community members
Whether you can spare a few hours or commit long-term, you can make a difference—and new friends, too. AARP offers both remote and in-person volunteer opportunities and provides training and support to enhance your experience.

Learn more at: events.aarp.org/VolunteerVermont26