Crist Honored As Community Action Team Volunteer of the Year for AARP Wyoming’s Sheridan Community Action Team

Sheridan's Candi Crist (far right) mans a table at Sheridan's Veterans Golf Tournament at Kendrick Golf Course.

Candi Crist considers herself a bit of a homebody, though when you look at her volunteer accomplishments homebody is hardly the first thing that comes to mind. Crist will be awarded Community Action Team Volunteer of the Year for the Sheridan Community Action Team at the UCross Ranch on Oct. 2 during the AARP Wyoming Volunteer Summit.

Crist only recently started volunteering with the Sheridan Action Team, a group of 20 who take on service or fun events for older adults in Sheridan such as ice cream socials, paper shredding events, and a veterans golf tournament. Crist, a Sheridan native, recently told AARP Wyoming State President Stella Montano that she didn’t have time to volunteer until after she retired. While retirement from Sheridan Honda’s parts department lasted just a year, Crist dipped her toe into the Sheridan Action Team waters and liked what she found.

“Once I retired, Stella said come to a couple meetings, see how you like it,” said Crist. “They had the caregiver’s series and it snowballed from there. I just like helping people and I enjoy the camaraderie. I didn’t realize how much AARP did. I’ve learned a lot. It is really fulfilling knowing you are helping and making people happy.”

Crist was a caregiver to her aunt and is falling back on that service to help offer respite care during the Team’s Care for Caregivers series. She also inputs all the volunteer hours for the Sheridan team and lent a hand for the CAT’s Veterans Golf Tournament, shred events, Christmas Stroll, and more.

“You wouldn’t think you would have so much fun helping people,” Crist said.