AARP Kansas Honors 2024 Volunteers

AARP Kansas honors six individuals with a combined 60 years of service for their volunteerism, leadership, and advocacy. The organization presented the Annual Andrus Award and Kansas Volunteer Excellence Awards during a recent two-day volunteer recognition and training event.

“I want to thank these six volunteers for everything they do,” said AARP Kansas state director Glenda DuBoise. “They exemplify what AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus meant when she said "The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live."

Andrus Award

The Andrus Award is presented annually to AARP volunteers in each state who have served in an outstanding fashion, made a powerful difference in their community, and brought a lifetime of experience and leadership to serve others. The award is special because it provides an opportunity to acknowledge, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, who was a pioneer and visionary woman - with ideas that would revolutionize our views on aging. She saw real people with real needs and challenges and figured out ways to make life better for them, and ultimately, for all of us.

AARP Kansas awarded John and Kathy Kramer the Andrus for their commitment to volunteerism, AARP and their community. Their passion for giving back led them to AARP about nine years ago. What started with simple community events quickly grew into more extensive involvement, including events like the Home Show, Senior Expos, the Alzheimer's Conference, and the Veterans Expo. Their dedication also extends to monthly participation in the Veterans Coalition, where they serve as Veterans Military Families Outreach Volunteers, and they are active members of the AARP Wichita Leadership Council and the Wichita Advocacy Council.

Congratulations to John and Kathy for their extraordinary commitment to service!

AARP Kansas also recognized four individuals as Volunteers in Excellence.

Bolton Award

The Merle Bolton Award for Excellence in Leadership was established in 2004. Dr. Bolton served AARP Kansas in a variety of leadership positions, including, volunteer state president for four years.

This year, two individuals received the Bolton award.

Ms. Ann Garvin, a volunteer for more than 22 years, was recognized for her leadership within the organization. She is the past chairperson of the volunteer support team, successfully advocated for the creation of the volunteer support team and the AARP Kansas diversity council. Kansas was the first to implement these two efforts.

Mr. Gerald Schmitt, the second Bolton Award winner, has been an AARP Kansas volunteer for 20 years. Mr. Schmitt served on the Capital City Task Force, state AARP issue export, Executive Council, Veterans Outreach Volunteer and Livable Communities volunteer.

Garvin Award

AARP Kansas established the Ann Garvin Award for Excellence in Community Service

to recognize and value the spirit of volunteerism, and the important contributions volunteers make to their communities, neighbors and programs they serve.

This year the award went the Paul Babich.

 A retired teacher and vice president of the Wichita Retired Teachers, Babich leads the Wichita Advocacy Council, keeping council members apprised on state and federal issues. As an AARP volunteer for 13 years, Mr. Babich has also served on the Executive Council for two terms.

Freeman Award

The AARP Kansas Sonny Freeman Award for Advocacy Service recognizes outstanding AARP volunteers making a powerful difference in their communities consistent with AARP's mission, vision, and strategic direction.

AARP Kansas presented this award to Michael Brosch who has worked to positively impact the way state and federal policy makers regard AARP Kansas.

He was instrumental in analyzing and presenting comments on Kansas AARP’s behalf in opposition to two Kansas utility rate cases before the Kansas Corporation Commission: Evergy Electric and Kansas Gas Service. His analysis and testimony helped to limit the impact of the Evergy rate request and will help to limit the Kansas Gas Service rate hike.

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all AARP Kansas volunteers for their service to others!