AARP Oregon’s 2025 Andrus Award Honors a Long-Time Volunteer’s Legacy of Service

AARP Oregon is proud to announce that longtime volunteer and community advocate Elaine Friesen-Strang has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 AARP Oregon Andrus Award for Community Service, our most prestigious and visible volunteer honor. Named after AARP founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the award celebrates individuals age 50-plus who use their experience, talents, and wisdom to enrich the lives of others. Dr. Andrus’s legacy of service is a powerful testament to the impact one person can have on their community and beyond.

AARP Oregon’s 2025 Andrus Award honoree, Elaine Friesen-Strang, has been a dedicated volunteer with AARP Oregon for over a decade, including her role as State Volunteer President, where she worked alongside three State Directors to help shape the organization’s strategic direction and deepen its community impact.

Her leadership and contributions have fueled innovative volunteer initiatives, including NeighborWalks, a volunteer-led walking program that engaged over 10,000 participants over 10 years, promoting health, social connection, and age-friendly neighborhoods. Elaine also helped launch the AARP Oregon Insights Podcast, expanding AARP’s messaging and offering valuable insights on priority issues affecting older adults and their families.

Elaine’s commitment to inclusive, age-friendly communities extends far beyond her work with AARP. She has served on numerous advisory committees that shape policy and infrastructure across Oregon. In addition, she has also testified at the city, state, and regional levels in support of expanding housing options, safe streets, and designing communities that support older adults and families.

Among her fellow volunteers, Elaine is known not only for her advocacy but also for her exceptional leadership and support. She has trained and mentored new volunteer leaders, organized impactful events, and served as a powerful public speaker. During the pandemic and staff transitions, Elaine was instrumental in keeping AARP Oregon’s volunteer leadership network connected and engaged. As Elaine herself explained, “Good leaders set an example. Through a sense of enthusiasm, belief in the mission, and dedication to making sure the job is done.” Thanks to her efforts, the volunteer program rebounded quickly, renewing engagement and momentum across Oregon.

“The Andrus Award honors volunteers who have made exceptional contributions to their community, and Elaine Friesen-Strang embodies the purpose and vision of AARP by leading with compassion, vision, and a deep commitment to service,” said AARP Oregon State Director Bandana Shrestha. “Her work has touched thousands of lives and helped make Oregon a more livable, inclusive, and connected place for people of all ages.”

Reflecting on the recognition, Elaine shared, “I am both humbled and grateful. Volunteering can be a whole new chapter in your life, a part of you waiting to be discovered.” She added, “With age comes the gift of experience and knowledge, and it’s the perfect time to make a difference.”