AARP Wyoming Seeks Nominations For Andrus Volunteer Award

AARP Wyoming seeks nominations for The Ethel Percy Andrus Award, the state’s premier award for volunteers age 50 and over in the State. 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The annual Andrus Award for Community Service is AARP's most prestigious and visible volunteer award. It recognizes individuals who are sharing their experience, talent and skills to enrich their communities in ways that are consistent with AARP's purpose, vision, and commitment to volunteer service, and that inspire others to volunteer.  Only one volunteer per state (or couple performing service together) can receive the Award.  

To nominate someone for the Andrus Community Service Award, use the webform available here: The nomination period opened on May 1 and runs through July 15. 

“There is no greater award that AARP gives out each year,” says AARP Wyoming State Director Sam Shumway. “Perhaps the most exciting thing about our nomination process is the fact we get to lift up some of the more inspiring volunteers around the state each year.”

The Andrus Award, named after AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, recognizes individuals who are sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich their communities in ways that are consistent with AARP's mission, vision, and commitment to volunteer service.

Nominations for the AARP State Andrus Award for Community Service may be submitted by AARP members, volunteers, and chapter or unit members. Nominations also may be submitted by external organizations or groups and by members of the public at large. AARP staff and selection committee members may not submit nominations.

Selection of AARP State Andrus Award for Community Service recipients will be based on answers submitted to the following questions:

• Please describe the volunteer work that inspired you to nominate this individual for the award.
• How has the nominee's work supported AARP's vision and purpose?
• How has the work of the nominee improved the community or enhanced the lives of its residents for which/whom the work was performed?
• What is inspiring, courageous, unusual or innovative about the nominee's achievement?
• How has the nominee's work impacted other volunteers or inspired others to volunteer?

Past Winners

• In 2020, Don Cushman of Thayne was honored as the Andrus Award winner for his work having volunteered the equivalent of 83 full days, over 15 years with Habitat for Humanity in Teton County. Cushman has taken part in 45 different home builds for 51 families. These numbers were all the more impressive by the fact Cushman had to drive 60 miles one-way to Habitat build sites. 

• The 2019 Andrus Award winners, Karen and Walter Jones, spend their retirement years volunteering with the National Park Service in Grand Teton National Park. For four months out of the year, the Jones’ live in their camper and devote their time to ensuring that the visitors of the park have a fulfilling and educational visit. Their duties with the park include talks about bear safety, animal information, and cultural history. They can be found answering questions at the desk or out on the hiking trails.

• When the rules committee was making up those rules, it almost seems they had 2018 Andrus Award Winner, Kay Bjorklund of Thermopolis, in mind. Kay, age 95,remains a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, welcoming new businesses to Thermopolis, as well as program director for her Kiwanis Club, lining up speakers for the club’s twice-monthly meetings. One week a month you can find Kay delivering Meals on Wheels to Thermopolis residents. Each weekend she is acting activities director for The Pioneer Home, where she lines up Wii Bowling tournaments and shuffleboard. Kay would also mention she carries a 231 average on Wii bowling. If that isn’t enough, she also volunteers one day a week in the gift shop of the hospital in Thermopolis, and works with the doorstep ministry of her church.
  
• Clayton and Gloria Jensen were honored as winners of the 2017 Andrus Award by AARP Wyoming. The Jensens are the coaches at the Casper Boxing Club in Casper where they have gained a reputation for changing the lives of at-risk young men and women. The mission of Casper Boxing Club is to promote sportsmanship, responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and individuality through education, dedication, desire, and a commitment to maximize excellence. The program seeks to use the mind and body as a catalyst to bring about change, creating an environment to reach youth who others may have written off as unreachable. 

To nominate or for more information
For more information on the process, contact Tanya Johnson, AARP Wyoming’s Associate State Director for Outreach and Local Advocacy at 307-214-7965 or tajohnson@aarp.org.