Ressler Receives Delaware's Top Volunteer Award

Source: AARP.org |  | December 27, 2004

2004 Andrus Award for Community Service

Theodore Ressler has been selected to receive Delaware's AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association's most prestigious volunteer award.

"As a long-time volunteer for AARP in Delaware, Ted has ably demonstrated his commitment to enhancing the lives of the state's seniors," said AARP Delaware State President Charles Jackson. "In his current role as state coordinator of the AARP Driver Safety Program, Ted has provided effective leadership and continued to raise the success level of this important program geared to make older drivers safer drivers."

Among the innovations that Ressler has promoted is the introduction of the four-hour refresher course for advanced students, making Delaware only the second state in the country to pilot this new approach to driver safety certification and training. Ressler also added bilingual courses in Spanish to Delaware's driver safety offerings. In addition, Ted has introduced a number of improvements that have benefited his 100-member volunteer instructor corps, including the creation of an informative topical newsletter and semi-annual workshops.

Highly respected by AARP's national office staff, Ressler has been invited to serve on a number of task forces and committees and provided input on a new public relations guide for the national program. He is a true believer in the importance of driver safety for seniors and has translated his belief into active and productive results which support the independent living AARP's members seek to maintain.

Along with his involvement with the AARP Driver Safety Program, Ressler recently served as president of the Greater Dover AARP Chapter #721, served as the chapter's newsletter editor and continues to serve as chapter vice president for programs and as a member of their Board of Directors.

The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service recognizes members and volunteers who, through volunteer service, are enhancing members' lives in the areas of health and wellness, economic security and work, life transition issues and personal enrichment. The award was formally presented to Ressler during the Annual AARP Delaware Volunteer Awards Celebration and Luncheon on Nov. 9 at Dover Downs in Dover, Delaware.

"This award serves as a symbol to members and the public that we can, as individuals, have 'the power to make it better' as we serve our communities and, in Ted's case, the state," noted AARP Delaware State President Charles Jackson, who officially presented the award along with the 2002 Andrus Award winner, Georgianna Calabrese.

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