AARP Online Community: AARPKS - Ellis Woman Receives AARP's Most Prestigious Volunteer Award

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Ellis Woman Receives AARP's Most Prestigious Volunteer Award

AARP Kansas honored its 2009 outstanding community service volunteer during a luncheon banquet at the Fanchon Ballroom in Hays on October 1, 2009. The banquet was part of the annual Western Summit sponsored by the Hays AARP chapter. Each year, AARP, the nonprofit membership organization for people 50 and over, presents its most prestigious award, the Ethel Percy Andrus Award for Community Service, to an individual or individuals who, through volunteer service, significantly enhance the lives of those in their community. This award symbolizes that individuals have the power and ability to make a difference in the lives of others.

The 2009 Andrus Award for Community Service was presented to Opal Flinn of Ellis. Opal has held almost every volunteer position in her AARP Chapter, Ellis #1403, and by her example encourages others to get involved not only in chapter activities, but also in volunteer work for the community.

Opal has been heavily involved in her chapter’s Day of Service activities, writing, producing and directing a skit performed by chapter members each year for residents of the Ellis Good Samaritan Center. She also is very involved in the chapter’s annual Milestone Dinner which honors community members who are celebrating 80^th, 90^th or 100^th birthdays.

In addition, Opal’s work as a contributing writer for the Hays Daily News “Generations Page” highlights AARP issues and is viewed as a great source of information on issues that affect older Kansans. She and her husband, Jim, also serve on the Hays Daily News Senior Advisory Committee. Together, Opal and her husband are heavily involved in 4-H activities, in addition to Opal’s service on the Hays Medical Center Advisory Committee. Opal is also known for taking care of the “little” things that mean so much like sending cards to members who are ill, telling jokes or stories to encourage laughter at chapter meetings, taking pictures and writing stories to record chapter events and making sure that chapter members are recognized for their contributions. Opal also makes sure to keep up on advocacy issues that affect older Kansans and contacts her congressional delegation to ensure that they understand how certain legislation affects AARP members.

“Opal is well-deserving of the award that honors AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus,” said David Wilson, AARP State Volunteer President who presented the award along with AARP National Board member Robert Romasco. “Her record of service to her community is exceptional and her work as a volunteer is impeccable.

“This award acts as a symbol to members and the public that we can all work together for positive social change. AARP has long valued the spirit of volunteerism and the important contributions AARP volunteers make to their communities, neighbors, and the programs they serve.”

Opal was nominated for the Andrus Award by fellow AARP chapter members Sheila Barker and John Rupp, both of Ellis.