Peoria Volunteer Honored with AARP State Andrus Award

AARP in Arizona is honoring Arky Muscato of Peoria with this year’s AARP State Andrus Award for Community Service. The award is the Association’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award for community service and symbolizes an individual’s power and ability to make a difference in other peoples’ lives.

See Also: A Life of Service: Biography of Ethel Percy Andrus

“We’re delighted to present Arky Muscato with the 2012 Arizona Andrus Award for Community Service,” said David Mitchell, AARP Arizona State Director. “His tireless energy and spirit to serve is an inspiration to all of us as he continues to work to improve the lives of many in his community.”

Among his many activities, Muscato has helped organize an annual shred-a-thon for residents of the West Valley in partnership with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the AARP Youngtown Chapter One, of which he serves as president. He also organizes the AARP Chapter One Annual Health Fair in Youngtown, now in its fourth year, which features free health screenings.

He is a member of the Friends of the Youngtown Library and its Summer Reading Program where he has assisted children with reading. He has helped raise funds and donations for the Valley View Food Bank and the Arizona Military Family Relief Fund and often visits seniors who are ill and hospitalized. For four years he regularly volunteered as a bus driver providing transportation to seniors for Sunday church services at the St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Peoria and as an executive board member of the Arrowhead Kiwanis Club, has helped the group raise funds for various children’s organizations throughout Phoenix.
 
Muscato is a 30-year early-retiree physical education teacher from the Deer Valley Unified School District. He was elected president of AARP Youngtown Chapter One in 2007 and currently serves on three additional charitable, non-profit executive boards; the All Arizona School Retirees Association Westside Unit, the Peoria Education Foundation, and the Arrowhead Kiwanis Club.

AARP Arizona officials will formally present the award to Muscato in October.

Recipients of the AARP State Andrus Award are chosen from across the country for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.

Find more information about AARP’s You’ve Earned a Say. You can also visit the AARP Arizona Facebook page to keep up to date on the latest events and news from Arizona AARP. … Back to Article