Connecticut Volunteers Honored for Community Service

Outstanding Volunteer Leader of the Year: Kathy Null

Kathy Null began volunteering with AARP in 2011 and has since has taken on several high profile leadership responsibilities, including leading AARP’s advocacy efforts in the 5th Congressional District, where she coordinates volunteer lobby days during the legislative session, meets with state legislators and Congressional representatives in her district and at the State Capitol and helps recruit and train new volunteers.

Kathy helps lead AARP’s You’ve Earned a Say initiative in Connecticut, facilitating community listening sessions across the state on the future of Social Security and Medicare. Since March 2012, the national effort has helped make the voices of more than 10,000 Connecticut residents heard by their elected members of Congress and the candidates for President.

Kathy also helps coordinate AARP’s Decide. Create. Share. initiative in Connecticut, a national effort designed to increase awareness among women about the depth and breadth of long-term care and the benefits of planning for a secure future.

Because of her exceptional leadership qualities, Null was recently chosen from among hundreds of AARP volunteers across the country to join the inaugural class of the AARP National Volunteer Leadership Institute.

Outstanding Volunteer Specialist of the Year: Helen Benjamin

Helen began volunteering with AARP in 2009 and is a dedicated member of the AARP Volunteer Advocacy Leadership Committee. Helen, a former marketing and management professional in the financial services industry, is active in the community and served as Secretary and a member of the Board of the AARP Stratford Chapter for three years.. She can regularly be found assisting at AARP events, engaging the public at health and senior fairs and meeting with state legislators and Congressional representatives in her district and at the State Capitol.

This fall, Helen helped lead AARP Connecticut’s Voter Education effort, soliciting responses from a large majority of candidates for state office for inclusion in AARP’s State Voters’ Guide. Each year, the Voters’ Guide helps inform state residents about where the candidates stand on issues important to people age 50-plus.

Helen has helped lead community listening sessions on the future of Social Security and Medicare as part of AARP’s You’ve Earned a Say initiative and volunteers with AARP’s Decide. Create. Share. to help women better plan for a secure future.

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