Colorado — John Maher

John Maher is a husband, father of two college-age children and an Air Force veteran, who has been living with a progressive form of multiple sclerosis since 1992. Despite this, he has made helping others a priority in his life. For the past 15 years, he has volunteered for the Outreach United Resource Center, working with the food pantry and the meal program, and served on the board of directors. His colleagues at the Outreach United Resource Center say he can be counted on no matter what, which is a testament to his character and spirit.

Connecticut — Peter Brady

In 1998, Peter Brady established the Rake ’n’ Bake program — it now has 1,102 volunteers in seven towns — an effort believed to be the largest in Connecticut. All nominators reiterated what one said: “Peter is great to work beside. He inspires everyone around him with his positive attitude and enthusiasm.” Another nominator stated that she is “in awe of what this man is able to accomplish for people in the community and all at no cost to the persons he is helping. There is nobody more deserving than Peter Brady and his organization.”

District of Columbia — Barbara Scope Hair

Barbara Scope Hair is an active member of AARP Washington Highlands Chapter 4870 and is the AARP D.C. state office ambassador. For the past nine years, she has served as the chairwoman of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She is also part of the Ward 8 Mini Commission on Aging, Senior Works Program, Senior Committee of the Ward 8 Democrats, and the D.C. Board of Election and Ethics, in roles from voting assistance clerk to precinct captain.

Florida — Ruth Levins

Ruth Levins has served Citrus County for the past 52 years, providing information, advocacy and her own active example of community service. Being a volunteer for many nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations sustains her purpose in life. She is an active member of numerous clubs throughout Citrus County. In addition, she writes two weekly columns for the Citrus County Chronicle to foster the volunteer spirit for organizations and volunteers.

Georgia — Carl Dasher

In his community of Moultrie, Carl Dasher serves as chapter president for Colquitt County, and has worked with his fellow members in providing homes with more efficient lighting and gathering food donations. He is also an active advocacy volunteer, bringing a contingent of volunteers from southern Georgia to visit with their legislators in meetings that he arranges. As a Driver Safety Zone coordinator, he covers 46 counties with 35 volunteer instructors, as well as teaching classes himself.

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