Each year AARP honors the legacy of AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, with the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, our most prestigious and visible state volunteer award.

This annual state award honors those individuals who are sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.

Alabama — Nancy Lehe

Nancy Lehe’s parents made sure she understood the value and importance of giving back to the community, a lesson the Talladega resident has followed throughout her life, and a lesson she teaches to others. She is involved in several areas of the community — her church, AARP, the Alabama Retired Education Association, Delta Kappa Gamma (Zeta Chapter), the Optimist Club, the Talladega AARP Chapter and the Chamber of Commerce. She is the president of the Pilot Club.

Alaska — Carol Duis

Arizona — Archangel Muscato

Arky Muscato is an outstanding volunteer in his community. Among his many activities, he has helped organize a shred-a-thon for residents of the West Valley. He also organizes the AARP Chapter One Annual Health Fair in Youngtown, now in its fourth year. He is a member of the Friends of the Youngtown Library, 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.

Arkansas — Billie Jeanne Dougherty

Billie Jeanne Dougherty is one of AARP Arkansas’ most long-serving, dedicated and active volunteer leaders. She started with AARP in 1995 and served as coordinator of the Capitol City Task Force for many years, managing advocacy volunteers prior to the opening of the state office. She received AARP Arkansas’ 2011 Distinguished Service Award and was among the 2011 inductees into the Senior Arkansans Hall of Fame. Well-versed on the issues and an excellent spokeswoman, she has advocated on federal issues and pushed tirelessly for health care reform through petition drives and education efforts.

California — John M. Beringer Sr.

John M. Beringer Sr., a resident of Long Beach, is an active, engaged and dependable AARP Driver Safety volunteer. He obtained an electrical/electronic engineering degree from Long Beach City College in 1966, which led to a 39-year career in aerospace engineering/management. In 1993, he became an instructor for the 55 Alive/Mature Driving Program; he later became an associate state coordinator and deputy state coordinator, and is currently, state coordinator for AARP Driver Safety.

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