AARP Iowa Announces Seventh Annual Andrus Award Winner

By: State: Iowa

In the seventh year of AARP Iowa's Andrus award, AARP Iowa would like to congratulate our state winner, Art Gratias for the work that he has done in Volunteerism. Gratias, a retired State of Iowa Senator, World War II veteran, church leader, farmer, and AARP chapter leader, is the seventh recipient of the Andrus Award.

"Gratias is a great example of what can be accomplished by volunteering," said Koeppl at the presentation of the award. "Gratias' service to his community has helped improve not only the lives of current seniors, but has helped create an attractive and viable environment to live in for years to come."

When the Mason City Senior Dance Hall was about to close, Gratias stepped in. He raised 150,000 dollars through grants, donations and thousands of his own dollars. This allowed the center to put a much needed new roof on the building, and pave the parking lot, side walks, and other needed improvements to the building.

"The Senior Activity Center is home to bridge, 500, huckle-buck pitch and cribbage players. Art has made certain that the pool players have the latest in a state of the art poll tables and cues. He has seen that the ladies have special quilt and sewing room where ladies gather to share their talents," said Margaret Schluter, AARP chapter president who nominated Gratias.

A statewide AARP volunteer review committee selected Gratias for the impact he has made on the lives of seniors. The new center allows seniors in the Mason City area to have a place to gather, host weekly dances, have health care and tax preparation clinics, as well as many other events.

"Art has provided many ideas, many contacts with the business world and much guidance in making the Senior Activity Center a place of beauty, service and relaxation to serve the people of North Iowa for many years," said Schluter.

Gratias was selected from a group of volunteers nominated for their Tax Aide, Money Management, Advocacy and Community Service efforts. The 2008 Andrus Award nominees includes Barb Fitzgibbon of Des Moines, Connie Lamb of Marshalltown, Steve McCoy of Boone, Tom Mooney of Bettendorf, Lyle Niemeyer of Marshalltown, Ray O'Neal of Davenport, Melba Shank of Waterloo, Sharon Treinen of Ackley, and Kay Vignovich of Des Moines.

As AARP's highest award for community service, the Andrus Award honors the work and legacy of AARP founder Dr. Ethel Andrus. From the beginning, her motto, "to serve, not to be served," has shaped AARP's community service efforts at the national, state and local levels. The award acknowledges the significant volunteer contributions AARP members and volunteers make in their communities. The purpose of the award to showcase the important role volunteerism and community service play in achieving AARP's social impact goals.

The award process begins in the spring with AARP state offices across the country issuing a call for nominees. Award submission deadline is early summer with an announcement of the winner in the fall.