Polk County Couple Receives AARP’s Top Award for Community Service

Don and Betty Winston of Windsor Heights, Iowa, long-time community volunteers, are the 2009 recipients of the AARP Iowa Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award.

A statewide AARP volunteer review committee selected the Winstons in recognition of their many years of giving and assisting their community.

Since retiring in 1987—Don from pharmacy work and Betty from banking—volunteering has been a second calling for this energetic couple. They have spent their golden years giving back to the community together working on projects ranging from organizing and recruiting for Iowa AARP’s Information Center to serving as AARP District Coordinator, Chapter Presidents, Community Coordinator and Driver Safety instructors. During their 20+ years of service with AARP, the Winstons traveled the state to promote programs, distribution information, install officers and expand AARP’s membership and reach.

Beyond AARP, the Winston’s hard work and never-ending enthusiasm has helped achieve record levels of community involvement, awareness and participation for many years for groups and events including the Iowa Senior Olympics, the Junior League, Drake University, TRIAD, West Des Moines Community Schools and the historic Jordan House museum and West Des Moines Historical Society, among others.

While they have tapered off their activities somewhat, Don and Betty are still volunteering as much as possible and inspiring others to join them. Their many awards and commendations include the Governor’s Volunteer Award, the Esteemed Citizens of West Des Moines, and the Willard Nagel Memorial Award from the Iowa Community Education Association.

The Winstons will receive their award at a recognition event this fall in Polk County.

For information more information on the Andrus Award and a list of AARP Iowa 2009 nominees, visit www.aarp.org/ia.