Westport Resident Receives Statewide Award for Community Service
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-10-29 14:51:36.348822-05:00
Westport senior Verna MacDonald is well known in her community for identifying a need and taking action. For her commitment to helping others, AARP has awarded MacDonald with the 2007 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service.
The yearly honor, named after AARP Founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, is awarded to an individual in each state who is making a powerful difference in their communities through volunteer and community service. Award winners are chosen based on their work to improve the quality of life for older adults and their families, and for the inspiration they provide others to give back to their communities.
"Verna is not able to just see something that needs to be done. She commits, works on it, and gets others to help make it happen," said Westport City Administrator Randy Lewis.
MacDonald is famous for her ability to bring in grant money to the South Beach area. Working with U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Dist. 6), she obtained a $125,000 federal grant to expand Westport's Senior House in November 2005. Then she got a local contractor to work at reduced rates to stretch the money further. Finally, she received $7,000 from Weyerhaeuser to build a new parking area. Since then, she's worked to get donations and grants for computer upgrades and other projects at the center.
MacDonald never visualized herself as someone who could raise money or be a community leader, but she found she had a talent for helping others. "You get the applications, you fill them out and keep your fingers crossed," she said. "If somebody says 'no,' you don't get discouraged."
MacDonald volunteers at Senior House six hours a day, five days a week, organizing activities and running the facility. She is also president of AARP's South Beach Chapter #4971, which meets at the center. "She never slows down," says fellow volunteer and AARP Chapter Treasurer Shirley Bisher. "She stays on top of things."
MacDonald also started an Alzheimer's support group, spearheads a Red Cross blood drive three times a year, organizes a free Christmas dinner for the needy, and drives people to church and medical appointments. She also links up seniors and youngsters in a tutoring program, speaks out for seniors at city council meetings and recently joined the Westport volunteer fire department. She won't be climbing ladders but will provide support for firefighters on the ground. "Does this lady ever sleep?" wondered Westport Mayor Mike Bruce. "She's a repository of information and she has good people who help."
"Verna is the perfect example of Ethel Percy Andrus' motto, 'to serve, not to be served,' and is an excellent role model for volunteers of all ages," said AARP Executive Council Member Shelby Gilje.
AARP presented the Andrus Award to MacDonald during an Oct. 1 ceremony at the Westport Convention Center.
Find more information about award recipients in other states, and find out how you can nominate someone for next year's award.
Other Resources
- Read an article about Verna in The Daily World
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