Congratulations are in order to our own Fran Allain who was recently honored with AARP’s Community Partner of the Year Award. Great job Fran – we’re very proud of you!!
AARP Honors Volunteers at Celebratory Luncheon
AARP New Hampshire honored nearly 100 volunteers at a celebratory luncheon held Thursday, November 4 at the Manchester Country Club. The most prestigious volunteer award, the Andrus Award for Community Service, was presented to Mary Ireland, a dedicated AARP volunteer and community leader. Others honored were Andrus Award finalists; Tax-Aide, Driver Safety and Advocacy Volunteers of the Year; Retired Educator of the Year; and Community Partner of the Year.
The Andrus Award for Community Service, named after AARP’s founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, recognizes outstanding AARP volunteers who are making a powerful difference in their communities in ways that are consistent with AARP’s mission, vision and strategic direction.
AARP Associate State Director - Communications Jamie Bulen, NH Division of Economic Development Employee Retention Project Manager Fran Allain, AARP NH State Director Kelly Clark and AARP NH State President Fred Kocher celebrate Allain's selection as AARP Community Partner of the Year.
“We’re thrilled to bestow upon Mary Ireland the most celebrated volunteer award given by AARP,” said AARP New Hampshire State Director Kelly Clark. “Mary has spent an incredible amount of time and energy helping people and is very deserving of this award.”
Mary is a current board member and founding member of the AARP Souhegan Valley Chapter 1235 that engages in a variety of community-based projects. She is also a past president of the Milford VFW Auxiliary; long-time member of the Milford Historical Society; and active participant at the Milford Senior Center.
“And then there’s Mary’s voice,” stated AARP New Hampshire State President Fred Kocher. “For 16 years, she sang with the Golden Smoothies, an all-volunteer singing group that performed at nursing homes, chapter meetings, historical societies, and the Grange.”
Others honored at the premier volunteer recognition event were:
Andrus Award finalists: Margaret Berry, Durham; Barbara Cameron, Loudon; Barbara Coish, Windham; Alan Cooper, Londonderry; Virginia Hallisey, Nashua; Elaine Kellerman, Concord; Preston Lawrance, Loudon; Lorraine Lindenberg, Salem; Ernest “Mick” Mawn, Hudson; Roger Packard, Harrisville; Frank Rawa, Salem; John Sapienza, Stratham; Francis Talbot, Greenville; Joseph “Jay” Tivnan, Laconia; and Ileana Valentine, Manchester
Advocacy Volunteer of the Year: Chuck Engborg, Ashland
Community Partner of the Year: Fran Allain, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development. Resident of Merrimack.
Driver Safety Volunteer of the Year: Robert “Bob” Bloomfield, Amherst
Retired Educator of the Year: Virginia Hallisey, Nashua
Tax-Aide Volunteer of the Year: Les Scammon, Concord
The day’s festivities also included a surprise “award” given to retiring AARP Executive Council member and active volunteer, Tim Gormley. Tim was awarded a compilation of photographs, representing his participation at AARP events over the past several years. “Even though Tim’s leadership position at AARP New Hampshire has expired, we know Tim’s dedication to the issues facing an aging population will never expire,” concluded Clark.