Every year, AARP California chooses one person in the state of California to receive their Andrus Award for Community Service. The Andrus Award is AARP’s highest individual honor and recognizes one outstanding person over 50 years of age who is using his or her talents, skills, and experience to enrich the lives of others.
AARP’s commitment to volunteer service can be traced back to its founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, whose motto “to serve, not to be served” has shaped their community service efforts at the national, state, and local levels. Each year, AARP honors the legacy of Dr. Andrus with the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service.
Out of more than 100 nominations received by AARP California, Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, the founder of White Pony Express, has been chosen as the 2019 winner of the prestigious Andrus Award.
Dr. Conner is being honored for the extraordinary support she and White Pony Express volunteers and staff gave to the homeless survivors of the 2018 Camp Fire, the most destructive fire in California’s history. Under her guidance and funding, WPE responded immediately to the dire need of those made homeless by the fire. Starting in November 2018, WPE delivered vans full of fresh food and needed clothing, along with small cash donations to help the survivors deal with daily necessities. The outreach to the Butte County area continued until mid-August 2019.
AARP has 38 million members, and its magazine has the largest magazine circulation in the United States.
Our grateful thanks go to all our volunteers and staff who made this award possible!