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PORTLAND — Augusta residents Carol and Bob MacDougall have been awarded the AARP’s 2017 Andrus Award.
Named after Ethel Percy Andrus, the award honors individuals who make a difference in the lives of others, and it is the most prestigious and visible award AARP can present, the organization said in a Nov. 2 news release.
“Carol and Bob MacDougall’s extraordinary public service actively embodies Dr. Andrus’ motto ‘To Serve, Not To be Served,'” the release said. “As soon as they retired and moved to Augusta in 2012, the MacDougalls began volunteering.”
The couple’s volunteer efforts include Meals on Wheels, and became AARP Maine volunteers in 2014 and became involved in AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities, an initiative to spark local change to build communities where people of all ages can thrive.
“The age-friendly concept is much more than about older adults and aging in place,” said Bob MacDougall. “Our work in this area engages the whole community including our leaders, our young people and our older neighbors all working together to make Augusta a better place for all.”
The program includes eight “domains of livability,” which are aspects of community life essential for the health and well-being of older residents, including transportation, affordable housing, and support and health services, among others.
The MacDougalls worked with other age-friendly advocates to craft eight newspaper articles, each one focused on a particular Domain. All eight articles were published as a series in the Kennebec Journal in 2017 and resulted in television and radio interviews, along with requests for collaboration from additional community partners, including Augusta Mayor David Rollins.
They have also helped expand salted sand delivery to area residents age 60 and older, and were recognized with the Spirit of America award by Kennebec County for their work with Age-Friendly in Augusta at the Old County Courthouse.
Carol MacDougall said the couple is particularly proud of its program to get benches in area grocery stores for seniors to use while waiting for a ride. Hannaford and Shaw’s supermarkets put benches out, and the city of Augusta, is also putting out benches on common walking routes. “It’s exciting to see how small things like this can make us a more livable city and enhance aging in our community,” she said.
The MacDougalls have been married for more than 38 years. Carol is a retired nurse, and Bob worked in logistics and transportation services. They have one daughter, Linsey.
For more information on volunteering with AARP, visit aarp.org or call 1-866-554-5380.
