HAWAII – Roy Damron
Kona resident Roy Damron has a long and distinguished record as a champion of public safety—both on land and on sea. As coordinator of the AARP Driver Safety Program on the island of Hawaii, he leads a team of eight driving instructors and has himself taught the popular course to nearly 1,500 participants. A former scuba instructor with the Hawaii Department of Education, Roy has taught diving safety in his spare time and served as an ambassador of the National Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) since 2001. His volunteer work with NELHA includes conducting tours at the aquaculture and alternative-energy facility, where he shares the wonders of Hawaii’s natural environment with residents and visitors alike.
ILLINOIS – J Fazel
J Fazel is a man with a mission. Since retiring, he’s logged a monthly average of 1,000 miles picking up foods from local businesses six days a week and distributing it to churches and local agencies that feed the homeless, older residents, and the unemployed in the Elgin, Ill., area. He’s even managed to convince big chains, such as Super Target, KFC, and Dominick's, to sign on. In 2005, Elgin awarded J Fazel an Imagine Award for his service to needy populations. Six nights a week, he runs a shelter’s kitchen, feeding 30–50 people each evening. For the last 63 years, he has been a Boy Scout scoutmaster, an Explorer Adviser, Chairman of the Boy Scout’s Hiawatha District, and the recipient of top honors in scouting for his leadership.
INDIANA – Eugene Wease
For more than 30 years, certified, court-appointed special advocate Eugene Wease was a teacher in the Lake Center School System. When he retired, he became very active in AARP and in the IRTA (Indiana Retired Teachers Association). He recently served a two-year term as president of the IRTA. As part of the AARP legislative committee, Wease was chosen as one of the speakers who participated in the Medicare/prescription-drug bus traveling nationwide during the 2000 presidential campaign. Aside from AARP, his numerous volunteer roles include serving as a board member for Meals on Wheels, the Lake County Teachers Credit Union, the Northwest Indiana Area Council on Aging, and the Campagna Academy (a treatment facility for at-risk and adjudicated teens). Recently, Governor Daniels honored Wease with the coveted “Distinguished Hoosier” Award.
IOWA – Don and Betty Winston
Since retiring, Don and Betty Winston have enjoyed working together on projects ranging from organizing and recruiting for Iowa–AARP’s Information Center to serving as AARP District Coordinators, Chapter Presidents, Community Coordinators, and AARP Driver Safety Program instructors. The couple’s 20+ years of service had them traveling the state to promote programs, distribute information, install officers, and expand AARP’s membership. Beyond AARP, the Winston’s hard work and never-ending enthusiasm has increased community awareness of and participation in the Iowa Senior Olympics, the Junior League, Drake University, TRIAD, West Des Moines Community Schools, and the historic Jordan House museum. The couple also still team-teaches Driver Safety Program classes, volunteers for their Chapter, confronts candidates, meets with elected officials, and lobbies at the State Capitol. 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.
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