MONTANA – Doris Balko
As one who has devoted her life to giving back to others, Dr. Doris Balko is known for her tireless service, dedication to community, and the impact she has had on the lives of others. With a Doctorate in special education with emphasis on the blind, Dr. Balko has taught both public and private school for 44 years. She has received Missoula’s Brightest Star award for teaching and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Wisconsin. She has been selected twice to become a member of Who’s Who Among Americans Teachers. Dr. Balko is the past state president of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary teacher’s organization. She was also the immediate past president of the Western Montana Retired Educators Association in Missoula. As a dedicated AARP volunteer, Dr. Balko has served in many leadership roles, including the state legislative committee and the utilities action team. In 2005, she received the national With Our Youth Award, sponsored by AARP and the National Retired Teachers Association.
NEVADA – Gil Yanuck
From his work on the Nevada Board of Wildlife Management to protect the Nevada Sage Grouse to his service on the Board of the Carson–Tahoe Regional Hospital, Gil Yanuck embodies Ethel Percy Andrus’ motto, “To Serve, Not to Be Served.” For more than 10 years, Gil has been involved in the AARP Tax-Aide Program administered by the AARP Foundation. As the Tax Aide Coordinator for Northern Nevada, he manages 17 tax preparation sites and the training and supervision of many Tax-Aide volunteers. The Internal Revenue Service was so impressed with Gil’s Tax-Aide work that in 2006, they appointed him to the Taxpayer Advisory Panel (TAP), where he listens to taxpayers, identifies their issues, and makes suggestions for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction. Gil has also been a major contributor to Nevada’s Divided We Fail efforts while simultaneously serving as one of the first AARP Chamber Ambassadors. His representation of AARP has been so effective that he was offered and accepted a role on the Chamber Board this year.
NEW HAMPSHIRE – Harvey Epstein
As the New Hampshire State Coordinator for AARP Tax-Aide, administered by the AARP Foundation, Harvey Epstein has worked all across the state with 258 other Tax-Aide volunteers. Together, they have helped 16,000 people with their taxes. The fact that a large program on the scale of Tax-Aide runs smoothly year after year is a tribute to Harvey’s dedication and hard work. Harvey volunteers because he wants to help people. In addition to his duties as State Coordinator of Tax-Aide, he volunteers for ServiceLink, which helps clients receive state property-tax relief.
NEW JERSEY – Lee Larson
Lee Larson has enhanced the lives of AARP members and prospective members for years, championing positive social change through her work as an AARP volunteer. Her most recent position was New Jersey State Coordinator for Grassroots. In that role, she supervised and supported the work of more than 100 AARP chapters. During her many years as State Grassroots Coordinator, Lee greatly improved communication and cooperation among AARP chapters, grassroots leaders, and members. To ensure that information about AARP’s priorities reached the hands of chapter members in New Jersey, she published a statewide newsletter called “Chapter Connections.” Lee’s efforts over the years have helped many other volunteers while inspiring others to begin volunteering.
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