Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Colton Couple Awarded
Joyce and Dan Leonard of Colton
Colton couple Dan and Joyce Leonard have been honored by AARP Washington for the 2016 Andrus Award for Community Service.
The Leonards work through the Spokane office of Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA).
Joyce first got involved when she and Dan became Medicare age. Dan was teaching for a semester in Honduras, and Joyce started fielding forms in the mail.
“She found out how difficult it was for someone who is intelligent, competent,” said Dan.
Joyce thought of the many people who would also have trouble with this.
She soon volunteered with SHIBA, in 2009, and after Dan returned from Honduras, he went along with Joyce on trips to various libraries in Whitman County where Joyce met with people.
“If you're going to come along, you might as well be useful,” she said.
So in 2011 Dan became a SHIBA volunteer, too. Now the couple does the work year-round with the primary period in the fall during Medicare open-enrollment.
This year, the work may change.
“People could need to re-think according to whatever comes out of Washington, D.C.,” said Dan.
Also a boardmember for Whitman County Parks and Whitman County Historical Society, Dan is ambivalent about the AARP honor.
“Basically, we know there are people who contact more people than we do, that help more across the state. We were embarrassed by this (award). Others have done a lot more than we have,” he said.
As part of the honor, the AARP donated $500 to a charity of the Leonards choice, which went to the Whitman County Rural Library District.
“You spread it around to every location, that's enough for a plate of cookies,” said Dan. “Put it where it will do some good.”
SHIBA is a free service of the Office of the Washington State Insurance commissioner. In November 2016 alone, the Leonards drove more than 600 miles visiting libraries in the county to counsel residents.
They often work at several libraries in a single day.
“The impact the Leonards have had upon area seniors is immeasurable,” said Kristie Kirkpatrick, director of Whitman County Rural Library District. “From saving participants thousands of dollars to bringing peace of mind for those struggling to understand the confusing process, their efforts have meant the world. You won’t meet nicer, more caring people than Dan and Joyce. I am so pleased they are receiving this well-deserved honor.”
The award aligns with what the AARP aims to promote.
“This acts as a symbol to the public that we can all work together for positive social change,” says AARP Washington State Director Doug Shadel. “AARP has long valued the spirit of volunteerism and the important contributions volunteers make to their communities, neighbors, and the programs they serve.”
The award is named after AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. Each year, AARP honors the legacy of Andrus with the AARP Washington Andrus Award for Community Service in each state. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million people. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“I do things that are useful or fun. Sometimes both,” said Leonard.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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