AARP Mississippi Recognizes June Duffour with Andrus Award for Community Service

(Jackson, MS) – June Duffour has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2023 AARP Mississippi Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.

AARP Mississippi selected Duffour for her remarkable service, which has greatly benefited her the community, reflected AARP’s vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers.

Duffour volunteers at the Diamondhead Senior Village, Inc. She is active in the Diamondhead Newcomers Club and The Lions Club. She started and managed a financial investment club for women. She is an active member of Annunciation Catholic Church and engages in activities, such as serving on the financial team and helping with fund-raising. She teaches beginner and advanced line dancing and Tai Chi.

Duffour is a founding member, active participant and volunteer at the Diamondhead Senior Village, Inc., a part of the Village-to-Village network and the first village in Mississippi. The village concept brings seniors together to plan and participant in activities in the community that help their well-being. The mission of Diamondhead Senior Village, Inc. is "to enable senior residents in Diamondhead to age in place as well as possible, for as long as possible, with dignity, joy and respect."

At Duffour’s 97^th birthday party, Diamondhead Mayor Nancy Depreo said, "Still dancing at 97, Miss June can out-dance all of us and she can out-work all of us, too."

According to her nominator, Mary Coyne-Jackson, prior to the establishment of the Diamondhead Senior Village, Inc., a non-profit, all volunteer entity, there was no formal mechanism for older adults to gather in Diamondhead. Coyne-Jackson says, “Life has changed and every Tuesday and Thursday, older adults gather and engage in educational, recreational, arts, health, and community resource programs to nourish our bodies, our minds and our spirits. These programs are often member-led. June has been instrumental in planning, participating and volunteering in these programs."

 The award was formally presented to Duffour at a ceremony on Sunday in Diamondhead.

 “This award acts as a symbol to the public that we can all work together for positive social change,” said AARP Mississippi State Director Kimberly L. Campbell, Esq. “AARP has long valued the spirit of volunteerism and the important contributions volunteers make to their communities, neighbors, and the programs they serve.”

Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.

ABOUT AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.