An Oregon woman who helps people with their taxes has won a prestigious award for volunteers.

AARP Oregon has awarded the 2022 Andrus Award for Community Service to Kathy Goeddel, a volunteer who has worked with the AARP Tax-Aide program for three decades.

The program helps people with low incomes and older Oregonians prepare their tax returns for free each year. Michael Schultz is state volunteer president for AARP Oregon.

"Having met Kathy on several occasions," said Schultz, "I've just been very impressed with how she motivates people by her example as a lead volunteer, and she's always the first to step forward to get things done."

About 43% of Oregonians volunteer - according to AmeriCorps, which is the third highest rate in the country. The annual value of Oregonians' volunteer service is estimated at $4.2 billion.

Schultz said he's worked in the nonprofit sector and knows volunteers are a critical piece of their work.

"Volunteers are the authentic voice of what we're trying to achieve with our mission and vision," said Schultz. "They have the stories to tell that staff can't tell but the volunteer can tell."

The Andrus Award for Community Service is named after AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus.

160 years ago, Civil War soldiers were awarded the first Medals of Honor. Now, a Medal of Honor Monument will soon be built on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Last year, Woody Williams, born and raised in West Virginia, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, passed away. Williams was the only surviving Marine in his 6 man demolition team at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Chad Graham, President and CEO of the Woody Williams Foundation, said monuments offer a place of permanence for Gold Star families.

"Telling those stories, having that place of permanence to tie those stories to is very, very important, both with the museum and with this monument, so that for generations, those stories will be told," he said.

Chris Cassidy, President and CEO of the Medal of Honor Museum and Foundation, said the National Medal of Honor Monument Act passed unanimously in both the U.S. House and Senate in 2021.

"There's lots of stuff right now that divide people. There's very few things that bring people together. And this project is something that unites people. And that's why we're so proud to be part of it," he said.

The medal is a reminder of those that lost their lives for their county, Graham added.

"Those that live to tell the story, and to be the bearer, the recipient of that medal, and to be the bearer of that honor, they carry that for those that didn't get to come home," Graham continued.

As of March 2022, there are 66 living Medal of Honor recipients, the youngest being 33-year-old William Carpenter of Mississippi who received the award for his service in Afghanistan in 2014.


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From navigating floodwaters to surviving the aftermath of a severe storm, South Dakotans are being urged to make sure they're ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at them this spring.

In its latest outlook, the National Weather Service said melting snow from recent winter storms raises the risk of river flooding in parts of eastern South Dakota.

Carrie Carlson-Guest, regional communications director for the American Red Cross of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, said recent footage from flood-ravaged California should remind drivers to stop and think when encountering standing water.

"And we say 'Turn around, don't drown' because you see an intersection may be flooded and people think, 'Oh, well, it's not that deep.' And then they can get into it and in a few inches, that can lift a car up and push it into an area that's really dangerous," Carlson-Guest cautioned.

As for severe weather, she suggests having a preparedness kit put together. The organization said it can help with being stuck at home with no power or access to help, or if you're forced to leave or are trapped while on the road. The checklist can include water bottles, nonperishable food, first-aid supplies, flashlights, blankets and sleeping bags.

Carlson-Guest noted with a changing climate making storms more unpredictable, it is important to not shrug off being prepared.

"Now, we have to know what can happen in our area and make sure that you got a plan," Carlson-Guest stressed.

She added it is important to not overlook the little things, such as making sure there is something to keep kids occupied during an emergency. And for households with elderly family members or someone who has special needs, they are reminded to stock up on specific supplies they would need during an emergency.


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Whitesburg residents have put the finishing touches on a walking trail aimed at increasing outdoor exercise among residents and linking local businesses.

Four benches were added along the three mile path that runs through the city's downtown, known as Tanglewood Trail.

Appalshop Community Development Director Annie Jane Cotton said the AARP Community Challenge grant used to fund the project offered an exciting opportunity to increase health and wellness for the region's older citizens.

"We have an aging population that needed more access to outdoor recreation opportunities," said Cotton, "as well as providing a network of businesses and access for citizens who potentially don't have cars."

Across the state, AARP Community Challenge grants have helped improve open spaces. The program is open to nonprofits and governments, and grants can range from several hundred dollars to tens of thousands for larger projects.

This year's deadline to apply is March 15. Visit 'aarp.org/communitychallenge' for more information.

Cotton said the project speaks to the potential of combining art, recreation and healthy food access as key components of a livable community.

"When we integrate art and community health opportunities, and community access to fresh and local foods," said Cotton, "we're not only fueling our local economy, we're also raising our community health status."

Matching funds raised by local businesses and individual donors will be put toward expanding the trail to the top of Pine Mountain, where it will join the 800 mile Great Eastern Trail.