AARP gives top community service award to Waterbury’s William April

October 9, 2024By Waterbury Roundabout 

Waterbury AARP volunteer Bill April (center) receives the Andrus Award at a luncheon at Zenbarn last week. With him are AARP's volunteer state president Linda Bowden (left) and AARP Vermont state director Greg Marchildon. Courtesy photo

AARP Vermont recently presented Bill April of Waterbury with its 2024 Andrus Award for Community Service. 

Named for AARP’s founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the award recognizes outstanding community service, according to the organization’s announcement this week.

“April has been a dedicated fraud fighter volunteer for AARP Vermont since 2018, playing a pivotal role in protecting the community from scams and fraud,” the announcement states. “With a PC support specialist background, Bill has leveraged his technical expertise to educate and empower Vermonters through his engaging and informative fraud prevention presentations.”

Over the past six years, April has traveled across the state, delivering presentations to various community groups sharing critical information on how to recognize, avoid, and report scams. His efforts are have made a significant impact, AARP said, particularly among older adults who are often targeted by fraud schemes.

“We are incredibly proud to honor Bill April with the 2024 Andrus Award for Community Service,” said AARP Vermont State Director Greg Marchildon. “Bill's dedication to protecting our community and his passion for educating others about fraud prevention truly embody the spirit of service that Dr. Andrus envisioned.”

The Andrus Award is AARP’s highest honor and is presented annually to a volunteer who has made a powerful difference in their community. 

AARP Vermont credits April’s dedication to protecting individuals from financial harm and fostering “a greater sense of awareness and security across Vermont.”

With over 37 million members nationwide, AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to issues affecting individuals age 50 and older. Find more online at aarp.org in addition to the Vermont chapter’s website.