Bellegia is a thoughtful and respected advocate for policies and education to improve lives for older adults and family caregivers. She is a founding member of the Ashland Senior Advisory Committee, which advises the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council on the needs of local seniors.  She founded and co-chairs the Livable Ashland Alliance, which is working on “all-age-friendly” livability improvements for Ashland. 

Bellegia is also an extraordinary, long-term volunteer with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at SOU. In addition to organizing and teaching courses over the years, she is instrumental in marketing efforts, organizes an annual OLLI Open House attended by over 800 seniors and coordinates a community education series on critical topics related to aging. Bellegia formerly served on the regional Senior Advisory Council for Rogue Valley Council of Governments Senior and Disability Services and on an Oregon state advisory committee for caregiving issues. 

The annual Andrus Award is AARP’s most prestigious volunteer award. It recognizes individuals who are sharing their experience, talent and skills to enrich their communities in ways that are consistent with AARP’s mission, vision and commitment to volunteer service, and that inspire others to volunteer. AARP State Director Bandana Shrestha notes, “Anne Bellegia exemplifies the AARP commitment to positive social change through advocacy, information and service.”  Bellegia will be recognized again on Saturday, November 4, 9 a.m. at the Vital Aging Conference presented by AARP at the Smullin Education Center, 2825 East Barnett Road, Medford.

The Andrus award includes donations by AARP to charities, $1000 each for the awardee and the nominator to designate.  Both Bellegia and nominator Isleen Glatt have designated the Senior Services fund of the Ashland Parks Foundation. 

Interim Parks Director Leslie Eldridge notes, “Anne has made an extraordinary contribution to our Senior Services Division and to Ashland seniors.  We are so fortunate to have such amazing volunteers enriching our parks, programs and services.”
 

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CONTACT:
 
Isleen Glatt, Senior Services Superintendent
Ashland Parks and Recreation
541.552.2481