FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Clifford L. Willis, AARP Indiana
November 3, 2005 CLWillis@aarp.org; Phone 317-423-7105
Lanane receives AARP community service award
INDIANAPOLIS – Dennis (Denny) Lanane, Anderson, has received the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service. This is the association’s most prestigious volunteer honor. He received the award today during ceremonies sponsored by AARP Indiana.
AARP Indiana recognized Lanane for his work with passage of a new law that protects vulnerable older adults. “He worked tirelessly on the ‘Endangered Adults’ law, which treats reports of missing older adults similar to those involving missing children under the Amber Alert legislation,” said Irene Wegner, associate state director for community outreach, AARP Indiana.
“Denny Lanane continues to be a tireless advocate for Hoosiers throughout the state,” said Wegner. As president of Indiana TRIAD, he oversaw expansion of the organization into 17 communities in 2004. TRIAD is a program that brings law enforcement agencies and older citizens together to reduce crimes aimed at elders.
A community coordinator for AARP Indiana, Lanane also writes a weekly column about older adult issues for the Anderson newspaper. In addition, he’s active in addressing consumer fraud in Anderson and has introduced the “LifeSaver” program to the community. This program helps locate adults who become lost because of dementia.
“Denny exemplifies AARP’s commitment to volunteer service in communities across Indiana and around the country,” said Wegner. “We are proud to recognize his efforts and achievements.”
The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service recognizes members and volunteers who, through volunteer service, are enhancing members’ lives in the areas of health and wellness, economic security and work, life transition issues, and personal enrichment.
Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to improve their communities; enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members; advance AARP’s strategic issues in the areas of health and wellness, economic security and work, long-term care, independent living, end of life, or personal enrichment; and positively affect other volunteers or inspire others to volunteer.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.