Manchester Volunteer Recognised with Andrus Award 2026

Key Points

• Andrus Award for Community Service for AARP Connecticut in 2026 is granted to Donna Powell from Manchester.
• Donna Powell won that award due to her over seven years volunteering with UR Community Cares.
• The award was given to Donna Powell by AARP Connecticut on October 30 during ice cream social at the UR Community Tech Center in Manchester.
• Powell played key role in organizing and conducting more than 125 free courses and events.
• Powell was teaching over 300 older adults digital literacy and conducting over 100 virtual and face-to-face companionships.
• Also, she recruited and guided over 25 volunteers.
• In addition, Powell was engaged in the launch of UR Community Cares in 2019 and opening of its UR Community Tech Center in 2024.
• Andrus Award is named after AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus.
• Donna Powell will give $3,000 donation to nonprofit of her choice, which she chose to be UR Community Cares.
• This very article mentions Patti Anne Vassia receiving the Champion Award from New Horizons Domestic Violence Services and law firm O’Sullivan McCormack Jensen & Markim from Glastonbury being recognized as Best Law Firms in 2027.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) November 13, 2026 — Manchester volunteer Donna Powell has received AARP Connecticut’s 2026 Andrus Award for Community Service, the organisation’s annual state volunteer honour, in recognition of more than seven years of work with UR Community Cares.

As reported by CT News Junkie, AARP Connecticut selected Powell for the award after she helped plan and coordinate more than 125 free classes and community events, taught digital skills to more than 300 older adults, and provided more than 100 remote and in-person companion sessions. She also recruited and supported more than 25 volunteers.

The award presentation took place on 30 October at an ice cream social held at the UR Community Tech Center in Manchester. UR Community Cares is a Manchester nonprofit that provides free technology classes, companion support and community events intended to help older adults remain in their homes.

According to the information reported by CT News Junkie, UR Community Cares is Connecticut’s first licensed Senior Planet from AARP programme. Powell helped with the organisation’s launch in 2019 and the opening of its UR Community Tech Center in 2024. She now helps manage free technology classes and one-on-one coaching at the centre.

What Did AARP Connecticut Say About Donna Powell?

AARP Connecticut said Powell’s work had helped older adults stay connected through technology, companionship and community activities. The organisation presented the Andrus Award to recognise volunteer service that supports older adults and strengthens local communities.

Powell said in a news release: “Keeping people connected strengthens our communities and enriches lives.” She added that she was honoured to be recognised for her role at UR Community Cares and hoped the award would encourage more people to volunteer “in whatever way possible.”

The Andrus Award is named after Ethel Percy Andrus, the founder of AARP. Alongside the recognition, AARP Connecticut donates $3,000 to an eligible nonprofit selected by the award recipient. Powell chose UR Community Cares as the recipient of the donation.

How Has Powell Supported Older Adults?

Powell’s volunteer work has focused on helping older adults use technology and maintain social connections. Her activities have included teaching digital skills, offering individual coaching and supporting community events at UR Community Cares.

According to CT News Junkie, Powell helped organise more than 125 free classes and community events. She also taught digital skills to more than 300 older adults and provided more than 100 companion sessions, both remotely and in person.

In addition, she recruited and supported more than 25 volunteers. Her involvement in the 2019 launch of UR Community Cares and the 2024 opening of the UR Community Tech Center formed part of the basis for the award.

What Is UR Community Cares?

UR Community Cares is a Manchester-based nonprofit that offers free technology classes, companion support and community events for older adults. Its stated aim is to help older residents remain in their homes.

The organisation operates the UR Community Tech Center, where Powell helps manage free technology classes and one-on-one coaching. According to the report, UR Community Cares is Connecticut’s first licensed Senior Planet from AARP programme.

The nonprofit’s services combine digital skills training with social support. This approach is intended to address both technology access and isolation among older adults.

What Is The Andrus Award?

The Andrus Award for Community Service is AARP Connecticut’s annual state volunteer honour. It recognises individuals whose volunteer work benefits older adults and their communities.

The award is named after Ethel Percy Andrus, who founded AARP. AARP Connecticut presents the award alongside a $3,000 donation to an eligible nonprofit chosen by the recipient.

In this year’s award, Powell selected UR Community Cares to receive the donation. The organisation said the contribution would support its work with older adults in Manchester and surrounding communities.

What Did Powell Say About The Award?

Powell described the recognition as an honour and linked her work to the importance of community connection. She said: “Keeping people connected strengthens our communities and enriches lives.”

She also said she hoped the award would encourage more people to become volunteers. Her comments were included in a news release cited by CT News Junkie.

Powell’s statement placed emphasis on volunteering in “whatever way possible,” rather than on a single form of service. She has been involved in teaching, event coordination, volunteer recruitment and companion support.

What Other Honours Were Reported?

The CT News Junkie report also covered two other Connecticut developments: Patti Anne Vassia received New Horizons Domestic Violence Services’ annual Champion Award, and Glastonbury law firm O’Sullivan McCormack Jensen & Markim received top-tier regional rankings in the 2027 edition of Best Law Firms.

Patti Anne Vassia Receives Champion Award

New Horizons Domestic Violence Services presented its annual Champion Award to Patti Anne Vassia, a longtime community advocate and fundraiser, for decades of work supporting survivors of domestic violence.

According to CT News Junkie, more than 100 donors, supporters and friends attended the event. United States Senator Richard Blumenthal also presented Vassia with a proclamation recognising her service.

New Horizons is a programme of Middletown-based Community Health Center Inc. Kasey Harding, director of the Community Health Center’s Center for Key Populations and New Horizons, said demand for services and the need for safe housing are growing.

Harding said one in three homicides in Connecticut this year has been related to domestic violence. She also said the New Horizons shelter is operating at 175% of capacity. New Horizons operates a 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 860-344-9599.

Mark Masselli, founder and president of Community Health Center Inc., said: “Patti did more than work in this community, she transformed it.” He added: “She makes community a verb, and Middlesex County is better for it.”

The event also marked the start of New Horizons’ annual fundraising campaign.

Glastonbury Law Firm Receives Rankings

Glastonbury law firm O’Sullivan McCormack Jensen & Markim received top-tier rankings in the Hartford region for commercial litigation and insurance litigation in the 2027 edition of Best Law Firms, released on 5 November.

Best Lawyers publishes Best Law Firms as a reference guide for choosing law firms by practice area. According to the firm, the rankings reflect recognition from clients and peers. Best Lawyers explains its selection process on its website.

The firm’s commercial litigation practice represents businesses and individuals in disputes including contract, partnership and shareholder cases, unfair trade practices and unfair competition, trademark misappropriation, commercial defamation and securities litigation.

Its insurance litigation practice represents corporate and individual policyholders in coverage disputes.

Background Of The Development

The Andrus Award is named after Ethel Percy Andrus, the founder of AARP, and is presented by AARP Connecticut as its annual state volunteer honour. The award recognises volunteer service that supports older adults and community wellbeing.

UR Community Cares was launched in 2019 and opened its UR Community Tech Center in 2024. The organisation provides free technology classes, companion support and community events designed to help older adults remain in their homes. It is described as Connecticut’s first licensed Senior Planet from AARP programme.

Powell has been involved with the organisation for more than seven years. Her work has included digital skills teaching, one-on-one coaching, companion sessions, volunteer recruitment and coordination of free classes and community events.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Older Adults And Volunteers

The recognition of Powell may encourage more older adults in Manchester and nearby communities to take part in UR Community Cares’ free technology classes, companion sessions and community events. Increased awareness of the centre could help more residents access digital skills training and social support.

The $3,000 donation to UR Community Cares may support the nonprofit’s ongoing programmes, including technology classes and one-on-one coaching. For older adults, this could mean continued access to practical help with devices, online services and staying connected with family, friends and community activities.

For volunteers, the award may highlight the range of ways people can contribute, from teaching digital skills to assisting with events or providing companionship. Powell’s own comments suggest that the recognition is intended to encourage further volunteering rather than focus solely on individual achievement.

For community organisations, the report may draw attention to the role of volunteer-led programmes in supporting older residents. The wider coverage of Vassia’s award and New Horizons’ fundraising campaign also points to continued community focus on services for people facing isolation, housing insecurity and domestic violence.