AARP honors Duane Brown
<p>AARP volunteer Duane Brown, of Rathdrum, helps Debbie Shenefelt, of Coeur d’Alene, with free tax help in this Thursday, February 12 Press file photo, at the Post Falls Senior Center. Brown was selected as a recipient of the 2015 Andrus Award for Community Service by AARP Idaho.</p>
AARP Idaho selected Duane Brown of Rathdrum to receive the 2015 Andrus Award for Community Service, the association's most prestigious volunteer award.
Each year AARP honors the legacy of its founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, with the award, which is considered a symbol of the power of individuals to make a difference in the lives of others.
"Duane Brown is a proven leader with an impressive record of achievement that has impacted not just older Idahoans, but residents of all ages," said Angela Cortez, AARP Idaho interim state director. Cortez will formally present the award to Brown at an upcoming ceremony in Coeur d'Alene.
Since 1999, Brown has been a volunteer with the AARP Tax-Aide program. This free program helps Idaho residents file their federal and state tax returns.
Last year, more than 300 volunteers filed more than 19,000 returns totaling $20 million in refunds.
Idaho Tax-Aide volunteer Warren Fisher, representing several volunteers, nominated Brown for the award.
"His emphasis on having fun while we're working lifts everyone's spirits, and it's obvious to our taxpayers that we feel valued, confident, and enjoy our work," said Fisher. "Last year alone, we recruited over 70 new volunteers from the taxpayers who were having their returns prepared mostly because Duane has created a competent and confident volunteer experience."
For the past five years, Brown has served as the state coordinator for Idaho Tax-Aide, overseeing operations of 60 tax preparation sites across the state. In this role, he has positioned Idaho as one of the most successful programs in the country.
"His contributions to the program, as manager, instructor, technical expert in both tax law and computer networking, along with the connections he makes with the volunteers and the taxpayers, are obvious and important. It would be hard for anyone in the program in Idaho to miss his accomplishments," said Tax-Aide volunteer Deb Fisher.
Brown told The Press he is honored to receive the award, but he wants to accept it on behalf of all Idaho Tax-Aide volunteers.
"The team is who I want to congratulate, they did all the work," Brown said.