Published in Pawtucket Times on November 25, 2002

People have different perceptions of how retirees spend their time.

Some see retirees traveling across the nation in RVs, working part-time jobs to make ends meet, going for the “big win” at Foxwoods on the one-armed bandits.

Or perhaps retirees are not out and about working or traveling, but instead are sitting on a rocker on the porch, disengaged from the community-at-large.

Not so for Sarah Gauvin, who remembers retiring from her bookkeeping job at age 65 to put more time and energy into her volunteer efforts.

The now 80-year-old Pawtucket resident has been a card-carrying member in AARP’s Chapter 1192 for the last 15 years – serving three years as the group’s vice president and two years as president.

Gauvin has also been extremely active in the aging advocacy group’s efforts of pushing for a drug benefit in Medicare.

However, Gauvin does not limit his volunteer work to just AARP-RI activities – she also uses her time to support other worthy local causes.

As a member of the St. Vicent de Paul Society at St. Edward’s Church in Pawtucket, she assists Rhode Islanders in paying their rent and activities.

On most Wednesdays, you can always find Gauvin working at the Blackstone Valley Emergency Food Center (BVEFC), passing out bags of food. She is a charter member of BVEFC and also sits on the Pawtucket Senior Center Council.

Ten years ago, Gauvin signed up with Literacy Volunteers of America to help teach adults the skill of reading. Ultimately, over this period of time, she would tutor a young woman who was returned to the community after years of being institutionalized in a facility that is now closed.

Before she met Gauvin, she could not read one single word. Today, this woman, now in her 40s, can read at a sixth-grade level.

Last week, at the Atlantic Beach Club in Middletown, more  than 80 seniors and AARP Rhode Island staff gathered to celebrate the importance of volunteerism.

They came to recognize Gauvin and other senior volunteers for their strong commitment efforts and dedication to make the Ocean State a better place to live.

Gauvin became the 2002 recipient of AARP-RI’s Andrus Award, the nonprofit group’s most prestigious volunteer award.

Each year, AARP-RI and other state chapters recognize an outstanding member and volunteer who is making a powerful difference to their community in ways that are consistent with AARP’s mission, vision, values and strategic direction.

State Director Kathleen S. Connell called Garvin’s efforts “inspirational” to many because of her selfless giving.

“In her own quiet way, she has profoundly affected the lives of many others and continues to do so. I hope that when I am her age. I can be half as energetic and contribute as much as does,” Connell says.

Phil Zarlengo, 64, president of AARP-RI, tells All About Seniors, that Gauvin’s sterling track record as a volunteer dispels the myth that seniors lie  life of leisure, not wishing to get involved in their later years with life’s major issues and concerns.

“She has a lifetime commitment to community service at all levels,” he adds.

According to Zarlengo, hundreds of AARP volunteers also exemplify Gauvin’s commitment to the community.

“We are highly dependent upon these volunteers to really fulfill AARP RI’s mission,” that is enhancing the quality of life for all ages, to lead positive social change and to deliver value to members through information , advocacy and service.

Gauvin is sold on the positives of being a volunteer.

“Get involved,” she urged “because it makes your life brighter, if you help somebody else.”