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National AARP Annual Chapter and Retired Educators
Association Unit Community Service Award
By Lynda
Wheeler, KARSP Community Service
 National
AARP Annual Chapter and Retired Educators
Association Unit Community Service Award goes to a
person, or persons, providing the most outstanding
service to the community through a chapter or unit
sponsored service project.
This year the award goes to four KARSP members; Ron
Gardner & Ernie Claudel of Olathe and Lee & Sharon
Sharpe of Junction City.
 Ernie Claudel (left) & Ron Gardner (right) have been
serving as Co-Chairs of the Legislative Committee
for the Olathe District Schools Retired Employees
Association for the past three years. Ernie is
District III Director for KARSP and Ron has served
on the KARSP board as liaison to the Kansas
Coalition of Retired Public Employees. These two
gentlemen have tirelessly spearheaded the formation
of the Coalition of Retired Public Employees that is
dedicated to getting a permanent COLA (Cost of
Living Adjustment) for KPERS (Kansas Public Employee
Retirement System) retirees.
Ron & Ernie have given hundreds of hours of their
time to driving around the state recruiting
membership organizations and establishing a
state-wide email communication network for the
Coalition and the COLA cause. Ron serves on the
Steering Committee and Ernie is the Vice-Chair. To
this date, the Coalition is 38 state and local
organizations strong, and is focused on the single
goal of achieving the COLA for KPERS retirees. The
last permanent COLA was enacted in 1998 and the loss
of buying power for KPERS retirees’ dollars is a
minimum of 25% since then – so this is vital work.
Dr. Harvey Ludwick, KARSP Executive Director and
COLA lobbyist say, “When the Coalition reaches its
goal, 65,000 retired state employees and countless
currently working state employees’ lives will be
touched and improved by the work these two men have
done these past two years.” Congratulations Ron &
Ernie!
The other two recipients for the AARP Community
Service Award are Lee & Sharon Sharpe of the
Junction City.
Lee & Sharon have been major factors in the
establishment and growth of the Junction City
Retired School Personnel unit. Lee has served as
treasurer for 8 years and members credit him for the
unit’s financial stability. He is also on the
selection committee that has financial authority
over three scholarship funds. He oversees the
organization’s yearbook from formatting through
printing. Lee is at all the meetings to check people
in as well as collect and distribute money where
needed.
Lee not only keeps JCARSP’s money in order, he was
instrumental in establishing the Geary County
Education Foundation that brings various authors and
activities to students and the community, funds
scholarships to local students, and annually
recognizes approximately 550 educators with a
dinner.
Sharon, though newly retired, has taken on the
Public Relations position for JCARSP, is Co-Chair of
the Membership Committee, has helped the unit gain 8
new members, and helps members who need a ride to
meetings and other activities.
Sharon belongs to several education associations.
She reads about 150 books annually to help select
the William Allen White top books list. It is easy
to see how Sharon was able to receive the Unit
Service Award last year.
Lee and Sharon work all this in and around their
travels, orchid growing hobby, and preparing gourmet
meals for friends and family. These two delightful
people can be counted on as ready and willing
volunteers who will always help where and when
needed. Our community salutes Lee & Sharon for their
work!
L. Wheeler, KARSP Community Service Chair, August
2008
Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel
515 Kansas Ave., Ste 201.
Topeka, KS 66603-3415
Phone: 785-232-8788
K.A.R.S.P@hotmail.com
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