AARP South Dakota Honors Outstanding Volunteer Leaders

Annual Volunteer Summit and Lobby Day celebrates community impact

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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AARP South Dakota recently held its annual Volunteer Summit and Lobby Day in Pierre, recognizing exceptional volunteers who have made significant contributions to the organization and their local communities. The Andrus Award for Community Service, AARP's highest honor, was presented to Karla Abbott of Sioux Falls for her decades of nursing, education, and advocacy work, particularly in support of Native American health and STEM initiatives. The Community Leadership Award was given to Doris Ann Werlinger of Rapid City for her 25 years of dedicated service to AARP South Dakota, including coordinating programs and supporting advocacy efforts across western parts of the state.

Why it matters

AARP's volunteer network plays a vital role in advancing the organization's mission and connecting with communities across South Dakota. By recognizing exceptional volunteers, AARP South Dakota is highlighting the impact that engaged citizens can have in improving the lives of older adults and their families.

The details

The annual Volunteer Summit and Lobby Day brought together AARP volunteers from across South Dakota for two days of connection, learning, and celebration. The Andrus Award, named after AARP founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, was presented to Karla Abbott in recognition of her 38-year career in nursing and education, as well as her work championing initiatives to protect Native American health and increase STEM participation. The Community Leadership Award was given to Doris Ann Werlinger for her 25 years of service to AARP South Dakota, including coordinating programs like AARP Foundation Tax-Aide and Driver Safety, supporting advocacy efforts, and helping run community events.

  • The Volunteer Summit and Lobby Day took place on January 27-28, 2026 in Pierre, South Dakota.
  • Karla Abbott received the Andrus Award for Community Service in 2026.
  • Doris Ann Werlinger received the Community Leadership Award in 2025.

The players

Karla Abbott

An enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe from Eagle Butte, South Dakota, Karla Abbott has a 38-year career in nursing and education, and has championed initiatives to protect the health of Native American communities and increase Native American participation in STEM fields.

Doris Ann Werlinger

A volunteer with AARP South Dakota for 25 years, Doris Ann Werlinger has worn nearly every volunteer hat possible, from coordinating the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide and Driver Safety programs to supporting advocacy initiatives and helping run community events. She now leads the AARP South Dakota Information Center at Uptown Rapid Mall.

Erik Gaikowski

The AARP South Dakota state director, Erik Gaikowski praised Karla Abbott's exemplary service and leadership in the organization.

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What they’re saying

“Karla exemplifies 'service' in so many ways. For nearly a decade, she has led local activities, lent her voice to advocacy efforts, and served on our volunteer Executive Council. As an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe from Eagle Butte, she has been key in helping AARP South Dakota connect with rural and Native American communities on issues like Social Security, Medicaid Expansion, and Family Caregiving—an area she understands deeply as a caregiver for her father.”

— Erik Gaikowski, AARP South Dakota state director (aarp.org)

The takeaway

AARP's volunteer network is the backbone of the organization's work in South Dakota, and by recognizing exceptional volunteers like Karla Abbott and Doris Ann Werlinger, AARP is highlighting the vital role that engaged citizens play in improving the lives of older adults and their families across the state.