“I was shocked. I was humbled. I said, ‘Wow! I didn’t think I had done anything out of the ordinary.”

That was the reaction of Michelle Evans-Oliver, a volunteer AARP community ambassador, when she learned she had been selected as AARP Virginia’s 2018 Rookie of the Year.

As an AARP community ambassador since March, she speaks to groups in Metro Richmond about her passions – genealogy and caregiving.

Ms. Evans-Oliver was recognized along with five other volunteer award winners during a banquet at AARP Virginia’s All Volunteer Assembly in Charlottesville on Nov. 7.

“When you do things that you love and have passion for, you don’t think about it. You just do it,” Ms. Evans-Oliver says.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization advocates for and serves the needs of people 50 and older.

“Today’s AARP is not your parents’ AARP,” Ms. Evans-Oliver says. “For the present generation of seniors, AARP is different. Historically, most people thought of (AARP membership) as just getting discounts. Today, it is resources.

“You can call AARP and ask a particular question about where to go to get caregiving, financial advice, insurance, health care, Medicare supplement plans, veterans’ assistance, driving school and other issues seniors are interested in finding out about,” she says.

“Being an AARP community ambassador is a blessing to me because of all of the information I can use to help others in many different facets of their lives.”

Ms. Evans-Oliver, who has more than 20 years of experience in the financial, insurance and marketing industries, is founder and president of the Oliver Financial Group. The Richmond native says she started her business because she wanted more freedom and independence to pursue other passions as a community servant-leader.

“Helping others and volunteering is something that I have always done,” she says. “It was instilled in me as a child, as my parents were great examples of volunteerism. They instilled in me early on it is better to give than receive and that true happiness comes from giving without expecting something in return.”

Ms. Evans-Oliver got involved with AARP when she met a regional vice president for the organization last December. The conversation led to her contacting the associate state director for multicultural affairs in AARP’s Richmond office and becoming a community ambassador earlier this year.

“AARP finds a niche that you are interested in and you come in as a volunteer,” she explains.

Her niche and passion is genealogy because her family’s ties to the late Carter G. Woodson, a scholar, writer and historian from Virginia who is known as “the father of black history” and launched the first “Negro History Week” in February 1926. He also founded the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History, which is still vibrant today.

While she is still researching the connection, Ms. Evans-Oliver says her grandfather also was a Woodson and her family came from the Central Virginia area where Carter G. Woodson was born.

“Knowing where you come from helps you figure out who you are, what you do and makes you feel whole,” she says. “It helps you become complete.

“I like being Michelle Evans-Oliver the public servant.”

Meet AARP community ambassador award winner and this week’s Personality, Michelle Evans-Oliver:

Date and place of birth: Aug. 11 in Richmond.

Current residence: Glen Allen.

Education: Virginia State University

Family: Lauren and Evan.

Top honor: Recipient of AARP Virginia’s Rookie of the Year Award.

How I got news that I was award winner: I was working and received an email thanking me for being a volunteer for AARP Virginia and it said I was an award winner.

What this award means to me: I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be honored for doing something I am truly passionate about, which is service to others.

First volunteer position: My first volunteer position actually was at the Children’s Museum of Richmond. They didn’t have volunteers back then and I called the museum director and asked to volunteer one summer. They created a position for me. I loved working with the children.

What motivated me to get involved in community service: As a native Richmonder, I saw the need to be a change agent in my community. There was no promoting, just a desire to help and assist where there are voids.

AARP Virginia is important because: AARP Virginia provides multigenerational support to the community I live in and its impact is established and long standing.

Top issues facing the 50-plus population: Health care, caregiving, fraud and identity theft, brain health and living longer and smarter.

How AARP helps people face those issues: AARP enhances the quality of life for all as we age. We champion positive social change and deliver value through advocacy, information and service. 

How I start my day: Morning meditation and a cup of coffee.

A perfect day for me is: Doing at least one thing for someone else and completing my to-do list.

How I unwind: Peppermint tea and a good book.

The top of my to-do list is: To be better tomorrow than I am today!

Best late-night snack: Sleep.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Camping.

A quote that I am inspired by: “When setting out on a journey, do not seek advice from those who have never left home.” — Rumi

The best thing my parents ever taught me: To love and serve others unconditionally.

Person who influenced me the most: Outside of my mother and father, Maggie L. Walker is someone I look up to because I know the struggle of trying to help people who may not understand. Maggie L. Walker was passionate about helping others and changing lives in her community as well.

Book that influenced me the most: Any and all books by Carter G. Woodson.

Book I am reading now: “Becoming” by Michelle Obama.

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is: In life, you can’t control the outcome but you can control how you react to it.

Next goal: Continued peace.