A volunteer from West Chester's American Helicopter Museum & Education Center (AHMEC) recently received the 2023 AARP Pennsylvania Andrus Award for Community Service. In addition to the museum, winner Jim Palmquist is involved with eight other nonprofit organizations.

Palmquist, 78, first visited AHMEC in 2008. He discovered that the museum has examples of all six of the helicopters he flew while in the Navy and Army, including the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, and Kaman HH-2D Seasprite. Most of his flying time was in HH-2Ds, one of which is in the museum's collection and in his flight log, as he flew that exact helicopter years ago. After visiting the museum, Palmquist became a financial supporter and a speaker at its events. He also currently serves as a docent on alternate Saturdays monthly, and he frequently shares his flight experiences.

Following his retirement in 2009, he began volunteering at other institutions like AARP Pennsylvania, the American Humanist Association, and the Lehigh Valley Humanists. He has been the top executive of three of the institutions where he volunteers; some of his volunteer activities also includes lobbying. Palmquist's devotion to volunteerism and community service attracted the attention of AARP Pennsylvania, whose goal is to aid adults age 50 and older with various aspects of their lives. Palmquist joined other award recipients from across the country who were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.

Established in 1996, AHMEC collects, restores and displays rotary-wing aircraft, including over 35 civilian and military helicopters, autogyros and convertiplanes. The museum is located at 1220 American Blvd., West Chester, and it is open on Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sundays from noon until 5 p.m.