Carpenter Elementary Foster Grandparent honored as Washtenaw County program celebrates 58 years of service
Long-time Foster Grandparent volunteer, Rubye Ogburn, was honored at state and county events for her dedication and service. Ogburn received Michigan Community Action’s Volunteer of the Year Award at a state-wide event in Lansing and was recognized with a resolution at the June 3rd Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting.
During Legislative Day hosted by Michigan Community Action at the state capital, Ogburn accepted an award for 13 years of volunteer service with the Foster Grandparent Program. Several awards were given to various legislators, clients, and volunteers to honor the hard work and collective impact of those serving various Michigan communities.
At the June 3rd Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Justin Hodge presented Ogburn with a resolution congratulating her on her state award and formally acknowledging her contributions to the Washtenaw County community and Foster Grandparent Program.
Ogburn cites her mother as her inspiration for serving, as she was a Foster Grandparent volunteer. Ogburn joined the program as soon as she became eligible in 2013 and has since served 14,400 hours over 14 years. She currently serves at Carpenter Elementary in Ann Arbor for 24 hours a week, and in the summer months, Ms. Ogburn serves in Ypsilanti at the Grizzly Learning Camp. In 2025, she volunteered a total of 1,200 hours.
Washtenaw County Commissioner Justin Hodge shared about Rubye: “Rubye Ogburn carries forward a beautiful family legacy of service, bringing an abundance of joy, dedication, and warmth to everything she does. To volunteer over 14,000 hours across 14 years is a monumental testament to her heart for our community’s children, whether she is uplifting students at Carpenter Elementary or supporting campers in Ypsilanti. Washtenaw County is immensely proud to celebrate Rubye as Michigan Community Action’s Volunteer of the Year. She is a true pillar of support whose brightness and famous hugs change the lives of young people every single day.”
Megan Quick, first-grade teacher at Carpenter Elementary School, shares, “Grandma Rubye’s impact at Carpenter is enormous. Every morning students and staff greet her warmly and look forward to her famous hugs. In my first‑grade classroom, she provides one‑on‑one support for students who thrive with individualized attention; they eagerly anticipate their time with her. Her calm, gentle voice helps students feel confident and empowered to complete their work. She gives meaningful compliments and consistently reminds students how hard they are working and how proud she is of them. Because she has built strong relationships across the school, staff know they can always count on Grandma Rubye when extra help is needed. This is my 4th year having the privilege to work alongside Grandma Rubye. I can’t imagine my school days without her brightness and joy.”
The Washtenaw County Foster Grandparent Program was started in 1968 to provide volunteer support to special needs children. Grandparents assist in all academic subject areas and even provide individualized support to students with exceptional needs. In 2025, 61 volunteers served at 27 different sites throughout the school year and summer months. Collectively, volunteers served nearly 40,000 hours.
Foster Grandparents are AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers. AmeriCorps Seniors is a United States government program run by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The program engages volunteers aged 55 and older to serve their communities. There are over 200,000 volunteers nationwide. The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development sponsors the Washtenaw Foster Grandparent Program. Operating 58 years, the Washtenaw Program is one of the longest serving programs in Michigan.
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