Monroe man receives President’s Volunteer Service Award

Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News
·3 min read

MONROE — After more than four decades of volunteering to help others, Anton Anderssen is getting White House recognition.

The Monroe resident recently received the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) for his volunteer service working with the disabled community. The announcement came with a medal and a certificate and letter signed by President Joseph Biden.

Created in 2003, the PVSA is offered in recognition of volunteer commitment. Both individuals and groups can be recognized with more than 4,000 committed volunteer service hours accumulated on a variety of projects.

Anderssen operates Anton Anderssen Travel Inc., a federally recognized tax-exempt 501c3 charity, with the mission to help disabled people travel with dignity.

Twenty years ago, Anton Anderssen started a “Teddy Bear Ministry.” The 64-year-old Monroe resident collects and gives teddy bears to church pastors, patients in hospice, fire departments and children's hospitals.
Twenty years ago, Anton Anderssen started a “Teddy Bear Ministry.” The 64-year-old Monroe resident collects and gives teddy bears to church pastors, patients in hospice, fire departments and children's hospitals.

The 64-year-old is also disabled with Pompe disease, a variant of Muscular Dystrophy. It is believed he is the only resident in Monroe County to have been diagnosed with the genetic condition. He relies on a wheelchair for transportation.

Anderssen said the disease typically affects children. Research indicates 1 in 40,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Pompe disease that causes heart and muscle weakness.

Founded in 1985, the charity is allowed to give small grants to disabled people who use the non-profit’s travel services.

Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.

“We have needs that other people don’t,” Anderssen said. “We always have to hire a porter. We have problems getting from the drop off area for a cruise to the terminal. I started learning about the things disabled people have special needs for like scooters on a cruise. Based on my needs, I started the charity.”

When Anderssen started the charity, he said at that time, travel agencies did not have the knowledge of the needs handicap people require when they travel.

He uses a portion of the commission he receives for booking travel accommodation for disabled clients. From that commission, Anderssen can provide a grant to disabled individuals.

Anton Anderssen of Monroe recently received the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)  for his volunteer service working with the disabled community.
Anton Anderssen of Monroe recently received the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) for his volunteer service working with the disabled community.

“We can cut the commission in half and give it back to the disabled person because they have extra needs and expenses that able bodied people don’t,” he said.

In some cases, clients will allow the charity to keep the entire commission. When that happens, the charity’s goal is to set money aside to offset the cost of converting a minivan to be handicap accessible so that the charity can provide transportation services.

Giving back to the community and caring for others is where Anderssen draws strength.

Twenty years ago, he started “Teddy Bear Ministry.” He collects and gives teddy bears to church pastors, patients in hospice, fire departments and children's hospitals. Many of the bears have been blessed by clergy before he sends them to patients.

An avid teddy bear collector in his own right, Anderssen thought sharing furry friends with others would not only bring a smile but some comfort. On occasion, he has shared bears from his own private collection.

Four years ago, Anderssen started “Widows’ Ministry” in response to senior citizen ladies who became widowed as a result of COVID. He sends Valentine cards with a small teddy bear as a reminder they are still loved.

He is also a volunteer guardian ad litem and conservator within the probate court.

Anderssen admits his volunteer work would not be possible without the support from his husband, Marco Airaghi.

“I feel that we need to be supportive of people that are suffering, people who are in need, people who have experienced a great loss or sorrow,” he said. “We need to think of people that are in a lot worse condition that we are. I have Muscular Dystrophy but there are a lot of people who are a lot worse off than I am. That is where my mind is focused – on people who have needs and how I can help.”

For more information or to make a donation (including teddy bears), email Anderssen at aat48162@gmail.com.

— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe man honored with President’s Volunteer Service Award