From the Niagara Falls Review:
Shawn Fleckney says he was “just a kid” when he started volunteering as a mascot with the Winter Festival of Lights.
More than 20 years later, he’s still at it. He says he can’t think of a better way to spend his leisure time than by making new friends, learning skills and giving back to his community.
“Everyone here is just like part of my family,” said Fleckney, 33, who was presented with the Rick Stokes Award at a dinner Friday night at Club Italia to honour all those who have helped the organization.
“I’m in shock. I certainly wasn’t expecting this,” he said, minutes after picking up his award.
The Rick Stokes Award is given to the one exceptional volunteer who goes way beyond the call of duty. Fleckney put in 183 hours of volunteer work last year.