Robert L. Peterson was honored posthumously Wednesday with the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County's Joseph H. Mason Community Service Award for 2010.
Peterson passed away in March. He was a member of Carpenters Local 66, serving on its executive board for six years.
As a member of the Carpenters Union, he built wooden toys for the Salvation Army to distribute to children at Christmas.
He was also active in the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he made and donated wooden items for fundraisers, and packed and delivered Christmas boxes for veterans in nursing homes and hospitals.
A member of the firing squads for the veterans organizations, Peterson was also past Commander of the Disabled American Veterans and chairman of the Forget-Me-Not Drive.
Peterson was a former allocation panel member for the United Way and also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and was a member of the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, Carroll Lodge and the Jamestown Consistory.
Peterson's award was accepted by his widow, Donna.
In nominating Peterson, past Mason Award winner Jeff Aiken of the Carpenters Union said, "Bob truly deserves this award. He did so much for the veterans of our community. This is a fitting tribute in memory of Bob."
The award was presented by the son and son-in-law of Joseph H. Mason, Joe Mason and Chuck DeAngelo, during the annual United Way Salute to Labor Dinner, held at the Jamestown Elks Lodge.
The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County presents the Joseph H. Mason Award annually to a union member or staff person whose volunteer service to the community honors the spirit of involvement exhibited by the late Joseph H. Mason.
It is given to a union member or employee who is actively involved in community service.
The award recipient is chosen each year by a committee of past winners led by United Way board members Gary Sorenson, IBEW 459, retired; Mike Dye, Empire State Carpenters Region 4; Steve Skidmore, CSEA 807 and Steve Maggio, NYSUT, retired.
