NORTHAMPTON - The spirit of community volunteerism will be recognized and celebrated as the county's Paragon Award program marks its fifth anniversary.

The selection of four recipients of this year's awards was announced last week.

The Kimball Howes Award for a lifetime of volunteer leadership will go to Carl Erickson, of Northampton. Erickson has worked as a volunteer for more than a quarter century for a variety of community organizations. He serves at many of the meals provided by the MANNA soup kitchen, and he is active with the Northampton Survival Center, Friends of the Homeless, the county emergency food and shelter committee, Berkshire Children and Families, and various committees at Edwards Church.

Commenting on his volunteer commitment, Erickson writes, "I like to be busy and I like to help people. ... There is no better way to show love than by helping people."

The Paragon Awards are presented annually by the Paragon Partnership, which consists of the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Daily Hampshire Gazette and the United Way of Hampshire County, in conjunction with the ACT Community Service Center, a program that coordinates volunteer activities in Hampshire and Franklin counties.

Also receiving awards this year are:

 · Russell Carrier, of Florence, a long-time member and president of the Forbes Library Board of Trustees and of the Calvin Coolidge Library and Museum, will receive the Grace and Calvin Coolidge Award for Public Service. Carrier, born and raised in Northampton, has been a member of the volunteer board of the library for 28 years, playing a key role in renovations and expansion of the "people's university" during those years.

 · The Veterans Education Project based in Amherst will be recognized with the Community Enrichment Award, which is given to groups and individuals who make an exceptional contribution to the cultural life of the region. Started in 1982, the program trains veterans to share their personal stories in local schools, to teach history lessons and to help teens think critically about the realities and costs of war and violence. Volunteers with the project speak frequently at public meetings, and the organization started a support group for military family members in 2007. Among those accepting the award will be the Rev. Jim Munroe, a Vietnam veteran and frequent presenter.

 · Emily Norman, a junior at Amherst Regional High School, will receive this year's Outstanding Youth Award. Norman was nominated by Tracey Levy, program director at the Amherst Survival Center, where the student volunteers. Norman is secretary of the ARHS Community Service Club, where she has worked on community fundraising projects like Shelter Sunday. She has used school vacation time to help with reconstruction projects in New Orleans.

Jim Foudy, editor of the Gazette, said the Paragon Awards are a way of acknowledging "all of the outstanding individuals in Hampshire County whose volunteer efforts make this such a special community."

The four recipients were picked from more than 60 nominations submitted from across the county. All the people nominated for an award will be recognized at the award reception, April 16, 4:30 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott in Hadley.

The following were members of the selection committee: John Ebbets, CEO of United Way of Hampshire County; Lisa Bertoli, chairwoman of the ACT Community Service Board; Jim Butcher, of the Red Cross; Chris Collins, of WHMP; Amanda Doster, of the ACT Community Service Center; Ralph Levy, past Paragon Award recipient; Judi Marksbury, director of community relations for Smith College; Natalia Munoz, journalist and editor of La Prensa of Western Massachusetts; Steve Strimer, past Paragon Award recipient; and John Vassallo, vice president of Easthampton Savings Bank.

Reservations for this year's Paragon Awards reception can be made with the United Way of Hampshire County, at 584-3962 or info@unitedwayhampshirecounty.org.

Costs for the awards and the program are covered in part with financial support provided by Florence Savings Bank, Easthampton Savings Bank, PeoplesBank, Smith College and the Hampshire Hospitality group.

The Paragon Award program was started in 2004. Previous winners of the awards are:

 · Lifetime of volunteer activity: Kay Sheehan, of Florence, Ralph Levy Jr., of Northampton; Doris Holden, of Amherst, and Yvonne Freccero, of Northampton.

 · Public service: Stasia Charron, of Easthampton, Kathleen Anderson, of Amherst, Robert Mahar, of Florence, and Eleanor Jones, of Northampton.

 · Community enrichment: Bob Cilman, of Northampton, Steve J. Stoia, of Belchertown, Martin Wohl, of Northampton, and Steve Strimer, of Florence

 · Outstanding youth: Robert Reynolds, of Southampton, Kurtis Mckemmie, of Hadley, Abbe Hamilton, of South Hadley, and Shirin Hakim, of Amherst.