The Norm Temple Community Volunteer Award is presented to a group or individual in recognition of exceptional community service. This year, United Way honors all the exceptional volunteers of the Kennebec Valley who stepped up during one of the most challenging and unprecedented years our community has faced. These volunteers allowed our nonprofits to remain open and continue to serve an increased number of clients. United Way will be spotlighting exceptional community heroes through the end of the month. Our first recipient of the Norm Temple Community Volunteer award is Keith Dubois.

In the fall of 2019, USM's Director of Financial Services Keith Dubois began putting his retirement plans in place, transitioning to a part-time role. It didn't take him long to fill the void that this created; in November 2019, the Sidney resident began volunteering at the Augusta Food Bank (AFB) on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

When the pandemic first hit central Maine, the AFB changed its operation dramatically in order to continue serving its customers. COVID-19 caused other issues as well, perhaps the most significant one being the loss of a number of volunteers who (wisely) took a leave of absence to reduce their risk of the virus' exposure. Keith didn't miss a beat. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Keith is AFB's front-line goodwill ambassador - delivering food during the AFB Marketplace program on Tuesdays and handing out Weekend KidsPaks and keeping order every Thursday during “Surplus Food Thursday.”

Whether it is running back inside to fulfill a special request, handing out flowers to adults or ice cream to kids, or even dressing up as Santa Claus for those passing by, Keith always goes over and above in providing the ultimate in customer service. Neither heat, nor cold, nor rain, nor snow keeps Keith from smiling – AFB Executive Director Bob Moore shudders to think where the AFB would be without him. Thank you, Keith!