PORTLAND – Tom Beckwith of Monmouth was presented the Maine Recreation and Park Association Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award at the National Recreation and Park Association’s New England Training Institute awards luncheon on March 23 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay.

More than 200 recreation and park professionals from throughout New England attended the luncheon.

Beckwith was selected from nominees across the state for his efforts and dedication to the youth of Monmouth through his service as a volunteer coach and member of the Monmouth Recreation Committee.

The award is given each year to a volunteer who contributes to the well being of recreation within the state and who believes in and supports the development and creation of some type of recreation program, facility or service.

Beckwith started his volunteer career in the local youth baseball league in 1978 and has served as a youth team coach for most of the 26 years. He has served as a volunteer youth basketball coach for nine years and started the middle school cross country running program eight years ago, serving as a volunteer coach since then.

In 1987 Beckwith became a member of the Monmouth Recreation Committee where he continues to help direct the town’s recreation programs. In 1990 he helped to revitalize the athletic boosters association, a program he continues to assist.

And for the past 12 years he has kept vigil at the back gate during the Monmouth Fair on Friday night, helping the Monmouth Youth Baseball Association in one of their annual fund-raisers and the Monmouth Fair Association.

Beckwith was also presented letters of support and recognition from the Monmouth selectmen, Monmouth Academy Principal Mike Burnham, and cross-country co-coach Julie Wright.