LEWISTON —  Mayor Laurent F. Gilbert Sr. presented American Red Cross volunteer Mohamed Ahmed with the January VIBE Award recently.

United Valley Emergency Services Director Eric Lynes, who nominated Ahmed, said, “Mohamed is so deserving of this award” and shared a PowerPoint presentation with Gilbert highlighting the Red Cross and tasks that the award recipient is involved with.

Gilbert agreed and said, “This award is being presented in appreciation for Mohamed’s volunteer service to the American Red Cross. Having experienced life in refugee camps in Somalia, Mohamed fondly remembered the care and aid provided by the Red Cross and wanted to become part of their efforts once in the United States.

“Mohamed is to be applauded for pursuing that goal and for his outreach to others with a heart of compassion and hope. He is also recognized for his continued participation in Red Cross disaster trainings, assistance with data entry, and by delivering messages from refugee camps around the world to people in our community through the Restoring Family Links Program.”

Nominations for future award recipients may be made online at www.ci.lewiston.me.us, under Special Notices or via nomination forms, located at municipal service windows.