Debbie Mason Receives Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful's 'Volunteer of the Year' Award

On Thursday, Jan. 9, at the its annual awards dinner, long-time Peachtree Corners resident Debbie Mason received Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful's "Volunteer of the Year" award. 

"It was awfully nice to be recognized by a group of people that epitomize voluntarism," said Mason who admitted she was taken aback when she heard she had been chosen.

"It (volunteering) is what I've done for so long, I don't give it a thought, it's just what I do," said Mason who is also the wife of Mike Mason, the mayor of Peachtree Corners.

The selection process for the 11 categories, including the "Volunteer of the Year" award, is handled by the organization's board who accepted nominations for the annual recognition. 

"There were lots of reasons Debbie was selected for the "Volunteer of the Year" award said Connie Wiggins, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful's executive director. Among those said Wiggins "is her leadership and commitment to implementing a new board and individual giving campaign and for facilitating public and private partnerships."

This year's annual awards dinner was held at the Gwinnett Center. It is the organization's 34th year to recognize the volunteers and environmental stewards throughout the county.

Other honorees recognized Jan. 9:

• Jim Steele - Environmental Legacy Award
• Supermercado Tapatio - Best Green Recycler
• Waste Management - Best Green Partner
• Beaver Hills Civic Association - Best Green Neighborhood
• Rehrig Pacific - Best Green Industry
• Allgood Pest Solutions - Best Green Business
• Annandale Transition House - Best Green Building
• Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office - Best Green Government
• Peachtree Ridge High School Green Team - Best Green Youth Group
• Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Teacher Advisory Board Steering Committee - Best Green Educator