Jerry Burr

ZELIENOPLE — When Jerry Burr accepted an invitation to attend the annual fire department and borough recognition banquet Saturday night, he didn’t know what the night had in store for him.

Much to his surprise, Council President Allen Bayer called him up to accept an award recognizing his ongoing volunteer service in the community.

“I had no idea, all I knew was they invited me to a dinner,” Burr said afterward.

After being nominated by four different people, the borough council picked Burr to be the first Borough Volunteer of the Year.

Despite the lack of notice, Burr, 76, went up to accept the award and gave a short acceptance speech.

“We moved here from the country 10 years ago. and I couldn’t be happier. It’s the greatest town and I love every one of you guys,” he said.

He also said he was pleased to see the level of volunteerism in the community, especially from young people.

“If someone asks you to do something, don’t tell them you’ll think about it, “ he said. “Tell them you’ll do it.”

Burr volunteers with a number of Zelienople-based groups.

He is a member of the Zelienople, Harmony and Evans City Meals on Wheels steering committee, the Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard board and works with the Zelienople Salvation Army Service unit.

Since 2007 he has knit more than 4,000 wool caps, most of which have been donated to Butler County Caps for Kids and several area hospitals.

Over the years he has volunteered with the Zelienople Public Library, Passavant Retirement Community, Connoquenessing Valley Community Chest, Grace Church in Harmony, Pine Valley Bible Camp, Zelienople Rotary Club and Strand Theater.

He has also driven people to and from doctor’s appointments, helped out neighbors in need and pays visits to widows and homebound people, Bayer said.

Though he has only lived in Zelienople for the past 10 years, Burr is a longtime resident of the area, previously living in Jackson Township where he ran a dairy farm for nearly 30 years.

Burr spends countless hours and juggles multiple organizations without any expectation for recognition, Bayer said.

“I’ve been volunteering for close to 35 years, but I’ve never witnessed anything close to what this guy’s done. It’s fantastic, God bless him,” Bayer said.

Burr was given a personalized trophy and also will have his name added to a new plaque that will be displayed on the wall in council chambers on the second floor of the borough building.

The banquet also was the Zelienople Fire Department’s chance to honor its members for another year of service to the community.

More than 40 members of the fire department and fire police went out to 264 emergency calls last year, with its members spending 2,428 hours responding in 2014, said Chief Rob Reeb.

The members also spent more than 2,400 hours combined on internal and outside training courses and exercises.