On December 7 Upton resident Mike Penko received the Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network Volunteer of the Year Award for 2013. The award was presented to Penko at the Networks 6th annual conference which was held at the Upton VFW.
Mike was nominated by Marcella Stasa who wrote in her letter of nomination, “There are volunteers, and then there are VOLUNTEERS. Mike Penko is a VOLUNTEER…If Mike is asked to assist with anything, be it a lift, help on trails, updating the web-site or slogging through paperwork, if he’s available, his answer is always ‘yes.’ He is among the rare individuals who have a commitment to service and giving back, and truly lives it.”
In addition to working with the Friends of Upton State Forest Penko serves on the Board of Directors of the Metacomet Land Trust and is a member of the Upton Conservation Commission serving on two of the commissions sub-committees.
UPTON DAILY 