The Mary Hawley Service Award Committee has announced Gordon Williams as its inaugural recipient.

The public is invited to join the committee for a ceremony to present the award and celebrate Williams on Thursday, August 22, at 5 pm. The event will be at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street. Refreshments will be served.

Admission is free, but reservations are requested and available by contacting Newtown Savings Bank AVP-Community Relations Officer Julia Douglas at 203-426-4440 extension 3042 or community@nsbonline.com.

Named in honor of Newtown’s beloved benefactress, The Mary Hawley Public Service Award was established to promote volunteerism by recognizing an individual who, through lengthy and exceptional public service to Newtown, best represents the selfless commitment and spirit of its namesake.

Williams will be presented with the award later this month. Additionally, his name will be added to a plaque in The Mary Hawley Room within the town hall, and a $1,000 donation in his name — provided by Newtown Savings Bank — will be given to a recipient of his choosing.

The Mary Hawley Service Award Committee made the announcement June 26.

As written on the nomination form received by the committee, “the name Gordon Williams is synonymous with volunteerism in Newtown. He is a devoted husband and father, and friend to generations of people in and around Newtown. He has given his time to this town for decades, providing exactly the kind of time and talent to Newtown that The Mary Hawley Public Service Award was created for.”

Williams’s tireless efforts have significantly benefited numerous local organizations, including Newtown Lions Club, Newtown Historical Society, and Newtown Congregational Church. His leadership in coordinating events such as History Camp and The Great Pootatuck Duck Race, as well as his role in community initiatives such as Lose the Litter and HomeFront, exemplifies the dedication that the Mary Hawley Public Service Award seeks to recognize and honor, according to a statement from the committee.

Bronson Hawley, a selection committee member and distant relative of the award’s namesake, said he and the committee were impressed by Williams “and how immersed he is in Newtown. Like Mary Hawley, he has made meaningful contributions to the community.

“As our first recipient, he sets an exemplary standard for the caliber of candidates the award attracts. We’re honored to acknowledge his service and dedication,” Hawley added.