Westbrook resident and active volunteer David Collins was surrounded by dozens of people in the Highland Lake Grange Hall last week, and all eyes were on him.

Collins, 59, received the 2015 Community Service Award on May 7, which is handed out by the Grange each year to recognize “outstanding service to the community.”

According to City Councilor Mike Sanphy, who is also a Grange member, roughly 80 people attended the ceremony, including family, friends and members of the groups he has volunteered with over the years.

Collins has volunteered countless hours to many organizations, including Westbrook Youth Soccer, Cub Scout Pack 70, Boy Scout Troop 83, Daisy/Brownie Troop 2019, Pine Tree Council Boy Scouts, Tuffy Football, Congin Elementary School, Westbrook Band Boosters, Lancers Color Guard, Taboo Winter Guard, and Highland Lake Church. He and his family are also well known for opening their Westbrook home every Thanksgiving morning to serve breakfast for their friends and neighbors.

Collins works as a self-employed electrician. He and his wife, Julia, have three daughters and a son. His daughter, Tracy, made a speech to the audience at the Grange, stating that her father “is at every single game, event, play, meeting, and show. Whatever we may have on whatever night, he is there.”

She shared a story about his help with the 1995 Westbrook Marching Band, which won first place. She said her dad built a remote-controlled wooden platform equipped with lights and dry ice that was made from old electric wheelchair parts.

According to his daughter, Ashley, Collins led his Boy Scout troop and others on the Philmont trip, a two-week hike in New Mexico.

She added that he has also devoted countless hours of work and materials to Camp Hinds, including museum lighting and electricity to new cabins, and has helped to renovate My Place Teen Center.

In a separate ceremony Thursday, Cornelius “Sonny” Small was presented his 55-year Grange membership certificate, and Larry and Joann Levesque each received their 25-year certificates.

The American Journal spoke with Collins this week about the award, and his role as a community volunteer.

Q: Was it a surprise to receive the Grange’s annual Community Service Award? What did it mean to you?

A: It was an extreme surprise, although they told me before the ceremony so I would be there. I feel overwhelmed. It was a great honor, but I am not sure I am so deserving as to be publicly honored in such a way.

Q: There were many people there from the organizations you serve. What was it like to have so many people in attendance?

A: It made me cry inside, and almost on the outside. I never would have thought that so many people would honor me like that.

Q: Tell me about some of the organizations you’ve volunteered with? What makes you continue to serve these groups in Westbrook?

A: One of the best moments (last week) was when one of my Scouts, age 11, surprised everyone and stood and talked. What an honor. I not so sure (why I volunteer.) I wish to make a difference, I guess. Many times I have doubted if I do, but I tell everyone, “It starts with you.”

Q: You open your home every Thanksgiving, serving breakfast to neighbors and friends?

A: This is true. One year, I had 300 people show – it was when my children were young and belonged to lots of sports teams. Most of the time it is around 150 people.

Q: Westbrook has seemingly hundreds of community organizations and programs. Do you see Westbrook as a city that has a strong volunteer base?

A: I think Westbrook has a great population, with many volunteers. It is like I tell my young men in the Scouts though: You can never have too much help, so find the means of looking at others and inviting them to participate. A great volunteer can create more volunteers through fun and leadership. Yes, we have a great volunteer base, but we can always do better at “volunteering to let volunteers” do the job.

Q: What’s next for you? Do you plan to continue volunteering in the community?

A: I take one footstep at a time. I have no trail map to follow, only my heart as a compass. I love to laugh, I love to see others laugh, and most importantly, I love to see others have great success and accomplishment.

Westbrook resident David Collins, right, accepts the 2015 Community Service Award from Highland Lake Grange Master Dave Gowen last Thursday. Collins has volunteered in a number of community organizations for decades.Courtesy photo

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