As a 9-year old paperboy in Toronto, OH, David Hannan had to stop at a local nursing home to drop off a few papers. As a kid, it wasn't his favorite place to go. After all, the place was filled with folks who were years and years older than he was. But he soon became acquainted with many of the residents and he realized the home was filled with fascinating people, each with their own identities, their own histories, and their own stories to tell.

It was there that the seed was planted in David Hannan that has compelled him to lead a life rooted in community service, particularly when it involves the elderly and the needy.

Hannan moved to northeast Ohio in 1986 to attend Kent State University. Upon graduation, he accepted a position with the City of Munroe Falls as Finance Director in 1992, and later established his residency in Summit County in 1994 when wife, Kim, and he moved to Springfield Township.

That same year, a non-profit organization based in Lubbock, TX opened an office in Summit County. The organization was called Christmas in April and its purpose was to make home repairs for low-income elderly and disabled residents through a program called Rebuilding Together.

The organization relies on volunteers to get the work done, and given his interests; it was only natural for Hannan to gravitate to it. While he is involved in other facets of volunteerism and community service, Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April has been his pet project.

He started out as a house captain, overseeing repairs, became a member of the organization's Board of Trustees, served two years as treasurer and for the past four years, has been the board president.

Hannan came to Summit County government two years ago when he was hired as Council Clerk. Given his employer's annual support of Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April - Summit County, it simply enhanced Hannan's dedication to the program.

Hannan approaches every facet of his volunteerism with equal emphasis, whether it is judging a pie-tasting contest at a nursing home, grocery shopping for elderly shut-ins or making sure a furnace is repaired in a home the same day it breaks down.

It is because of his unquestioned dedication to Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April H Summit County and his other community service activities that the Akron Jaycees made David E. Hannan, Jr. the 62^nd recipient of its Distinguished Service Award. The award was announced at a banquet in early April.

"I couldn't have been more surprised that I won the award," said Hannan. "I didn't even know I was nominated for it until late in the process. To win far exceeded my expectations."

The Jaycees also made a charitable donation in Hannan's name to his favorite charity, which, of course, is Rebuilding Together.

Summit County Executive James B. McCarthy took note of Hannan's activities.

"David's volunteerism is an example for other public employees to emulate," said Executive McCarthy. "I commend him for his dedication to community service and congratulate him on this well-deserved honor."

The Hannan's are also instilling this commitment to community service in their children, 5-year old Hayley and 3-year old Collin (with 2-month old Evan waiting in the wings). The parents work with their kids to create craft projects. When completed, the kids wrap them up and head to Green's Pebble Creek Nursing Home. With the help of the home's activities director, the family distributes the craftwork to residents.

Hannan has also enlisted the help of senior citizens to take part in a reading program he developed for Riverview Elementary School in Munroe Falls. The adults, many of them retired public officials and business leaders, read stories to the schoolchildren. The readers get as enthused about the stories as the listeners do.

"They really enjoy reading to the kids; they put a little extra into the stories," said Hannan. "It's pretty entertaining."

If there is a common theme in Hannan's community service work, it's aiding or involving senior citizens.

"I just felt a need to give back to them what they have given us," Hannan said. "So many of them have led such interesting lives and we can benefit from their wisdom. I believe they can continue to contribute and enrich our lives."

And Hannan, in so many cases, has found a way to enrich theirs.