The Presidential Achievement Award is a very high honor to receive. Local veteran Mike Lauffer was given this award by completing 10,000 hours of volunteer work in just five years. This information was presented to Carbon County Commissioners during Wednesday evening’s meeting by Lauffer and two representatives.
A representative informed the commissioners that the award generally takes the average individual 15 to 20 years to receive. Lauffer did his volunteer work by driving veterans from Carbon, San Juan and Emery counties to Salt Lake City to visit the VA clinic.
Commissioner Jake Mellor informed all that this is not as easy as simply driving the vets back and forth. To qualify to do this volunteer work, there are numerous tests that must be passed and certificates one must have. Mellor then stated that anytime someone from Carbon and Emery county can put Eastern Utah on the map by receiving such an award, the community and commissioners are honored.
“Thank you for your service,” Mellor stated.
Lauffer spoke for a short time, stating that everything that he does is because people need it.
“As long as they need it and as long as I can, I’ll do it,” Lauffer stated.