SEASIDE Seaside business operator John Morris is this years winner of the Byron Award for outstanding volunteer service.

Morris received the honor from the Seaside Chamber of Commerce at a chamber awards breakfast Friday morning.

The award is named after the late Byron Meek, a consummate volunteer in Seaside for 40 years.

Morriss company, Morris Floorcovering, Inc. also was named Corporate Citizen of the Year by the chamber. Other individuals were honored by the chamber as well.

As Morris received the award, he asked if he had to give a speech. He thanked the chamber, shook hands with last years Byron Award winner Jason Schermerhorn and left the spotlight.

But the attention on Morris remained. Dennis Brodigan, of the Seaside Elks, praised Morris for his volunteer work with the Elks.

What he has done for the Elks has been unsurpassed, Brodigan said. A lot of folks in the community dont know. His work is tireless, unsurpassed.

For 53 years, Morris has been involved with the Seaside Kids as a player, coach and board member.

Morris is also a past Exalted Ruler of the Seaside Elks and is active with the Seaside Chamber of Commerce.

He started with the Seaside Kids at age 7 when he played catcher on the baseball team. He worked his way up to coach and board member. His kids went through the program, and his grandchildren have been involved with the organization.

As member of the Elks, he has helped with the organizations free-throw contest for more than 25 years. Students from the elementary and middle schools are given a chance to win trophies and basketballs in competition that goes to the national level.

Morris also donates to Seaside Kids the money he receives from people who put messages on the reader board at his Seaside business, Morris Floorcovering. That amounts to nearly $4,000 a year.

His other activities include being a volunteer firefighter; a member of Seasides urban renewal committee; volunteering for local events, including volleyball weekend, Hood to Coast Relay, the sand sculpture contest and Christmas festivities.

Morris is a Hall of Fame member, a Seaside schools activity booster and was named Elk of the Year and Citizen of the Year. His photo is also on the Wall of Fame in the Seaside Civic and Convention Center.

Meek was the first winner of the award in 2001. Other successive winners were: Cheryle Barker, Sue Pickell, Sandy McDowell, Ken Strong, Doug Barker, Harry Miller, Glenn Bard, Steve Phillips, Coral Cook and Jason Schermerhorn.

Past Byron Award winners review the nominations and select each years recipient.

Other winners of awards presented by the chamber of commerce on Friday include:

Chuck Miner, Chamber board president: Honored for his continued service to the chamber and the community.

Cheryle Barker, Chamber Ambassador of The Year: Awarded to a chamber ambassador who has gone above and beyond the already recognized immense work that the ambassadors provide in the community.

Carol Eakle, Seaside Chamber Volunteer Appreciation Award: In recognition for providing outstanding service to the Seaside Chamber of Commerce.

Jeanne Clark, Lifetime Membership Award: exemplary contributions to the advancement of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce. Jeanne was the interim executive director for a year and worked as an event co-coordinator for six years. She founded the Seaside Chamber Community Foundation, which has provided financial support to Seaside community projects.

Morris Floorcovering, Inc, Citizen of The Year: company has shown corporate philanthropy in the local community, has donated money to charities and has assisted local organizations.

Jeff Kilday, Chamber Business Person of the Year:Owner of the Seaside Wine and Beer House, Kilday expanded the store and doubled its inventory. Kilday also volunteers to coach the Seaside High School athletics team, assists at the Three-Course Challenge and helps out at the Nike Hood To Coast Beer Garden.

Those winning the Chamber Building Block Award, givento chamber members who have helped Seaside to prosper, were:

Greg Boat, of Del Sol Seaside

Randy Frank, of Normas Ocean Diner

Cathie Cates and Pam Fleming, of The Natural Nook & Back Ally Gardens

Gina Simone of SeaSoles