"It is all the small things that Rick does that go unrecognized that (this person) feels he deserves this award."

 

"Rick Walton has been the sole owner of Walton's Auto Service for 22 years, providing quality auto service and repair to the community and surrounding areas. He started as a small one-man operation and has grown to now employ 9 people, and he still works himself. In addition to auto service and repair, he offers U-Haul and self-storage rentals. He is continually growing and expanding the business to provide better service to the community."

 

CHARITABLE WORK: "Rick donates to every benefit for individuals in this community and the surrounding communities. He also consistently donates to the Elks Lodge for the Veterans’ Dinner, Senior Dinner, and a complete Thanksgiving dinner to be raffled. He consistently donates to local organizations such as the Elks Lodge, the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Walk, local fire departments, and departments from surrounding communities; so much so that he received recognition from the Oxbow Fire Department for his generosity."

 

GENEROSITY: "He has consistently donated/paid for U-Haul trailers for local food pantries to pick up donated food items (he also received recognition for that). He donates to and/or sponsors car shows, bands, and fishing derbies both in Gouverneur and the surrounding communities. He has sponsored and paid for bands to play at the Gouverneur Fair, sponsored drivers for the demolition derbies, sponsored drivers for local races and races in surrounding communities, encouraging participation in such activities. He donates to anything and everything for local (Gouverneur & surrounding districts) school activities and sports."

 

PAYING-IT-FORWARD: "Rick has students every school year who intern through BOCES, offering the opportunity for hands-on learning. He also welcomes the students in the Life Skills class each school year; these students are given the opportunity to function as part of the team here. They come with their teacher for a few hours each day and do tasks that suit their ability. They are welcomed and freely interact with staff and customers as though they are actually employed here."

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COMMUNITY SPIRIT: "Rick has a heart bigger than he is. He never hesitates to help someone in need whether its donating to a cause or simply tearing up a bill for someone that he knows is struggling financially. The generosity and kindness that he has shown in this community and in the surrounding communities for the past 22 years and continues to show is immeasurable. So much of what he does is done quietly, he doesn't look for recognition, he just does it out of the kindness of his heart and for that he deserves this recognition."