Dwight Yassany and Mayor Brandt Andersson Photo Cathy Tyson

When not at his job as a Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator for East Bay Municipal Utility District, Dwight Yassany supports a wide range of good causes without any fanfare, including Water For People, the Food Bank, the Oakland Zoo, World Vision, the Lindsay Wildlife Museum and Girls, Inc.

Yassany recently received an award from the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, signed by Barack Obama and presented by Mayor Brandt Andersson. "This is a big surprise," said Yassany. "I just like to help any way I can." He learned by example - his parents taught him that if you are able to give back, then you should.

The humble and slightly nervous Yassany said, "I feel I don't deserve it - others do just as much or more than I do." He's diligently spends countless hours working on very detailed large scale pen and ink drawings, then donates them to non-profits to be used as they see fit.

The award reads, "In recognition and appreciation of your commitment to strengthening our nation and for making a difference through volunteer service." Yassany lives in Lafayette and can be reached at dyassany@comcast.net.