Mark Johnson, who has served the community for decades, will be honored this Saturday.

The Winter Park Fraser Valley Rotary Club has named Johnson as the recipient of its third annual Dr. Michael Muftic Service Above Self Award for 2008. He will be recognized at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Beavers Lodge in Winter Park.

Johnson, 53, was in “awe” when he found out he was selected for the award.

“My jaw hit the desk,” he said. “I’m still a little in shock over the whole deal.”

Volunteering is part of his life, he said.

“I just sort of try to be there without question,” he said. “My best interest is the success of the club ” I just want to help. We live in a great community and Rotary is helping to make it even better.”

Each year the club presents this award to an individual who has made “outstanding” contributions to the Winter Park Fraser Valley community and displays the “Service Above Self” motto of Rotary International.

“(Johnson) is always more than willing to step up,” said Rotary Treasurer Mark Lund. “He’s just a really nice guy. He doesn’t look for any self-promotion.”

He has supported the National Sports Center for the Disabled for more than 20 years. Johnson and Beavers Management Group Inc., where he is president and general manager, have provided sponsorship, food and lodging to the center’s participants and programs.

“I just love working with National Sports Center for the Disabled,” he said. “They’re a terrific group. I sponsor some of their athletes and do a significant amount of work.

“Whatever they need when they come here, we do whatever they want without saying.”

Johnson has served on the board of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and as president of the Rotary Club. He also supports “Shining Stars,” a program for children with cancer.

“I provide the lodge for them,” he said. “It’s a big week (in August) of events. … It’s a very emotional week. It’s very hard on you mentally dealing with some of the events.”

He helps the Lions Club during the “Festival of Trees” as well.

“I provide the facility and the labor to help put it on,” he said. “I want to create a stronger community.”

Johnson is a long-time resident of Grand County. He moved to the area with his wife Janene Johnson in 1983. They have two daughters, Lindsay and Ani, who both graduated from Middle Park High School.

The dinner and program are open to the public. Tickets cost $30 at the door or can be reserved by calling Mark Lund or Will Arduino at Grand Mountain Bank, (970) 887-1221.