Shawn Hopkinson: Irene Relief Work Earns Presidential Award

resident Shawn Hopkinson will receive a President’s Volunteer Service Award for his efforts to help those along the shoreline recover after Tropical Storm Irene, according to a report in the New Haven Register.

“It started out with some water and an idea. It turned out to be a lot more than I even thought I was capable of,” Hopkinson told The Register's Susan Misur.

People Helping People, the nonprofit organization Hopkinson founded, will also receive a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The award hands out a lapel pin, certificate and letter from President Barack Obama to each honoree.

Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr is expected to present both awards next month. Also, the pin awarded to People Helping People will be donated to the , Hopkinson told The Register.