The family of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, made up of staff and volunteers, took a moment out of a busy spring to honor some of their own. At the Mediterranean restaurant in Oak Bluffs on Monday afternoon, more than 130 gathered to share in fellowship, to honor those whose hard work has helped the organization through almost 50 years of community work.

They honored Tom Bennett for his 40 years of service and Mary Brissette for her 30. It was a feel-good afternoon that began with service awards being handed, one after another, to those who had served for five years, and then to those who had served for many more.

Wiet Bacheller, president of community services’ board, put it this way: “You all get the gold medal for all your hours of service, your generosity and your talent. Without your talent, I don’t think our next year, the 50th year, would be quite possible.”

The last person to receive the award, in an hour of ceremony, was the first person in service. Tom Bennett had begun in 1970, fresh from a stint overseas. He coordinated summer projects, helping the young. He went on to become the director of the youth center, for years ran the Island Counseling Center, and is today an associate executive director and senior clinical adviser.

Mr. Bennett said that in his family they often share famous quotes. “My son Teddy quotes from Theodore Roosevelt: ‘Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is a chance to work hard, and have work worth doing.’

“I have been blessed to be doing that,” Mr. Bennett said.

In introducing Mr. Bennett, Susan Wasserman, former board president, said of the honoree: “He doesn’t like to talk about himself. Tom praises his mentors, his coworkers and board members. We are here to celebrate his 40 years for the community, the incredible difference he has made for his friends, his neighbors and for all the people we serve.”

Sterling Bishop, the development assistant, joined in the praises for Mr. Bennett and announced that a Viet Nam memorial statue that had been created years ago by Barney Zeitz, a friend of Mr. Bennett, would be placed on the community services property in Mr. Bennett’s honor.

Mr. Bishop reported Mr. Bennett loved the statue. “Our plan, with Tom’s input, is to have the statue mounted and set on the grounds of community services,” Mr. Bishop said. The crowd applauded.

Ms. Brissette received her service award from Debbie Milne, the Early Childhood Center program director. Ms. Milne drew laughter when she said how often the business at the center went on in close connection with the words, “Mary said.”

Ms. Milne said Ms. Brissette preferred very little to be said about her service award, and she obliged.

Ms. Brissette has been the Head Start education family services coordinator for 19 years. She started 30 years ago at community services as a field worker, visiting small day care programs run in homes across the Island. Today, she oversees the program that gives assistance to at least 42 children three to five years old. She told the Gazette: “I don’t feel like I do anything on my own. This is a part of a team. I am so happy to step up on stage, but I think everybody should be on stage. We all work very hard, and you put it all together and it works. I am very proud of working these many years.”

Both Ms. Brissette and Mr. Bennett received citations from the state house and beyond, from state senator Timothy Madden to U.S. senator John Kerry. The citations were read and passed to the recipients by Virginia Nelligan (Nell) Coogan, state legislative liaison.

A total of 17 staff and volunteers received service awards. Some associated with the Possible Dreams auction were recipients. Jim Shane, an active behind-the-scenes volunteer, was given an unsung hero award. Past auctioneers Susan Klein and Rick Lee also were honored.

Senior citizens Elsie Baer and June Lakso, who work at the community services thrift shop, received awards.

It was also an opportunity to recognize retiring Jane Cleare, a psychologist and counselor, who at 80 years of age had served the agency since 1997.

Other unsung hero recipients included Eve Gates and Lee Scott. Those who had served the agency for years included; Steve Trieschmann, 15 years; Mary Jean Connelly for 10 years; and Sue Collinson, Janis Syslo, Eleanor Morad, Nancy Canha and Jean Crocker for five years.