West Tisbury resident Michael Colaneri will receive this year’s Spirit of the Vineyard Award for his many years of service to the Island community.

Vineyard Village At Home announced the winner week. The award is given to a person who has volunteered on the Island and whose work has made a difference to the community.

Polly Brown, who helped create the award 26 years ago, said it was inspired by Charles Simberg, a former member of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Board. He had given out a similar award in New Jersey and wanted to honor volunteers on the Island as well.

“We just thought that there are a lot of nonprofits on this Island and we all rely on volunteers, so we needed to do something to recognize how important they are to our success on the Vineyard,” said Ms. Brown.

Mr. Colaneri, a long time Island resident, was chosen to receive the award by a committee of previous award winners. Throughout Mr. Colaneri’s life, he has served the Island community in both personal and professional capacities, Ms. Brown said. He was a volunteer member of the West Tisbury Fire Department for over two decades and a regular helper at the “Dumptique,” a unique free thrift shop located in a small shack at the West Tisbury transfer station.

Mr. Colaneri has also been an active member of local government. He served on the West Tisbury shellfish committee, the town’s affordable housing committee, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and the school committee. He is currently the chairman of West Tisbury’s board of assessors.

A reception will be held on June 27 at 5 p.m. at the Portuguese-American Club to honor the Spirit of the Vineyard Award recipient.