Jean Tatelbaum is this year’s recipient of the Spirit of the Vineyard award. The award is sponsored by Vineyard Village at Home, an organization that provides transportation to seniors on the Island.

Ms. Tatelbaum is one of the drivers for the nonprofit and also volunteers with many other nonprofit organizations on the Island.

The annual award, which has been going for 28 years, is given each year to a Vineyarder who dedicates time and effort to giving back to the community. Susie Wallo and Kerry Alley, both previous recipients of the award, said Ms. Tatelbaum perfectly embodies the Spirit of the Vineyard award.

“She takes the time with people.... She takes the time to make sure they get in and out of the house okay,” Ms. Wallo said. “She gets their groceries, she gets the mail, she really goes above and beyond.”

In addition to volunteering with Vineyard Village at Home, Ms. Tatelbaum delivers food throughout the year for both the Family to Family program at Island Grown Initiative and food for the Edgartown Council on Aging. She also volunteers at the Food Pantry, and sponsors a child each year for the Red Stocking Fund.

Mr. Alley said the award is a way to give people, like Ms. Tatelbaum, recognition for their tireless support of the community.

“The Island is very fortunate to have a large group of benefactors who are willing and able to financially support all the nonprofits on the Island. We’re eternally grateful for that, but that wouldn’t get translated into meaningful programs unless there was this whole cadre of volunteers who show up day after day, month after month to do the work,” Mr. Alley said.

Ms. Wallo echoed the sentiment.

“These are the people who are under the radar, they don’t get the recognition but they’re willing to give time and effort to do that,” she said. “That’s what we try to honor with the Spirit of the Vineyard, because it truly is just that. It’s the spirit of the Vineyard that has been alive and well for hundreds of years.”

There will be an award presentation on Thursday, July 23, beginning at 5 p.m. at the PA Club in Oak Bluffs. The event is open to the public.