Islander Brian Athearn will receive the Spirit of the Vineyard Award this year, Vineyard Village At Home announced this week.

The award is given annually to a person who has served for one or more nonprofit organizations on the Island, and whose work has made a difference to individuals and the community as a whole.

Mr. Athearn is president of the Agricultural Society, and fittingly the award ceremony will take place at the Agricultural Fair, on Sunday, August 22 at 10 a.m.

As society president, Mr. Athearn has been instrumental in re-establishing the 4H group, as well as facilitating a venison donation program which to date has provided over 500 pounds of meat to the Island Food Pantry. He has also served on numerous Island boards including the West Tisbury finance committee, the town veterans committee, cemetery commission and the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby committee.

Born and raised on the Island, Mr. Athearn lives in West Tisbury on Runamok farm with his wife, two sons, numerous chickens, pigs and sheep. He is also the owner/operator of MV Tech, and has donated computer equipment and his technological expertise to many Island nonprofits.