Polly Brown of Tisbury, a founder of the Spirit of the Vineyard Award, was herself honored with that award Saturday morning by her colleagues at Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.

Hospice established the award a decade ago to honor volunteers who have given their time, talent and energy to a wide range of Vineyard charities over a long period of time.

More than 40 of her friends, including her brother, Daniel Putnam Brown Jr., gathered for a morning social and speeches at the Howes House in West Tisbury. The gathering was festive and the praise high.

Atty. Ronald H. Rappaport saluted Island volunteers as the backbone of this community and an indispensable force that makes the Vineyard the special place it is.