DECATUR - The Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations gathered to honor those who have worked for their communities at the 2008 Gold Medal Volunteers awards Tuesday.

CONO President Sue Neisslie and city Councilman Dan Caulkins presented the awards at a dinner at St. Thomas Church.

Neisslie said the awards are to recognize people who volunteer their time and effort to better the community. Neighborhood organizations from all over the city gathered to recognize some of their hardest-working volunteers.

"(These awards are) to show appreciation to all the hard workers and to give them a little extra boost to keep on," Neisslie said. "There are so many people that put so many hours of volunteer work in."

Caulkins said he attends every year to keep in touch with the various neighborhood groups.

"The neighborhoods have become more active, more involved, more organized, and it's a great way to meet and talk to people and listen to what they have to say and be more responsive to their needs," Caulkins said. "I can learn some things tonight."

Decatur police Chief James A. Anderson attended the ceremony to receive an award from CONO. Anderson said the police have been making more efforts to get in touch with neighborhood organizations.

"I think our commitment to the neighborhoods has been going on a long time, and it's really deepened in the last few years since I became chief. We wanted to connect more with them, and we've done that," Anderson said.

Gwen Muex received an award from the Old King's Orchard neighborhood organization.

"I feel like a lot of people have done a lot more than I have," Muex said. "I do appreciate them acknowledging what I do, and having an award just adds on to it."

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