By JACKIE MAJERUS
STAFF WRITER

BRISTOL — The volunteers selected to receive this year’s most prestigious awards from the Bristol Boys and Girls Club all have something in common: they feel a little funny about the fuss being made over them.

“Humbled” is what each of the honorees — Wilma Hart, Bill Englert, Morrie Laviero and John Smith — all said they felt about being selected for the awards, which will be presented Wednesday at the club’s Humanitarian Dinner at the Clarion Hotel.

Humanitarian awards will be given to Hart, Englert and Laviero.  Smith will receive the Oliver Gaudreau Award in honor of Gaudreau, a longtime club member and supporter.

“When you win a humanitarian award, you just feel kind of humble,” Englert said. He doesn’t think he’s doing anything more than he should, though he’s “happy that someone feels” he has contributed.

“I honestly think there’s a lot more deserving people,” Hart said. “I feel so funny accepting it.”

But Hart also said she is “thrilled” and “very honored.”

Laviero, too, said he’s honored, but that he’s not so keen on recognition.

“I don’t like that stuff. I just like to do things and not worry about that stuff. There’s so many good people that they could pick from,” Laviero said. “They’ll never, never run out of names.”

Michael Suchopar, chief professional officer at the club, said the awards are going to dedicated, caring and “unassuming” people who have been making contributions for years without fanfare.

All of them are “truly outstanding people who give in more ways than the community is aware of,” Suchopar said. “They don’t flaunt their giving.”

Smith said Gaudreau was “an outstanding supporter” of the club for years. “The only thing Ollie and I have in common is we’re about the same height,” joked Smith.

But Suchopar said that Smith, like Gaudreau, has been a supporter of the club for decades, offering leadership and dedication to the children served there.

Smith said he is humbled but also “kind of proud” to receive the award in Gaudreau’s name.

Smith serves on the club’s board of directors and is a past president. He said it’s gratifying to see the kinds of changes the club makes in kids’ lives.

The award recipients share an optimism for the club and the community.

Laviero said he’s excited about the club’s new partnership with ESPN and the new building that’s planned on West Street.

“I think once we get this new club, we’re gonna have a home run,” Laviero said, who was the club’s Boy of the Year in 1958.

Suchopar said Hart, a founding member of the Women and Girls Fund at the Main Street Community Foundation,  is involved with the city’s “regifting” program that recycles gift items to needy children so they can give presents to important adults in their lives.

“It really doesn’t cost people a lot of money,” said Hart. She said giving can include time as well as money. “I just believe in giving back.”

She is executive assistant to Thomas Barnes, chairman of Barnes Group, and said she learned to be involved in the community from watching his example.

Englert said Suchopar, offers help individually and through his business, City True Value Hardware.

“Bill is another one who’s been instrumental in many organizations, yet never likes to take the limelight,” Suchopar said. “He’s touched the community for countless years.”

The club is also recognizing the efforts of two neighborhood organizations, the Federal Hill Association and the Forestville Village Association for the work the members have done.

Both organizations have worked to protect and beautify their sections of town and also provide events for the enjoyment of the community.

Suchopar said about 225 people are expected at the dinner, which is being sponsored by ESPN.

Bristol Eastern High School senior Raymond Ortiz, who is the 2009 Youth of the Year, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Anyone who wants to attend, he said, should call the club at (860) 583-4734 and make a reservation. Tickets are $50.