He has volunteered for more than 40 years, and gives selflessly to all causes he holds dear.

It should come as no surprise, then, that Nick Hawkey recently received the Distinguished Citizen Award.

Hawkey, a retired corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, recently received the distinction from the Bethlehem Detachment Marine Corps League during the 43rd Annual Mess Night.

“I was totally honored,” Hawkey said. “I was thrilled with the fact that I knew a lot of the people that had won it over the years.”

Hawkey, of Kunkletown, said he also received calls from others who couldn’t be in attendance who offered congratulatory remarks.

“It humbles you,” he said.

Hawkey has a distinguished career, and his decades of volunteering read like a who’s who list.

He joined the Marine Corps in December 1955, and he served in active duty from September 1956 to September 1958, where he attained the rank of corporal, MOS 6212 — jet mechanic.

Hawkey was a lab technician for Bell Labs; a production engineer for Weller Electric; and operated Hawkey’s Motorcycle Shop for 45 years.

He has been a member of the Bethlehem Detachment since 1977, and he served as Bethlehem Detachment Commandant from 1981-84.

Hawkey has served with Toys for Tots in Bethlehem and Allentown since 1977, Schuylkill Carbon County for eight years, and was volunteer of the year in 2000.

He was an assistant scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America for 20 years, and has been with Dream Come True for 30 years.

In 1986, Hawkey was recognized as the National Marine of the Year, as well as the Department Marine of the Year.

He was honored as a Carbon County Hero in 2015; won the American Cancer Society Courage Award in 2014; won the Palmerton Lions Volunteer of the Year Award in 2002; and was the Lions Club Lion of the Year — 2012, Melvin Jones Fellow Award.

Hawkey has been married to his wife, Mildred, for over 58 years, and is a father, grandfather and uncle.