While the holiday season is known as a time for giving, some people give back to the community all year round, and the Board of Selectmen's “Spirit of Christmas” awards honor those who do so.

Every year, the chair of the Board of Selectmen recognizes individuals and organizations that have made meaningful contributions to the town.

“There are so many outstanding groups in Wareham, and when the bell rings, they're there to answer the call,” said Selectmen Chair Steve Holmes.

One of the Wareham residents presented with an award was Shannon Maxim, who founded Hailey’s Helping Hands. The organization is named for her daughter who succumbed to leukemia in 2011. It provides grieving parents with the opportunity to take time off from work or money to pay some bills, or parents of a gravely ill child the opportunity to take a trip with the child.

Selectman Cara Winslow choked up as she presented the award to Maxim saying that the organization “offers support in a time when many families feel alone and helpless.”

Also honored was Target, for “giving back to the community” and sponsoring the National Night Out event last summer. Target employees Lisa D’Acci and Angela King were on hand to accept the award.

Priscilla Porter, chair of the Spinney Memorial Library board, was recognized “for your efforts with the Friends [of the Wareham Free Library] to rebuild and restore the Spinney Memorial Library,” said Holmes.

The board was formed by the Friends of the Wareham Free Library, which raised money to acquire and renovate the building.

Honored in absentia was Joe Sauro, owner of the Gateway Tavern, who donated the $7,000 proceeds of the restaurant's charity golf tournament to the Wareham High School Library's multi-media center.

Wareham resident (and noted kayaker) Richard Wheeler was also honored at the ceremony for his commitment to education and the environment. Last summer, Wheeler kayaked 281 miles along the coastline of Buzzards Bay to mark the 25^th anniversary of the Buzzards Bay Coalition, which works to protect and restore the bay.  He has also worked with the Boys & Girls Club to teach kids about clean water.

Local business owners Stephen Beranger and Tom Strom were also recognized for their charitable contributions to the community.

Beranger owns Stevie B’s Sport Resort in Onset, which has hosted a number of fundraisers, including a “Las Vegas night” to raise money for the Onset Blues Festival. It also hosted “Jacob’s Poker Run and Benefit,” which raised money for a young boy with cancer.

Strom is the owner of Kool Kone, which recently raised $25,000 for the family of 20-year-old Jordan Lopes, who died in a car accident on Nov. 17. Lopes had worked at the restaurant since the age of 14.

“I just want to thank all the residents of Wareham for the support they gave Jordan’s family,” said Strom.

The Box 5 Association was honored for its fundraising efforts. The organization recently held its “Cold for a Cause” event, during which it collected food and gathered toys for local families in need. Michael Sanborn and Ed Doucette of Box 5 collected the award.