After years of volunteering around the Vernon community, Alexander Mulder was surprised in his classroom on Friday, Jan. 19.

The 14-year-old Mulder, who is in Grade 9, was given the Junior Good Citizen of the year award, presented by the North Okanagan Optimists club.

Mulder was nominated by city councillor and family friend Teresa Durning, as he has many years of community involvement.

鈥淎lex has many years of community involvement already with fundraising for the coldest night of the year, club involvement at Seaton high school, helping on political campaigns, church involvement, community fire watch and junior Rotary,鈥� said Optimist Kathleen Dubois.

As a part of his award, Mulder was presented with a charitable donation from event sponsor, Kidston Helm Ross Lawyers LLP. He chose to direct the $300 donation to the Upper Room Mission.

The Junior Good Citizen award is a project of the Optimists club, who run with the mission of providing opportunity for youth in the Vernon community.

READ MORE:

READ MORE: