Leah Sample has won the 2014 Boothbay Harbor Spirit of American volunteer award.

The Spirit of America Foundation is a public charity that awards local volunteers and public organizations for community service. The awards are most often awarded by the board of selectmen, and are given at no cost to the town. The Boothbay Harbor selectmen presented Sample with her award at their July 14 meeting.

“Annually we grant the Spirit of America award to a local resident whose commitment to volunteerism most exemplifies the positive leadership qualities of a volunteer who cares greatly for the residents of this town," Board Chairman Denise Griffin said. "Frequently this award goes to an individual who has been popular or in the news. This year, we are granting the award to someone who has quietly, persistently and consistently worked behind the scenes to improve the quality of life and well being for many local residents."

Sample born in 1923 in Hancock County, and has lived in Boothbay Harbor since 1956. She currently lives at St. Andrews Village. She came to the meeting, along with many of her friends from St. Andrews Village, because she knew an award was to be given, but had no idea until the annoucenment that it was being awarded to her.

Her love of books and reading led her to operating a bookstore in town soon after she moved here, and becoming an active volunteer with the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. She often read books aloud to children at Boothbay Region Elementary School.

“Kids come up to her now who are 25, 30 and say, ‘You used to read to us’,” Leah's daughter Debbie Sample said. “They remember her.”

Leah Sample has volunteered with the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church, been a scout leader for both the Girl and Boy Scouts, was president of the garden club, and is a member of the hospital auxiliary and St. Andrews advisory board.

Sample also co-founded and helped build the Meals on Wheels program in the early 1970s, which still continues today by cooking and delivering meals to the infirm, shut-ins, and the elderly.

“Leah has been a quiet, unsung hero for almost 60 years, extremely dedicated to her family, friends, and community,” Griffin said. “She has worked tirelessly behind the scenes making a truly significant, positive impact on Boothbay Harbor and way beyond.”

“I was totally shocked and wonderfully pleased,” Sample said. “I have enjoyed everything I have done and there's nothing about it I wouldn't have done all over again.”

Sample is celebrating her 92nd birthday on Saturday, July 19.

“I can't think of anyone more deserving of this,” said Sarah Sample, Leah Sample's daughter-in-law.