Way to go! Joseph Piché, Manorville

Joseph Piché, a sophomore at Eastport-South Manor High School in Manorville, has been named 2010 Volunteer of the Year by the Peconic Community Council in Riverhead.

Since 2004 Piché has contributed more than 155 hours of community service to the council via its Maureen's Haven outreach program and by assisting at various fundraising events.

He was honored at the program's annual winery event at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead on Nov. 5.

"My mom loves to do community service and taught me that helping others is better than helping yourself," said Piché, 15. He said the award "means a lot to me, and I'm very grateful."

Piché said most of his volunteer work involved setting up beds, packing bagged lunches and cleaning dishes over the past six years for Maureen's Haven at local churches that open their doors to the homeless community. He also assisted with fundraisers for the council, including a cocktail party, yard sale and art auction.

He has also served as an altar boy for six years at Immaculate Conception Parish in Westhampton and helped collect 400 pairs of sandals for children in Indonesia through a religion class at the church.