Bud Waugh, an amateur radio operator who contributed more than 2,000 hours to the relief effort after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, was honored Thursday as the recipient of the Wallace Galluzzi Outstanding Volunteer Award.

But Waugh was just one of 20 local adults and three teens honored at the event organized by the Roger Hill Volunteer Center, which is part of United Way of Douglas County. The 23 volunteers were nominated by agencies and others in the community in recognition of the thousands of volunteer hours they have contributed to Lawrence and Douglas County.

One had volunteered for the American Red Cross for 33 years; another was a 21-year volunteer at Headquarters. One couple had a combined 53 years of service delivering meals every week for Lawrence Meals on Wheels.

The volunteers help build low-income housing, operate local homeless shelters, read to those who can’t read for themselves and help senior citizens through the maze of Medicare decisions. They range from high school students to college students to active retirees.

It’s hard to imagine what Douglas County would be like without them. They should be an inspiration to all of us to get involved and spend at least a little time making Lawrence and Douglas County a better place.

Thanks to Thursday’s honorees as well as everyone else who cares enough to share their time and talents as community volunteers.