Longtime Audio-Reader volunteer Chuck Fisher is pictured in this Journal-World file photo from 2012.

The Kansas Audio-Reader Network honored its second longest-serving volunteer, along with many others, Thursday during the organization’s annual banquet.

Chuck Fisher was honored for 40 years as an Audio-Reader volunteer. Fisher is only the second volunteer in Audio-Reader history to be honored for 40 years of service, said Jen Nigro, volunteer coordinator for Audio-Reader.

“Chuck’s dedication is incredibly unique to come in and give your time to the same organization year after year, and to be so obviously invested in what he’s doing,” Nigro said. “You can tell that he really has our listeners at the heart of what he does.”

The only person who’s volunteered longer than Fisher is Eleanor Symons, who has volunteered since Audio-Reader began 43 years ago, Nigro said.

Fisher was one of a total of 54 Audio-Reader volunteers honored as they reached five-year milestones with the organization.

In addition to Fisher, these individuals were honored for 25 years or more of volunteering with Audio-Reader: Jan Shumway for 35 years; Frank Day, Donna Riehm and Harold Riehm for 30 years; and Ann Blackhurst, Janis Hutchison and Steve Smith for 25 years.

The Kansas Audio-Reader Network at Kansas University is a reading and information service for blind, visually impaired and print disabled individuals in Kansas and western Missouri.

Volunteers read daily newspapers, magazines and best-selling books on the air and online, and offer automated newspaper readings by telephone free to listeners unable to read normal printed material.