Gary Phillips, a retired teacher from Northwestern Lehigh School District, was presented with the 2014-15 outstanding volunteer of the year award by state Rep. Julie Harhart, R-183rd, at the Sept. 14 meeting of Lehigh Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees held at Iron Lakes Country Club, North Whitehall.

Phillips also received a U.S Senate Certificate of Special Recognition from Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, Certificates of Special Recognition from Congressman Charlie Dent, R-15th, state Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th, and Gov. Tom Wolf for his volunteer work throughout the Lehigh Valley.

He also was presented a PASR pin from fellow member Carol Rieder during the special award presentations at the meeting at the Iron Lakes Country Club.

Phillips was a technology teacher at Northwestern Lehigh High School.

In addition to Phillips being honored at the meeting, his sister Barbara Campbell, a retired teacher from the Parkland School District was presented with a NRTA With Our Youth honorary certificate for her volunteer work with youth.

The NRTA With Our Youth is a community outreach and service initiative program sponsored by AARP which provides opportunities for retired educators and youth to work together to address the needs of youth and the broader community, the organization’s website states.