The four men and one woman selected this year for their community contributions have advocated for the homeless, helped alienated students by carving out a farm on a school campus, turned a junkyard into a park, distributed free food to those in need and nurtured the soccer movement in Hawai'i.

Meet this year's community caregivers — the winners of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, which honor ordinary people who do extraordinary things for the community without usual recognition or reward.

Created 34 years ago by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Sen. Robert Taft Jr. and Sam Beard, the award represents the "who's who" of outstanding Americans. One person from Hawai'i will go to Washington in June with others selected in their community. At the national level, five winners will be chosen for their volunteerism.

"It was really, really difficult," said Petty Floyd, a Jefferson Award judge and former winner at the local level who last year went on to the national competition in Washington.

"We were looking for people who were selfless, doing something for the community and humanity without getting any personal gain," said Floyd, who lives in Kailua. "I never expected to be recognized for doing something I just did and enjoyed doing. I believe recognizing volunteers encourages others to think they might be able to make a difference."

In Hawai'i, the Jefferson Awards are sponsored by The Honolulu Advertiser and KGMB-9, the first television partner in the state. The recipients will be recognized at luncheon ceremonies Wednesday at the Pacific Club. During the luncheon, the recipient who will represent the state at the national ceremonies in Washington will be named.

The winners were nominated by friends, neighbors, family or colleagues for their outstanding work for the good of others.

The 2006 Jefferson Award winners in Hawai'i are:

JACK SULLIVAN

Everyone knows Jack Sullivan as "Mr. Soccer" because he is credited for having nurtured the movement for 32 years. Sullivan helped boost the American Youth Soccer Organization in Hawai'i in 1974 and has contributed to the effort that led to the city's building the Waipi'o soccer complex. Throughout the years he was one of AYSO's initial soccer coaches; the Hawai'i Soccer Association vice president, treasurer and bookkeeper; founder of Maryknoll High School's girls soccer program; and co-founder of the University of Hawai'i Wahine Soccer team.

Despite coaching boys and girls, teens and adults — some in youth correctional facilities and others he watched grow into college and professional soccer players — Sullivan is a self-proclaimed nonathlete.

Throughout it all, Sullivan, maintained his deep-rooted faith that the sport is great for everyone and is based on two basic principles: discipline and conditioning.

"That's the same stuff useful in the game of life," said the 72-year-old Sullivan. "In soccer, anyone can play. It doesn't make any difference what age or size you are."

Janice Parrott, a client of Sullivan's bookkeeping business, said she nominated Sullivan because she saw how selfless he has been when it comes to sharing his resources with the community.

"As I got to know him, I heard of his activities and working in the women's prison with soccer. He is so selfless," Parrott said. "I'm very pleased he was chosen. He's a wonderful person who never gets discouraged about anything."

THE REV. BOB NAKATA

The Rev. Bob Nakata has taken on a lot of causes during his 65 years. He fought against the building of H-3 Freeway and youth drug use; he joined the civil rights movement on the Mainland. Today he's a spokesman for the homeless living on streets and at parks and beaches in Hawai'i.

"I was a little surprised when I heard I was selected," said Nakata, who serves as pastor at Kahalu'u United Methodist Church. "I am something of a community activist and I may soon become a thorn in the mayor's side over this Ala Moana Beach Park closure issue."

Nakata, who was a one-term state senator and a two-term representative, said he opposed H-3 because he wanted to preserve the Windward side's rural atmosphere. Later he became the force behind the Kokua Kalihi Valley late-night basketball league to help keep kids out of gangs. But it's work as a homeless advocate that has kept him moving forward, he said.

"I'm a solutions kind of person," Nakata said. "But I need a lot of help. There are a lot more people getting involved now. We just need to get the message through that the homeless need help. The homeless are being taken advantage of by the criminals. We need affordable housing and support for the homeless."

Sen. Russell Kokubun, D-2nd (S. Hilo, Puna, Ka'u), said he nominated Nakata because he has been consistent in his support of the people who have the least.

"Bob does so much for the people who need so much," Kokubun said. "That's the way I've always known him, and this award is a good way to recognize his work."

BASILIO FUERTES

Basilio Fuertes, 64, is a retired teacher who just can't get enough of Waimea High School. It was his work with young people in the school's alienated-student program that was especially inspiring to him. Through his tireless efforts, Fuertes showed the students how to turn their anger and resentment into a field of vegetables and flowering plants on vacant land at the Kaua'i campus.

"These kids learned the value of their efforts with the vegetables we planted," said Fuertes. "They learned about planting and using the land and about themselves. They learned to be useful."

The modest Fuertes doesn't want to take all the credit, constantly deflecting it to his family and the team of volunteers at the school and in the community.

"He epitomizes the true essence of this distinguished award," said Rep. Bertha Kawakami, D-16th (Po'ipu, Waimea, Ni'ihau). "His years of exceptional selfless community service stand as a testament to his tireless dedication without regard for recognition or compensation."

FRED BLAS

Fred Blas saw what he called a drug dealer hangout and turned it into a beachside park for the community to take pride in Hawaiian beaches. The Puna District resident also has helped countless students stay dry with the construction of five bus stop shelters around the community.

"It all came from my heart," said Blas, who recently moved to the Big Island community where his parents are from. "I've always liked a challenge."

Now the park has a name, Kahakai Beach Park, and it has picnic tables, well-maintained trees and mowed grass. The men and women who stepped up to help Blas carve out the park also have formed a team called the Kahakai Action Team, which goes around the Puna district looking for community projects.

The 55-year-old Blas plans to continue his efforts.

It was Hawai'i County Mayor Harry Kim who nominated Blas. "We as a community are so lucky to have Fred," Kim said. "When I see people like him, it reminds me how lucky we are to live in a place like Hawai'i with so many good people."

NICKIE HINES

Nickie Hines knows how to feed an army and she's been doing it since 1984. Each week she serves 160 to 200 dinners from her church in Waimanalo, St. Matthew's.

"If you need food, call me," said the 78-year-old Hines. "Many people are homeless because they don't have a choice, they can't afford to rent or because of drugs. I don't discriminate. If you're hungry, I'll do my best to get you something to eat, even if I have to take it out of my own cupboards."

Auntie Nickie, as she is known in the community, goes to the beach parks with food and she leaves used clothing on the pews for the taking.

"I'm not alone out there," Hines said. "There are a lot of other people who help and do things like I do and they're just as deserving of recognition."

Rep. Tommy Waters, D-51st (Waimanalo, Lanikai), said he nominated Hines because of her generous spirit and continual community work in Waimanalo and with the Kokua Food Basket.

"She's a special person in our community," Waters said. "When people are hungry, she finds them food. When they need clothes, she finds them some. When they're homeless, she tries to find them places to live. She's a great person and works hard for our community."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.