HAMPDEN – The Daily Points of Light Award shone on Gary Page of Old Town, volunteer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Maine in the Hampden outreach office last week.

The Points of Light Foundation named Page as one of its Daily Points of Light, recognizing him as a person who exemplifies volunteerism, a vital goal of President George W. Bush’s Summit for America’s future.

The Points of Light Foundation sees disconnection as the root of social problems. Specifically, “… disconnection from resources, disconnection from people and, ultimately, disconnection from hope. Volunteering connects Americans through service to the fundamental resources needed to lead productive lives.”

The Daily Points of Light program dates back to George H.W. Bush, who initiated the Points of Light movement as a way of solving some of America’s most serious social problems. The Daily Points of Light Awards program was reinstated in 1998. With the combined support of former President Bush and the current President George W. Bush, the Daily Points of Light are awarded to deserving Americans who find innovative ways to meet community needs.

Gary Page of Old Town has been volunteering 25 hours a week for more than five years at the Hampden office of the National MS Society’s Maine Chapter. He also was recognized in April by Gov. John Baldacci, who gave Page a Governor’s Service Award, placing him on the state Roll of Honor for providing 500 or more hours of community service.

Page, who uses a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy, assists the MS Society, three Retired Senior Volunteer Program stations, Cole Land Transportation Museum and the Fields Pond Nature Audubon Center.

Page utilizes his professional skills and is known as the “go-to-guy” for advocacy and employment issues. He has served the community more than 1,200 hours since joining RSVP in 2004. Page has been described as a super-volunteer, one without whom the MS Hampden Outreach Office could not function. He assists with fund-raising, education, advocacy and other activities that drive and strengthen the organization’s ability to serve those in the six counties who have MS.

Maine has a per capita prevalence rate of multiple sclerosis that is 70 percent higher than the nation as a whole. Approximately 3,000 Maine residents, or a rate of about one in 400, have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or more severe and may include paralysis or loss of vision. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with women more heavily impacted than men. The unpredictable physical and emotional effects can last a lifetime and have an impact on the entire family. Research advances continue to offer hope to those affected by the disease.

For information, call the Hampden Outreach office at 942-8352.