“The first tournament, I made about $2,700. The next one was about $4,000. The last one was about $12,000,” Strydom said, pointing out that generous donations from two individuals helped boost the tournament’s value.

One of those donations came from an individual who enjoyed a five-course meal prepared by Strydom that was included in the auction that is part of the tournament.

“She said it was a good meal and then came back and handed me a check for $2,000,” Strydom said. “I don’t expect that to happen again.”

As a 3M retiree, Strydom has been able to channel $200 from 3M to the local food pantry on a yearly basis. That has allowed the company to keep track of his community mindedness.

“Then 3M sent out a note saying I could be nominated for volunteer of the year and I left that (letter) with the board,” Strydom said. “Diane Jeska submitted a letter of recommendation telling them what I do, and I was surprised about a month ago to get a call saying that I was one of 10 people to get the award.”

Although Strydom’s volunteerism is well known to 3M, Alaska and Homer aren’t.

“They were going to send someone from 3M to deliver (the award) to me. Then they realized they had no 3M people in Alaska and so it would be a little expensive,” Strydom said, laughing. “They mailed it to me.”

When it came to deciding who would receive the $1,000, Strydom didn’t have to think long.

“There is no greater need in this town than to feed the poor, the homeless and the disabled. Without the food pantry, life must be terribly miserable. I can’t imagine going to bed hungry. I’m talking about hunger for days. That’s an awful thing,” Strydom said, recalling a moment of clarity for him at the pantry. “I saw a young person some in for food and wondered what they were doing there. And then I realized the coin has two sides and I only see one. There is no room for judgments.”

Strydom’s commitment to the pantry runs deeper than helping distribute food baskets and coordinating the golf tournament. He uses produce from his garden to support the pantry’s efforts by giving it to people that support the pantry and the golf tournament.

Still, he is careful to point out that the success of the Homer Community Food Pantry is because of the commitment of many.

“When I got this award, I told the food pantry that it does not belong to me. It belongs to the board members, all the good merchants and the citizens of this town because it was through them that I got the award. I am just an instrument. I want to make that plain,” he said. “I didn’t do this. They did. I was the instigator, but they helped me out.”

Diane Jeska, president of the pantry’s board of directors, turned the spotlight back on Strydom.

“We’re sure proud of him. He’s such a sweetheart,” she said. “He really deserves this.”

Since 1987, more than 300 3M employees and retirees have received the Community Volunteer Award.

“Each year, our employees and retirees donate many thousands of hours to making their communities better. We salute 3M volunteers for having achieved a balance between their personal goals for sucess with what they can do for others,” said Alex Cirillo, staff vice president, Community Affairs. “We are proud ot recognize our most outstanding volunteers with the 3M Community Volunteer Award.”