Mary "Petty" Floyd doesn't volunteer at the Institute for Human Services anymore — she retired last year, after 26 years, promising her daughter that she'll stop driving herself over the Pali.

At 82, she's still helping out in other ways, however: Now, she's among the judges who will pick the 2006 Jefferson Awards for Public Service.

She was one of the first volunteers in the Rev. Claude Du Teil's "peanut-butter ministry," putting together goodie bags of toiletries and later helping make food. She recalls being surprised when she was among those to be honored: "I think the reason they selected me was for my longevity," she said with a laugh.

The Jefferson Awards are sponsored in Hawai'i by The Honolulu Advertiser. This year KGMB-9 becomes the program's first television partner here. The national program was founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Sen. Robert Taft and Sam Beard and is in its 30th year.

Neighbors, family, friends and colleagues may nominate volunteers who are performing outstanding acts of kindness for the good of others and their towns. Judges will review nominations and select five winners, who will join national winners at the Jefferson Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in June.

Other 2005 Jefferson Award winners in Hawai'i: