Macon man receives national volunteer award

Keep America Beautiful has named Macon's Frank Austin with its top volunteer honor.

Austin, the coordinator of the Macon-Bibb County Shalom Zones, is the recipient of the 2016 Iron Eyes Cody Award, according to a news release.

The award is given to someone demonstrating leadership in raising public awareness about litter prevention, roadside and community beautification, solid waste issues and the need for citizens to participate in activities that preserve and enhance natural resources, the release said.

Austin also heads the nonprofit Austin Smith Center for Community Development.

In 2012, he won the Keep Georgia Beautiful State Litter Prevention Award and Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Award. In 2014, Macon's mayor declared Dec. 9 as Austin Smith Center Development Day.

Last year, Austin was chosen to serve on the mayor's blight task force and received first place in Georgia for litter prevention. He has taken the lead in 64 litter prevention activities and spearheaded seven community cleanups, the release said.

This story was originally published February 1, 2016 at 5:59 PM with the headline "Macon man receives national volunteer award ."