John “Jack” E. Harhart was accorded the Borough of Northampton’s coveted Golden Cement Bag award in recognition of his decades of service as a volunteer in community programs.

Harhart, 72, was the recipient of the prestigious honor at an annual dinner meeting/banquet, held last month at Northampton Banquet & Event Center, 1601 Laubach Ave.

The program, which recognizes persons for their unselfish service to the community, was initiated in 2001 by Northampton Borough Council and has since added the names of individuals to the honor roll annually.

Harhart said he was humbled to receive the award at the event, which was attended by about 175 guests.

Among Harhart’s accomplishments is a decades-long membership in the borough Exchange Club, in which he has also served as a past president. He co-chaired the Jack Frost Parade during his tenure and helped with the Adopt a Highway cleanup program and the club’s child abuse prevention projects.

A member of the Northampton branch of Knights of Columbus, Harhart also helped coordinate various programs with the borough-based Catholic War Veterans Post 454. He sold poppies to benefit veterans who served in conflict and peace.

Harhart served with the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War and is the recipient of the Purple Heart medal.

During his years as owner and operator of Harhart’s Service Station, Northampton, Harhart has been known to have also made roadside calls, in all sorts of weather, at no charge to the driver.