The James Weldon Johnson Library in St. Petersburg, Fla. was really just a large reading room surrounded by rundown shacks and crack houses when UPS Driver Ernie Coney came to its rescue 20 years ago.

Determined to keep the city from closing the library, Coney, a Teamster with Tampa’s Local 79, and a few others went around to the community to collect petitions to keep it open. They told city officials how important the library was to the community and if it was kept open, he would help make it better.

The city kept it open and that’s when the hard work started. Coney was one of the founding members of the Friends of the James Weldon Johnson Library. Today, the library has a computer room, a children’s reading room, and is always full.

“It has become the jewel of the neighborhood, and for that I’m grateful,” Coney said.

For his efforts, Coney was honored in February by UPS with its James E. Casey Community Service Award. And in April, Coney was one of the winners of the President’s Volunteer Service Award by a committee appointed by President Obama.

“Giving back to the community is how I was raised,” Coney said. “Driving around in my truck you get to see the community and where the needs are. I’m glad to have helped save the library.”