In March of 2008, Gary was awarded the "Volunteer of the Month" by the Poudre School District Board of Directors. Gary's award was associated with his volunteer efforts on fieldtrips with the Polaris School, one of which Gary wrote about in this Coloradoan Outdoor Section article: "Polaris Students Feel 'Invincible' After Trip to Sonoran Desert." Polaris Principal, Joe Gawronski (right), introduced Gary.