James Glover II / Star staff James Weblemoe, 90, who donates his time to HELP of Ojai at the Ojai Honor Farm, is going to be honored in Washington, D.C., for his work.

Ask him how he feels about receiving a prestigious award in Washington, D.C., this week and Jim Weblemoe answers quickly, saying he hopes the recognition will boost HELP of Ojai, a nonprofit agency that helps the needy.

"They're a wonderful organization," Weblemoe said Tuesday while helping out at the agency's new offices at the former Ojai Honor Farm detention facility.

Those who work alongside the 90-year-old Ojai man said such a selfless response is typical of Weblemoe, who is always looking to help others.

"Jim has done a lot for us," said Kathleen Tarrats, director of the agency's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

Weblemoe built carpentry and welding shops at the Baldwin Road facility. He's also made picnic tables, installed locks, repaired buildings, fixed trailers "and whatever else needs to be done," he said.

Weblemoe is one of 25 people being honored today in Washington by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the MetLife Foundation. They are receiving Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards, a program that honors the contributions of older volunteers and promotes volunteering among the elderly.

Born in 1918 in Iowa to a large family, Weblemoe came of age during the Great Depression. He learned early the value of repairing things.

"People didn't have much back then, so it paid to fix things," said Weblemoe, who grew up in a family with four other children.

Weblemoe eventually became a college physics instructor. He later worked for the U.S. Navy, developing telemetry for various missile systems, including some at the Naval Air Weapons Station at Point Mugu.

All the while, Weblemoe never forgot the lessons he'd learned as a young man: the importance of thrift and of helping others.

Weblemoe volunteered with HELP of Ojai after retiring. But he stopped after his wife of 68 years became ill. After her death in 2006, he was ready to resume helping the agency. "It's given me something useful to do," he said.

Mary Burgger Murphy, who works for the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, said Weblemoe typifies the spirit of the award recipients.

"The people we honor just do amazing things," Burgger Murphy said. "They make enormous contributions to their communities. To a person, they are very humble and so surprised to be honored."

Now in its 40th year, HELP of Ojai depends on 850 volunteers to carry out a variety of services, including taking meals to the elderly at home.

It provides services to about 9,000 people a year, or roughly one out of every four residents in the Ojai Valley. In addition to programs for seniors, the agency runs a thrift store, volunteer security patrol and respite program.