Gene Schuh was awarded the Morgan Stanley Heart of Gold Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st Annual WPS Volunteer Awards Thursday morning.

The award is “presented to those whose entire lives have been a model of service and assistance to the community.”

Schuh began his volunteer work with Paul’s Pantry in 1990, shortly after retiring from a career at IBM.

“Before Gene came on board, we were using index cards to register households,” Craig Robbins, Executive Director of Paul’s Pantry told Local 5.

Gene was able to obtain donated computers for the pantry – and also wrote a computer program for the organization, developing databases for clients, volunteers, hours, and donors from scratch.

“I didn’t do much programming at that time,” Gene said, “but working with the programmers themselves, I was able to pick up what is needed. It probably took me a year to put it together, and as the years go by, you add a little bit here and a little bit there.”

29 year later, Gene’s work with the pantry continues. He now comes in three days a week to enter data into the pantry’s spreadsheets.

“We wouldn’t be where we are at today without Gene,” Craig said.

Gene has no plans to leave his work with the pantry any time soon.

“I don’t know what else I would be doing otherwise,” he said. “What does a retired person do? Sit at home? With my health providing, I’ll be here another 10 years. They did throw a party when I hit my 90, and so when I hit 100, I’ll probably have another party.”