Jack Borgmeyer is trying to keep the torch lit, hoping it will ignite a spirit of volunteerism among young people.

A generation of community leaders worked to improve the quality of living in St. Charles County, creating a network of robust charities and civic organizations. But as they grow older, many of those leaders are dying or scaling back their activities.

Borgmeyer, 32, is a second-generation volunteer. His father, Dan Borgmeyer, has been helping charities since the 1970s. Jack said he has "big shoes to fill," but feels a responsibility to meet the challenge.

"It is time for our generation to step up and do what they can to make sure the organizations in this community can keep going," he said. "You don't have to have money. You just have to pick up a hammer, lend a hand, do what you can."

Jack Borgmeyer will be the first person named Community Volunteer of the Year by Community Living, an organization that helps people with disabilities live independently. Borgmeyer is scheduled to receive the award during the organization's 12th annual Legacy Ball fundraising dinner scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at Old Hickory Golf Club, 1 Dye Club Drive in St. Peters.

Community Living will bestow its annual Legacy Award to Denise Liebel, president and chief executive officer of United Services, an organization that provides educational services for children of different abilities.

Christine Rutherford, director of development for Community Living, said the Legacy Award honors a lifetime or career of community service. But the organization wanted a way to recognize younger volunteers, she said. So this year it is introducing the Community Volunteer of the Year award.

"Jack does so much for the community," Rutherford said. "He has a young family and owns his own business but still dedicates hundreds of hours annually to serve on boards, host events and raise money for children's organizations."

Community Living provides residential and respite services for people with disabilities, including recreational programs and employment services. It assists more than 800 people annually, most in St. Charles County.

Borgmeyer and two partners co-own the Grappa Grill restaurant in St. Charles. He lives in St. Peters with his wife and two children. The couple is expecting a third child in May.

He serves on several charity boards, including Community Living's advisory board. His father used to host the Legacy Ball, but Jack took over the emcee mic in 2006.

In 2010, Borgmeyer co-founded Goodfellas, an organization that raises funds for charities that are too small to effectively raise money on their own. So far, Goodfellas has focused on children's charities like Missouri KIDS, which assists injured and disabled youth. In 2011, Goodfellas raised $30,000 total.

"At my age, I don't have the financial means to personally write someone a $1,000 check," Borgmeyer said. "But through my time and networking, I can raise that money to support these organizations."

To be an effective fundraiser, one does not have to be the 'smartest person in the room," he said. "You just need to surround yourself with people who can get the job done, people who are not afraid to pick up the phone and hear the word 'no.' Because in this economy, you hear a lot of 'no.'"

Liebel, 52, lives in St. Charles with her husband. They have a daughter, a married son and a grandson. Liebel taught middle school before becoming director of operations for North East Community Action Corporation in 1998. She left in 2004 to take over as executive director of the Community Council of St. Charles County. She stepped down last October to replace the retiring Billy Collier as United Services' new leader.

Liebel said she has always been involved with the community, starting with her days as a church volunteer.

"If someone needed help with something, I just helped," she said. "It was not like it was planned or scheduled. It has to do with really loving this community and wanting to commit more than just being a resident."

United Services has locations in St. Peters, Dardenne Prairie and Warrenton. The organization provides preschool and early childhood services for typically developing children and children with disabilities, combining students of different abilities in an inclusive learning environment.

In her first 90 days with United Services, Liebel said she has tried to envision what the organization's next generation will look like. She called United Services "a pretty magical place," but said it must work to identify emerging needs. For instance, there are not enough services for children with autism, she said.

"Times change," she said. "If an organization doesn't change with the changing needs of the community, it may no longer be relevant. We need to ask ourselves if there is something more we could be doing. Otherwise, parents will leave St. Charles County to find services."