Castleton Navy Veteran January’s Hometown Hero

County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference.

All throughout 2016, we will be recognizing one “hero” per month based on their inspirational feats, work helping their neighbors and everyday passion.

This month we honor Mark Burek, a veteran of the U.S. Navy from Castleton who served for more than 20 years and eventually retired as Senior Chief Petty Officer.

Burek is now a USPS letter carrier, but when he's not delivering mail, he is working hard to support Parkinson's patients after being inspired by his own early onset Parkinson's diagnosis in 2007. After he was diagnosed, Burek founded Hope Soars, a charity and support group that supports patients and Parkinson's research.

"Mark is an inspiration in his service to our country and now in his service to our local community, providing hope and support to individuals and their families affected by Parkinson's," according to his nominator.

Learn more about Burek through an interview we did with him in the video below, and click here to see how you can nominate a hero next month, when we’re honoring a local local coach. The winning hero will receive tickets to a Siena Men’s Basketball game in January or February!