A dedicated coach, a community organisation and a charity that helps young students learn to play a string instrument were honoured at Cablevision's Community Service Award Banquet on Saturday evening.

The Menuhin Foundation, a charity that provides free tuition to primary school students who want to learn to play a string instrument, was honoured with the Cablevision Community Service Award.

Track coach, Calvin Simons, was awarded the Rollin Nathan award for his "30 years of helping young Bermudians build strong character through sports".

And a special award was given to brother Wayne, Dwayne and Travis Caines and Dr. Lou Matthews – the founders of the community action group, Rise Above Bermuda for their "extraordinary efforts to bring harmony in the community."

Alan Smith, General Manager of Cablevision, spoke at the banquet and presented the Community Service Award of $2,000 to the Menuhin Foundation.

Mr. Smith said: "The Menuhin Foundation was founded on the belief that not only does learning to play an instrument cultivate a child's musical ability but it also develops important personal skills such as self-discipline, responsibility and creativity.

"In addition, participating in a group or orchestra teaches children to listen to one another and work together.

"Following completion of the basic string classes under the direction of four talented string musicians, primary students can continue to learn how to play the violin, viola or cello through private tuition and the popular Saturday orchestras."

Premier and Transport Minister, Dr. Ewart Brown, who was a guest at the banquet, congratulated the Menuhin Foundation.

"The Menuhin Foundation is truly worthy of recognition and praise for the valuable work they do with Bermuda's young people and the opportunities they offer them," said Dr. Brown.

"By furthering the interpersonal and musical skills of their students they are creating young musicians who can act as role models for their peers. On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I congratulate and thank them for the motivation they provide."

Calvin Simons, Senior Sports Development Officer at the Department of Youth, Sports and Recreation and longtime coach of the Bermuda Pacers track team was awarded $1000 for the Rollin Nathan Community Award.

Rollin Nathan, who the award is named after, was responsible for creating the Cablevision Community Service Award five years ago. As a result of his work on the programme, Cablevision created an award in his honour in 2008.

Mr. Nathan said: "This additional award recognises people in the community who are changing lives, not necessarily through volunteer work as those individuals are being recognised with the Community Service Award, but through their everyday activities at work.

"I am delighted to recognise Calvin Simons with the special Rollin Nathan Community Award. Calvin is a great example of someone who has used his natural ability and passion to the benefit of the community in both his spare time and his career."

To honour the founders of the grass-roots community action group Rise Above Bermuda, a special award of $2,000 was added to the banquet this year.

Rise Above Bermuda was created in December as a response to the rising gun violence on the Island.

The group has undertaken several anti-gang and community service programmes including walking women and children home as well as carrying out night patrols in troubled areas. They have also partnered with Crime Stoppers to sponsor a $100,000 reward for anyone who can provide information that leads to the conviction of the murderers responsible for the recent shootings.

Each January, Bermuda Cablevision hosts the banquet, A Salute to Service, to celebrate and recognise past and present Community Service Award recipients.

The awards have been presented quarterly since 2004 and were established to recognise individuals and organisations that make a difference in the community through volunteering.