Boyertown's Santa Claus just added another notch to his big black belt.

The jolly old man, also known as Kevin Zimmers, recently was named Boyertown Citizen of the Year for 2009.

Zimmers, a New Berlinville resident who has worn Santa's red suit for the holiday celebration in Boyertown for the past decade, will accept the honor at the annual awards banquet May 3.

"I was very excited because I have been to that banquet, and to me, it is the closest to a local Oscar night that you can get," Zimmers, 46, said of receiving the award.

"It's nice to know that you've been noticed doing nice things," he added. "What it has done to me is it reaffirms my belief in treating other people the way you want to be treated and it will come back to you."

A committee consisting of Berks-Mont Newspapers employees and members of the Boyertown Jaycees selected Zimmers based on his volunteer activities, said Patricia A. Paul, Berks-Mont publisher.

Zimmers and his wife, Robin, have four children: Jacob, 19; Sam, 16; Thomas, 14; and Grace, 11.

He owns Zimmers Pets, a full-line pet store on Philadelphia Avenue in Boyertown.

Zimmers also owns three other companies: Northeast Construction Co. in Gilbertsville, a fish-tank maintenance company called Tidy Tank and a collectibles business called Ooohs and Aaahs Unlimited.

When he's not working, Zimmers is volunteering.

Of course, there are his Santa duties.

"If I could dress you as Santa Claus and sit a kid on your lap, you'd be hooked just as I was," he said.

Zimmers also donates time to charity auctions and has led Boy Scout Troop 533 in New Berlinville as scoutmaster for more than 25 years.

"I have fathers that were in my troop, and now their sons are in my troop," he said. "I have been able to see these kids grow into young men."

Sherry L. Bartman, a manager at Zimmers Pets, nominated her brother-in-law and boss after someone approached her with the idea.

"He does so much with the community in Boyertown," said Bartman, 43, of New Berlinville. "If there's an activity or anything, he's always there to help.

"He's so liked in the community," she added. "I just think it (the award) is really deserving - a long time coming."

Contact Michelle Park: 610-371-5022 or mpark@readingeagle.com.