NATCHEZ — Behind the colorful balloons at the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race is a less visible world — that of the volunteer.

Hundreds of volunteers put in countless hours of effort to get everything ready for crews and visitors alike, volunteers such as Maria Lambert, this year’s recipient of the Spirit of David Steckler Award.

The award is named in remembrance of Dr. David Steckler, a community leader and longtime supporter of the race. The award is meant as a tribute to his legacy, as well as to honor volunteer efforts.

“It is given to someone who gives unselfishly,” Award Chairman Candi Davis said.

For the past 20 years, Lambert has served in various positions at the race, starting as a member of a chase crew and taking on additional duties such as organizing the race’s T-shirts and helping make a safety video for chase crew training. Outside of the race, she also crews for balloon flights for local bed-and-breakfasts.

“She’s deserving of what the award speaks for as she volunteers unselfishly and with a happy heart,” Davis said.

Lambert’s interest in the race was sparked when balloons landed at her house in 1988. She said someone drove up and asked her permission shortly after she saw a balloon flying close to the ground.

She agreed and watched all of the balloons come down around her house.

“Even my dogs were excited all the people were there,” Lambert said.

In 1995, Lambert said her daughter, Jaime Nixon, told her they could volunteer to crew for the race. Lambert, Nixon and her two other daughters came to the training, and all four became part of a chase team that year.

The next year Lambert began helping with the balloon race T-shirts, and she’s been involved ever since.

Eleven years ago, Lambert took her volunteerism to the screen, starring in a training video for the crews with her family demonstrating the things crewmembers should do and not do to help balloonists safely.

While they were filming, Lambert had to lean out the sunroof of a car and point to the sky for a shot. She remembers seeing people on their balconies, pointing and trying to figure out what she was looking at.

“Of course, there was nothing up there,” Lambert said.

Lambert said she loves the way excitement builds around the race and the chance to meet all the different people.

“They say I’m just like my dad, who never met a stranger,” Lambert said.

Lambert’s win was first announced at the balloon glow Friday night. Lambert said she had no idea she was going to win as the announcer began to describe the award’s recipient.

“As I was sitting there listening, right toward the end things started getting familiar,” Lambert said.

When the award was given, Lambert said she was crying and speechless.

“I was blown away,” Lambert said.

Lambert said the balloon race is a team effort between many volunteers, and just being nominated would have been an honor, never mind winning.

“It’s truly a great honor,” Lambert said.