>> reporter: charles stephanski is their man when neighbors need to properly dispose of hazardous householdroducts. >> there are so many people right here in our little community that have no knowledge of how to or even to do it. >> reporter: the 77-year-old collects batteries and other items from hundreds of senior citizens, more than half of them widows who live in the mill pond mobile home park in san jose. >> and i always set 'em down in there very gently. >> reporter: he loads up everything from bulbs to paint cans and containers which can leak toxic chemicals if dumped in landfills. charles drops off truckloads to the household hazardous waste center. he started this free service 10 years ago when his wife was alive. they learned it wasn't safe to three out some bulbs in the trash because of mercury. >> they're here and there. >> reporter: today the retired u.s. navy steam engineer educates families on correct disposal methods like how to take recycled 9-volt batteries to keep them from short- circuiting and catching fire. and recycling is just one of the many goods things he is doing

trips and selfless service this week's jefferson award winner in the bay area goes to charlie stephanski. charles and his late wife also started a memorial day ceremony to honor veterans by name. it's a serious service. he says they didn't want it to be just about barbecues and celebrations. >> good guy. >> every neighborhood needs one. >> great guy. >> thank you. >> you can nominate your local hero for a jefferson award online at cbssf.com/hero. >> for news throughout the evening the latest is always on our website, cbssf.com. >> join us for nightbeat at 10:00 on kbcw 44/cable 12. and you can see us back here tonight at 11:00. >> enjoy it before it gets too hot. [ laughter ] >> good night. ♪[ music ] >>> linda macdonald, captioner vitac corporation food. water. internet. we need it to live. but what we don't need are surprises, like extra monthly fees. i see you, fee, played by legendary actress anjelica huston. you got me, mark. we just want fast internet for one, simple rate. for all the streaming and the shopping and the newsing, but most of all... for the this. internet for one everyday simp