This love of British programming not only drew him closer to the TV screen but eventually down to KTEH to volunteer at the studios where the shows were being aired.

For three years now, Staton has been working at KTEH, the public television station for San Jose and San Francisco. But it's been in the past 18 months that he has become a full-time volunteer, going in nearly every day, all day to the station. Whether it's taking pledges and phone calls, scripting auction items or sorting merchandise, Staton is ready to help. "He always impresses me with his volunteer work," says KTEH Chief Development Officer Judy Armstrong. "He makes suggestions, which is great, and he really does initiate constructive ways to change things to make the station better."

In recognition of his time and selfless devotion to the station, Staton has been awarded KTEH's volunteer of the year award for 2002.

In her awarding speech, Armstrong outlined the criteria for the annual award. Volunteers must "demonstrate purpose and integrity, maintain a helpful and positive attitude, follow through on all commitments, show initiative in a leadership role, devote a significant amount of time to KTEH efforts, demonstrate exceptional leadership skills, and make an invaluable contribution to the growth and success of KTEH."

The station also nominated him for the Crystal Bowl Award, presented by the Junior League of San Jose, which he won along with 15 other avid community volunteers. Staton has already received the award from the station and will be receiving his own crystal bowl from Tiffany & Co. in April.

"I feel very happy about the award," he says.

More powerful than his words, however, are his actions at the station.

Armstrong notes that in addition to working five- to eight-hour days, Staton frequently makes Jamba Juice runs, grabbing smoothies for the entire department he is working for that day.

"He is very generous in that way," Armstrong says. "He has also brought volunteers into the building—friends of his, business associates—and has been able to talk very passionately and eloquently about KTEH, which is wonderful for us. He's always very upbeat at the station and is always looking for new ways that we can do things."

After moving from England to the United States seven years ago with his wife, Judith, and a year after that to Saratoga, Staton worked in software for the high-tech industry. He quit two years ago because he "got totally sick and tired of it." KTEH was an accessible and much more enjoyable venue for him to become involved with. "I just plunged into it," he says.

Although he began with phone work, Staton can now frequently be seen auctioneering at the drives, one place where his accent certainly comes in handy. "British accents really do help sell those items," Armstrong jokes.

"My favorite aspect is when I can see the money coming through," he says, "because the station is hurting like everyone else."

In addition to working on the station's spring drive, Staton has been putting intense effort into a sci-fi DVD to give as a pledge gift. The DVD pays homage to some of his favorite sci-fi shows and will include interviews with three actors from Doctor Who.

"He created a business plan, went over it with me and then went on to not only help processes and take it to fruition, but then he gave some funding as well," Armstrong says. He is very much a person who finishes what they set out to accomplish, she confirms.

"There are not many people there full time, and the ones who are are overworked," Staton says. "So I just take over when people are out or need help." Although his position doesn't pay, Staton prefers to maintain his volunteer status, as it allows him to have flexibility while helping full-time employees. This flexibility is a good thing for someone as busy as he is. In addition to his KTEH volunteering, he is teaching a silver jewelry-making class, taking silver smithing classes and earning his master's in astronomy online through the University of Western Sydney.

"In the valley, with so many unemployed, you have to admire people who, instead of sitting at home, try to give back to the community," Armstrong says. "Merv is one of those people."