LONDONDERRY, N.H. - More than 1,700 children have Dave Kelly to thank for the top-notch soccer fields built three years ago on West Road.

Kelly was presented with the 2007 Robert W. Lincoln Youth Service Award yesterday for his work with the town's youth soccer programs.

Art Psaledas, assistant principal at Londonderry High School and director of the town's recreation program, presented Kelly with the award at the high school's spring pep rally.

"This award is well-deserved," Psaledas said. "Dave has been a driving force of our youth soccer programs. He raised over $250,000 in materials for the West Road fields."

For the past two decades, Kelly has dedicated himself to the youth of Londonderry, Psaledas said. Kelly spearheaded field construction and presently serves as president of Londonderry United Travel Soccer Club.

In addition to coaching teams, Kelly has assisted the soccer program at Londonderry High School and organized and run the Londonderry Labor Day Soccer Tournament. Through his fundraising, many donations have been made to both the school district and recreation facilities.

"I'm very proud of our soccer facility," Kelly said yesterday. "Bob Lincoln was an inspiration to me. Although he couldn't be here today, he called me from Florida to congratulate me. That's the kind of guy he is."

Lincoln, the award's namesake, has been active in a variety of organizations in Londonderry. He served on the School Board, the Budget Committee, and chaired various school building committees.

An active member of the Londonderry Lions Club, Lincoln also has been the chairman of the Londonderry Fields Task Force for the past 25 years.

Kelly said that many of the volunteers in the recreation program deserve to be recognized as well.

"We all try to stay on top of things and make sure we maintain good facilities that are safe," he said.

Kelly is an environmental engineer with NStar in Boston. He and his wife, Kathleen, have three children.

"I became involved with the town's soccer program when my oldest was 6," Kelly said. "He's now 21."

Past recipients of the Lincoln Award include Kay Doyle, Terri Roucheleau and Scott Hale.