WORCESTER — Worcester singer and media personality Dale LePage has been named recipient of this year's Harvey Ball Smile Award, the Worcester Historical Museum announced Wednesday.

The award is given annually to celebrate the legacy of Harvey Ball, creator of the Smiley Face, to someone who has "made a difference in the city of Worcester … and helped people throughout the community smile," according to information provided by the museum.

"Dale LePage has been an active, caring, involved member of the Worcester community for over 30 years," said William Wallace, executive director of the Worcester Historical Museum. "Dale has made a huge difference to our city’s heritage and culture. His talents continue to entertain us, his compassion has no bounds, and his activism uplifts a community whose roots are strong and always growing. Dale’s professionalism and positive outlook makes us smile every day."

Mr. LePage is a multiple award-winning jazz vocalist and is the creator of the TV show "New England Pride TV with Dale LePage and Tina Billing," "The Dale LePage Radio Show with Andrea Castinetti" on Unity Radio, and WooTube’s "New England Music with Dale and Jennifer Antkowiak." Mr. LePage will be one of the subjects of the museum's special exhibit "Gay Worcester: LGBTQ+ History," which is set to open in April.

"This award is something I never even dreamed of for myself," said Mr. LePage. "It always seemed to be for somebody else, big leaders in the business community ... the movers and shakers. When I was informed that I was going to be given this award, to be honest, I was stunned. I didn't know how to react. My first thought was, 'Don't cry!' My second thought was, 'I think they made a mistake.' My third thought was, 'Holy (expletive) (expletive)! How does a nerd crooner from Templeton who started out in 1979 living in his car in Worcester, Massachusetts, end up with the Harvey Ball award?' I'm beyond grateful, extremely excited for the event and I'm so appreciative of all the love and support the city has shown me. I look forward to doing my best to make my city proud."

The date and venue for this year's Harvey Ball Smile Award presentation have not yet been announced. Past recipients include Allen W. Fletcher, Denis Leary, Leslie Courtney, John W. Spillane, Charles F. Monahan Jr., Richard B. Kennedy, Timothy P. Murray, Jane Petrella, Mary DeFeudis, the Crowley family, Myles and Jean McDonough, Michael V. O’Brien, Mary and Warner Fletcher, Charles P. Ball, the Canal District Alliance, Mark and Janice Fuller, Patty Eppinger and Cliff Rucker.