Three Barton County residents have been recognized with special awards from Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland for their extraordinary service as volunteers.
Vicki Richardson and Debbie Jones, both of Great Bend, and Cassie Stevenson of Ellinwood have all received the Volunteer of Excellence Award, which is given to Girl Scout volunteers who display excellent service in delivering the Girl Scout mission as they work directly with girls in a troop, camp or other activity. About 50 volunteers received the Volunteer of Excellence Award this year from Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, which serves 80 counties in Kansas.
Richardson and Jones, who are leaders of Girl Scout Troop 20210, work tirelessly to help Girl Scouts of all levels. Richardson started a new troop of younger girls, Troop 11138, over the past year and also works with older girls on their resumes so they can obtain employment in the community. Jones has helped involve the troop in community activities like Quilts of Valor, Day for Girls, the Memorial Day Flag Ceremony, Barton County Historical Society’s Ghosts of Christmas Past, and the Sunflower Diversified Services Art Recycling Contest. She also taught the girls sewing, and some of their work has been exhibited and awarded at the Kansas State Fair.
Stevenson, leader of Girl Scout Troop 20219, has encouraged other troop leaders in Service Unit 111 to become outdoor-trained after taking her troop of Girl Scout Juniors on a camping trip. “Cassie is our Ellinwood go-to person – if there is a question or if help is needed on a committee for the girls, she is ready and willing to step up,” her nominator said. All three Girl Scout volunteers help with the Haunted Pumpkin Carvings at the Wolf Hotel in Ellinwood, along with other Girl Scout activities.
“Our dedicated volunteers encourage girls to raise their hands, to take action and make a difference in their community, and to set their sights on the stars,” said Liz Workman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland. “They prepare girls to lead successful lives and are key to our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.”
Go to kansasgirlscouts.org to learn more about Girl Scouting and how you can make a difference in the lives of local girls by becoming a Girl Scout volunteer.