Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington recognized four local volunteers with national-level awards for going above and beyond their duties during the 2015-2016 membership year in their positions in Girl Scouts of the USA.
The awards were announced at the council’s annual meeting in April and presented to the volunteers during a ceremony held in Hermiston.
Denise Griffith, leader of Troop 50117 in Umatilla, was awarded the Appreciation Pin, which recognizes an adult who has delivered outstanding service to at least one geographic area, service unit or program delivery audience. She was nominated for the honor for inspiring and encouraging her troop to organize its own food drive on top of the area’s annual Scouting for Food food drive.
“During the holidays in 2015, the girls from her large multi-grade-level troop flagged down cars for six days over a two-week period for donations and gave handmade ornaments as a thank you,” said Michelle Kane, a member of the area’s all-volunteer service team. “Their hard work under Denise’s leadership helped to make Christmas a little merrier for those in need in their community.”
The other three volunteers were presented with the Honor Pin, which recognizes an adult member who has delivered outstanding service to two or more geographic areas or program delivery audiences.
Becky Finck of Umatilla was acknowledged for her work with the Me and My Prince Ball as a committee member for eight years. “The ball takes many months of planning and preparation,” explained Kane, who also serves on the ball committee. “Becky is there every step of the way and does whatever is needed to make sure the ball happens. She has done everything from helping to secure funds to finding a caterer to recruiting and directing the volunteer staff.”
“She is one of the first friendly faces guests see every year,” said Esther Bell, also a committee member. She added that Finck greets everyone “with her warm and welcoming smile, making each guest feel special.”
Stacia Miller of Hermiston was honored with the award for the numerous ways she has served the four-county area, which is called Service Unit 22.
“As council trainer, she organized a retreat for our volunteers that included leadership training on troop management, songs, games and outdoor cooking,” said Kane. “She also filled in as the coordinator for our service unit’s cookie sale in 2016 when our official coordinator had a family emergency. And she helped organize her ninth Me and My Prince Ball, of which her biggest job on the committee was putting together hundreds of corsages and boutonnieres.”
“She organized and ran a winter break craft party, as well as a pizza and movie night for our service unit,” added Jessica Flower, another service team member. “She did all of this while her own health was declining. It became difficult for her, but she did it anyway so we could all benefit.”
Kate Samp of Pendleton was also presented with the Honor Pin . She was nominated for single handedly organizing her first mother-daughter overnighter in October 2015. “She planned the activities, secured the site, recruited the volunteers and worked with the service team to get financial assistance to get the event off the ground,” said Kane.
“When the weather proved incompatible with many of the organized activities, Kate was well prepared with contingency activities so that the attendees were busy and entertained,” said her troop’s co-leader, Ailea Villanueva.
Her troop’s product manager and assistant leader, Kendra Alvarado, stated that Samp is invaluable with their own troop, as well.
“Kate is always the first person I know to volunteer,” said Alvarado. “Even if the circumstances are not ideal, she will rearrange her schedule to make things work.”
Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington Service Unit 22 serves Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam and Wheeler counties. Volunteers are needed to lead troops, and run local programs and events. For more information on how to become a Girl Scout or a Girl Scout volunteer, visit www.girlscoutsosw.org or call (541) 389-8146, ext. 6505.
