April is National Volunteer Month! Across our 41 counties, there are so many amazing adult volunteers who make our Mission possible by guiding Girl Scouts on their journey to build courage, confidence, and character and make the world a better place. Our volunteers serve as mentors and role models, providing a support system for girls through troop meetings, outdoor adventures, and so much more. 

Each year, we recognize volunteers and organizations who go above and beyond in their roles through our council awards and recogntions. These awards honor our volunteers for their outstanding service and contributions to our council, girls, and the entire Girl Scout Movement. 

See below for our 2020 Volunteer Award Recipients:

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes Girl Scout adult members, community partners, and community organizations or groups who have shown dedication and distinguished service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in their area/county.

Individuals:

• Amber Bieber, Pitt County
• Amy Bohlayer, Wake County
• Jessica Coons, Orange County
• Amber Craig, Durham County
• Lezley Dellinger, Onslow County
• Cynthia Heath, Cumberland County
• Tessie Henderson, Cumberland County
• Christy Isenhour, Wake County
• Crystal Mullis, Brunswick County
• Katie Pohlman , New Hanover County
• Ashley Rhodes, Onslow County
• Earlean Rivers, Duplin County
• Maria Sears, Wake County
• Betty Smith, Duplin County
• Rebecca Smith, Onslow County
• Amber Staup, Lenoir County
• Shannon Thornburg, Durham County
• Emily Threatt, Wake County
• Linda Walters, Durham County
• Johanna Westlake, Wake County

Organizations:

• First Presbyterian Church, Onslow County
• Green Hope Robotics, Wake County
• Hill King United Methodist Church, Franklin County
• Kirk of Kildare Presbyterian Church, Wake County
• Novozymes, Franklin County
• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Wake County
• St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Durham County
• Triangle Grace Church, Durham County
• Westminster Presbyterian Church, Durham County

The Girl Scouts of the USA Appreciation Pin is presented to active Girl Scout adult members who have shown exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and whose service has had a measurable impact on one geographic area. The recipients of the GSUSA Appreciation Pin for NC Coastal pines in 2020 are:

• Teresa Garcia, Cumberland County
• Rachel Hall-Bailey, Harnett County
• Valerie Harris, Durham County
• Wendy Hunter, Franklin County
• Lauren Irving, Orange County
• Megan Kester, Onslow County
• Renee Martin, Franklin County
• Shannon Miles, New Hanover County
• Marianne Morris, Franklin County
• Claudia Nunez, Wake County
• Janet Palmer, Columbus County
• Christy Pruitt, Person County
• Beth Sperry, Wake County
• Kimberly Watkins, Orange County
• Deanna Welker, Wake County
• Jamie Wesner, Moore County

The Girl Scouts of the USA Honor Pin recognizes active Girl Scout adult members who have shown outstanding service and who contribute to and impact the achievement of the Girl Scout Mission in two or more geographic areas, service units, or program delivery audiences. The council GSUSA Honor Pin recipients for 2020 are:

• Elizabeth Albrecht, Cumberland County
• Sarah Dietrich, Wake County
• Debbie Morgan, Pender County
• Lori Nicolicchia, Johnston County
• Teresa Toney, Onslow County

The Girl Scout of the USA Thanks Badge is given to active Girl Scout adult members  whose on-going commitment, leadership, and service has an exceptional, measurable impact on the Girl Scout Mission and is so significantly beyond expectations that no other award would be appropriate. Additionally, The Girl Scout of the USA Thanks Badge II is given to adult members who have previously received the GSUSA Thanks Badge but have continued to demonstrate exemplary service. The recipients of the GSUSA Thanks Badge for NC Coastal Pines in 2020 are:

• Rebecca Daniels, Durham County
• Laura Philpot, Orange County
• Christine Wisnewski, Orange County
• Paige Barnett, Orange County – Thanks Badge II
• Kristin Vickery, Wake County – Thanks Badge II

The Leading the Way award is present to active Girl Scout adult members whose outstanding service is inspiring to those around them and an example of an ideal Girl Scout volunteer. The council recipients of the Leading the Way award for 2020 are:

• Betty Craig, Franklin County
• Cindy Sortisio, Durham County
• Lillie Thompson, Wayne County

The Chief Executive Officer award recognizes service unit teams who have done exceptional work particularly as it relates to their engagement in their community, membership growth and their ability to provide support to volunteers locally.  

• Durham 10– Cindy Sortisio (SUM), Amber Craig, Errin Humbert, Shannon Thornburg, Kim Cameron, Peggy Anglin, Chip Reinhardt, Dawn Cates
• Hoke County– Betsy Russell (SUM), Kellie Page, Kristin Tompkins, Jenilee Kakerbeck, Jennifer Price, Jerrie Brehm
• Pender County– Amanda Huff (SUM), Meredith Polinski, Sandi Imel, Mandy Atwood , Lisa Reitan, Christina Todd, Adam Credle, Debbie Morgan, Mandy Matthews, Edie Hounshel, Savannah Hubach, Sarah Williamson, Chasity Smith, Tabitha Clark
• Wake 13– Deanna Welker(SUM), Kim Kerstein, Carolyn Rogers, Shannon Gamber, Amy Bohlayer, Samantha Schneider, Mary Jo Van Horne, Julie Brown, Kristin Vickery, Rachel Koehler, Sherry Williams,
  Lynn Briones, Colette Mckeown, Janet Puca, Karenmarie Bryant, Laura Cox, Erica Cutchins
• Wake 18- Mary Tomczak (SUM), Tracie Dugdell, Yashica Robinson, Karen Brown, Laura Kelly, Amanda Wehrwein, Kiara Ruth, Mary Cox,
  Liz Gale
  
• Wayne County- Lillie Thompson (SUM), Louise Faison, Carol Creech, Hannah Cape, Jennifer Wildman, Ela Nickerson, Elizabeth Sargent, Laurie Verner, Brittany Turnage, Antoinette Williams, Jamie Toler, Pam Boyer
  

Join these incredible volunteers in making a difference in the lives of girls by signing up to volunteer today!