Scouters honored during annual recognition dinner
Throughout the 100-year history of Boy Scouts, tens of thousands of adult volunteers across the country have given countless hours of service to the youth of America.
More than 400 of those volunteers work right here in Wayne and Holmes counties serving the over 1,000 youth who participate in the Cub and Boy Scouting programs in the Killbuck District.
On Feb. 17, Scouters gathered at the Wooster Knights of Columbus Hall to recognize the extraordinary efforts of those volunteers during the 53rd annual Killbuck District Volunteer Recognition Dinner.
“Scouting happens because of volunteers,” said Dave Truax, Buckeye Council Scout executive. “You’re a proud group, a hardworking group and you accomplish an awful lot.”
Master of ceremonies and longtime Scouter Chuck Craig thanked the Scouters for the “countless hours of intense activity, sometimes frustration, always dedication to the Scouting movement because without you the movement would not exist.
“Thank you for your devoted attendance to the Scouting movement and the young men in your charge throughout the year,” said Craig.
Throughout the evening Scouters were recognized for their service to the youth of Wayne and Holmes counties.
Amongst the recognitions was the presentation of the prestigious 2010 Scouter of the Year award to longtime Scouter Dana Keirstead.
According to Craig, each year since 1959 one outstanding Scouter has been recognized for his or her “continued dedication and service to the youth of the Killbuck District and Buckeye Council.”
“I am so overwhelmed and honored,” said Keirstead. “I wear this uniform with pride and distinction anywhere and everywhere.”
Keirstead, who is an ordained minister, said he is often asked why he stays involved in scouting.
“It really comes down to a ministry. I’ve seen scouting as a ministry in my lifetime, maybe even greater than that which I have done in my pastoral work,” said Keirstead, adding that the mission of Boy Scouts of America “is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”
During the dinner Wooster’s Craig Reynolds was honored with the Ray Ziegman Award.
“This is a memorial to Ray Ziegman, who was an active industrialist in Orrville and whose quiet, behind-the-scenes work in his community and Scouting are truly memorable,” said Craig, adding that “the recipient is selected on the basis of his or her scouting and community service.”
Current Killbuck District Chair John Tope of Millersburg presented the District Award of Merit to his predecessor, John Zeek of Dalton.
“The District Award of Merit is the highest honor that can be awarded to a District Scouter,” said Tope, adding that the award is the district equivalent of the Silver Beaver Award, a national award presented by local councils for outstanding service.
After accepting the award, Zeek surprised Tope by noting that Tope had been selected as the second District Award of Merit recipient for 2010.
Also receiving recognition for her work on the district level was Sally Turpin of Wooster. Turpin was presented with the Wreath of Service Award, which is presented to an active commissioner who embodies the legacy of service demonstrated by the late Don Brown, longtime Killbuck District Scouter and Buckeye Council commissioner.
Also honored for their service to the Cub Scout program were Steve Jennings of Cub Scout Pack 79, sponsored by Central Christian Church in Wooster, who received the 2010 Cubmaster of the Year award and Jerry Frye of Cub Scout Pack 65, sponsored by Zion Lutheran Church in Wooster, who was presented with the 2010 Akela Award.
Silver Beaver recipient Sandy Anderson was also recognized. Anderson will formally receive her award at the Buckeye Council Recognition Dinner in March.
More than 400 of those volunteers work right here in Wayne and Holmes counties serving the over 1,000 youth who participate in the Cub and Boy Scouting programs in the Killbuck District.
On Feb. 17, Scouters gathered at the Wooster Knights of Columbus Hall to recognize the extraordinary efforts of those volunteers during the 53rd annual Killbuck District Volunteer Recognition Dinner.
“Scouting happens because of volunteers,” said Dave Truax, Buckeye Council Scout executive. “You’re a proud group, a hardworking group and you accomplish an awful lot.”
Master of ceremonies and longtime Scouter Chuck Craig thanked the Scouters for the “countless hours of intense activity, sometimes frustration, always dedication to the Scouting movement because without you the movement would not exist.
“Thank you for your devoted attendance to the Scouting movement and the young men in your charge throughout the year,” said Craig.
Throughout the evening Scouters were recognized for their service to the youth of Wayne and Holmes counties.
Amongst the recognitions was the presentation of the prestigious 2010 Scouter of the Year award to longtime Scouter Dana Keirstead.
According to Craig, each year since 1959 one outstanding Scouter has been recognized for his or her “continued dedication and service to the youth of the Killbuck District and Buckeye Council.”
“I am so overwhelmed and honored,” said Keirstead. “I wear this uniform with pride and distinction anywhere and everywhere.”
Keirstead, who is an ordained minister, said he is often asked why he stays involved in scouting.
“It really comes down to a ministry. I’ve seen scouting as a ministry in my lifetime, maybe even greater than that which I have done in my pastoral work,” said Keirstead, adding that the mission of Boy Scouts of America “is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”
During the dinner Wooster’s Craig Reynolds was honored with the Ray Ziegman Award.
“This is a memorial to Ray Ziegman, who was an active industrialist in Orrville and whose quiet, behind-the-scenes work in his community and Scouting are truly memorable,” said Craig, adding that “the recipient is selected on the basis of his or her scouting and community service.”
Current Killbuck District Chair John Tope of Millersburg presented the District Award of Merit to his predecessor, John Zeek of Dalton.
“The District Award of Merit is the highest honor that can be awarded to a District Scouter,” said Tope, adding that the award is the district equivalent of the Silver Beaver Award, a national award presented by local councils for outstanding service.
After accepting the award, Zeek surprised Tope by noting that Tope had been selected as the second District Award of Merit recipient for 2010.
Also receiving recognition for her work on the district level was Sally Turpin of Wooster. Turpin was presented with the Wreath of Service Award, which is presented to an active commissioner who embodies the legacy of service demonstrated by the late Don Brown, longtime Killbuck District Scouter and Buckeye Council commissioner.
Also honored for their service to the Cub Scout program were Steve Jennings of Cub Scout Pack 79, sponsored by Central Christian Church in Wooster, who received the 2010 Cubmaster of the Year award and Jerry Frye of Cub Scout Pack 65, sponsored by Zion Lutheran Church in Wooster, who was presented with the 2010 Akela Award.
Silver Beaver recipient Sandy Anderson was also recognized. Anderson will formally receive her award at the Buckeye Council Recognition Dinner in March.
Published: March 4, 2011
