The Central Indiana Boy Scouts of America (BSA) program provider, Crossroads of America Council hosted its 35th Annual Scouting Awards Dinner Sept. 4 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The annual event honors outstanding community leaders, recognizes top volunteers for their service to Scouting and raises operating funds for growing local Scouting programs.
The highlight of the evening is always the presentation of awards. The first award was presented to Tanya Bell, president and chief executive officer of Indiana Black Expo Inc. Recipient of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award, Bell was honored for her outstanding contributions and service to disadvantaged youth in Indiana.
Next was presentation of the Thomas W. Moses Good Scout Award to Nancy and Bobby “Slick” Leonard, legendary Indiana Pacers coach and radio broadcaster and his devoted wife and former team general manager. The award honors individuals who exemplify Scouting values and have made a significant contribution to their community.
“Tanya Bell and Nancy and Bobby Leonard are the embodiments of community service and servant leadership, and they mean so much to the people of Indiana. We are grateful for all they’ve done – and will continue to do – for both our Scouting family and Indiana as a whole,” said Joe Wiltrout, Scout Executive/CEO of the Crossroads of America Council.
The Council also recognized 12 individuals with Silver Beaver Awards, a distinguished Scouting service award and the highest volunteer recognition in the Crossroads of America Council can bestow. Recipients are registered volunteers who have made an extensive impact on the lives of youth through Central Indiana BSA programs. The 2019 Class of Silver Beaver award winners include:
- Chuck Bailey, Scouts BSA Troop 256, Ninevah
- Robin Bernier, Venturing Crew 209, Trafalgar
- Beth Curtiss, Bear Creek District Volunteer, Shelbyville
- Robert Fielden, Venturing Crew 93, Cloverdale
- Jerry Hedrick, Scouts BSA Troop 107, Indianapolis
- Jim Hester, Del-Mi District Volunteer, Westfield
- Kristopher Jones, Cub Scout Pack 243, Greenfield
- Natalie Maenhout, Council Training Volunteer, Carmel
- Kathy Martin Harrison, Council Board and Campaign Chair, Indianapolis
- David Montgomery, Scouts BSA, Troop 306, Indianapolis
- Rod Payne, Sakima District Volunteer, Pendleton
- Rolf Samuelsen, Sugar Creek District Volunteer, Crawfordsville
“Without dedicated volunteers, Scouting and many other organizations could not have such a life-changing impact on their communities,” Wiltrout said. “I am honored to recognize these outstanding leaders who have given so much of their time and talent to the young people in their care and to local Boy Scouts of America.”