Celebrating the Heart of Girl Scouts: Our 2024–25 Volunteer Award Recipients
July 29, 2025
In June, we gathered at beautiful Camp Catron in Nebraska City for one of the most inspiring events of our year—the annual Girl Scout Volunteer Awards. Surrounded by nature, friendship, and gratitude, we recognized more than 80 incredible volunteers and community partners from across Nebraska who make Girl Scouting possible.
From troop co-leaders to church groups, schools to Service Units, these award recipients have poured their time, talent, and hearts into building a better world for girls. Whether they’re planning troop meetings, driving across counties for cookie booths, or opening their doors as welcoming program partners, they embody what it means to be Girl Scout strong.
2024-2025 Volunteer Award Recipents
Community Benefactor Award
Honoring local partners who generously support Girl Scout programming:
- American Legion Auxiliary, Lincoln Unit 3 – Nancy Vallis, Lincoln
- Bennington Elementary – Shannon Lehman, Bennington
- Broken Bow Runza – Kevin and Joyce Richardson, Broken Bow
- Charles Schwab – Kelly Casey, Omaha
- Education Service Unit 16 – North Platte
- Elks Lodge #80 – Randy King, Lincoln
- First Christian Church – O'Neill
- First Congregational Church – Kayla Peterson, Fremont
- Gibbon Elementary School – Tina Godfrey, Gibbon
- Jane Znamemacek – Wilber
- Lincoln County Ag Society – North Platte
- Salem Lutheran Church – Verna Kimball, Fremont
- The Rock Church – North Platte
- The Salvation Army – Jenny Bratcher, Beatrice
- Wilber Legion Post #101 – Lisa Shore, Wilber
- Zion Baptist Church – Omaha
Helpful Adult Award
Recognizing adults who consistently step up to support Girl Scouts:
- Cristi Ackerman Wells, Lincoln
- Taylor Best – Lincoln
- Kathleen Burke-Braun – North Platte
- Wendy Gilbert – North Platte
- Stephanie Mack – Lincoln
- Samantha Meehl – Lincoln
- Rachel Melton – Lincoln
- Dennis Mobley – Plattsmouth
- Sara Price – Lincoln
- Nina Queen – Lincoln
Volunteer of Excellence Award
For volunteers who have made an outstanding impact on girls and the Girl Scout experience:
- Jaime Beister – Blair
- Julie Bonin – Omaha
- Ray Boston – York
- Mackenzie Carstens – North Platte
- Shannon Clark – Lincoln
- Elena Dearcos – Columbus
- Laura Doble – Bellevue
- Stacey Duey – Lincoln
- Stephanie Evans – Broken Bow
- Slaina Farr – Curtis
- Arrie Anna Franchak – Omaha
- Emalee Francis – Sutton
- Jill Gable – Lincoln
- Deb Gibbs – Kearney
- Alicia Harms – Valentine
- Vanessa Hohlen – Lincoln
- Jill Hughson – Fremont
- Melanie Humpfer – Kearney
- Jessica Joppa – Omaha
- Delainey Kaster – Falls City
- Bridget Korth – Wayne
- Alison Kumbier – Seward
- Angie Kunc – Hebron
- Cammi Merklin – Benkelman
- Lisa Monk – Deshler
- Wendy Murphy – Valentine
- Kayla Petersen – Fremont
- Carrie Reinders – Valentine
- Dennis Rittenhouse – Ogallala
- Lisa Rittenhouse – Ogallala
- Abby Rogers – Crete
- Sandi Seckel – Columbus
- Paul Seger – O'Neill
- Nicole Shimek-Langrud – Kearney
- Michele Weaver – Papillion
Appreciation Pin
For volunteers who’ve provided exceptional service and support to one or more Service Units:
- Jillian Henrickson – Crete
- Samantha Hernandez – Scottsbluff
- Joann Hruska – Papillion
- Angela Lierman – Kearney
- Amber Roberts – Bellevue
Thanks Badge
One of the highest honors in Girl Scouting; awarded for outstanding service benefiting the entire council or Girl Scout Movement:
- Kathy Maxson – Kearney
Carolyn Sloan Spirit of Nebraska Award
Given in honor of a beloved volunteer who exemplified warmth, kindness, and reliability:
- Jennifer Bowland – O'Neill
President’s Award
Recognizing Service Units that exceeded team goals and supported girl and volunteer growth:
- Service Unit 208 – Elizabeth Kaster, Falls City
- Service Unit 204 – Eleanor Binder, Wilber
Thank You, Volunteers!
Girl Scouts wouldn’t exist without volunteers. You make the hikes happen. The badge-earning, the campouts, the cookie goals, the confidence boosts. You help girls find their voice and learn they can make a difference. And they do.
To every nominee and recipient: thank you. You are shaping the future, one Girl Scout at a time.
Want to learn more about volunteering or how you can support Girl Scouts in your community? Visit our webpage. There’s a place for you here.
