In honor of National Volunteer Month in April, the Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Council (serving 24 counties in New York and two in Pennsylvania) is recognizing all 3,188 of the adult volunteers who give their time and dedication to local Girl Scouts.

NYPENN serves 24 counties in New York including St. Lawrence County and two counties in Pennsylvania.

During the month of April, the council, girls, their families and communities find special ways to thank local Girl Scout volunteers.

On April 22, GSNYPENN held its first-ever Virtual Volunteer Appreciation Night. The gathering took place via Zoom on Girl Scout Leader’s Day, a national Girl Scout “holiday” honoring adult volunteers who work as troop leaders and mentors in partnership with Girl Local leaders receiving the Appreciation Pin, recognizing a volunteer for outstanding service to one service unit or geographic area including: Kathleen Lawrence, Ogdensburg; Becki Phillips, and Brent Phillips both of Heuvelton.

Spirit Award, recognizing a volunteer who supports the Girl Scout Movement by diligently working behind the scenes: Ashley Durham, Ogdensburg.

Rising Star Award, recognizing a first- or second-year leader who has hit the ground running and made an immediate impact on Girl Scouts: Julianne Doyle, Potsdam.

Volunteer Years of Service Award Pin, recognizing an adult member for years of active volunteer service at 5-year intervals: 40 years: Sandra McCarthy, Ogdensburg; and Marilyn Paradis, Potsdam. 30 Years: Suzanne Bice, Ogdensburg; Susan Scott, Potsdam. 25 Years: Carol Kelso, Ogdensburg. 15 Years: Sarena Guerard, Brasher Falls. 10 Years: Celia Barr-Chagnon, Brasher Falls.

Membership Numeral Guard, recognizing the total number of years registered as a Girl Scout member, including both girl and adult years: 30 Years, Desiree Kelso, and Trina Mitchell, both of Ogdensburg. 25 Years: Katrina Heiss, Anna Lawrence, and Ellen Wright, all of Ogdensburg. 20 Years: Alexis Michael, Heuvelton. 15 Years: Zoe Martin, Ogdensburg; and Carolyn Zanta, Potsdam. 10 Years: Rosemarie Maneri, Ogdensburg. 5 Years: Julianne Doyle, Potsdam; Becki Phillips, Heuvelton; Beth Todd, Brasher Falls; and Christine Ward, Ogdensburg.

For those interested in volunteering with Girl Scouts, the council is hosting two upcoming hour-long virtual meetings, “5 Signs You Should Be A Troop Leader,” on Friday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 16 at 11 a.m.

Staff and current troop leaders will help answer questions regarding time commitments, challenges and rewards, making it work and the troop leader support system. Register now at gsnypenn.org/5signsMay14 or gsnypenn.org/5signsMay16