lincoln residents awarded at girl scouts of eastern massachusetts' 2022 Volunteer recognition awards The Lincoln Service Unit and Heather Coughlin were recognized at May 6th award ceremony Boston, Mass. - <http://www.gsema.org> Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA), the largest girl-serving organization in Massachusetts and 10th largest Girl Scout council in the United States, was proud to recognize Heather Coughlin and the Lincoln Service Unit as Volunteer Appreciation Award recipients at their annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration, on Friday, May 6, 2022. The ceremony was held in the historic Council Bowl at Camp Cedar Hill where Girl Scout founder Juliette Low was part of the 1925 international meeting of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides. Heather Coughlin was awarded the Girl Scouts of the USA Appreciation Pin which recognizes volunteers actively giving outstanding service in support of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Since 2016, Heather has been the Lincoln Service Unit Coordinator providing direction and connections between the various town troop leaders. She has encouraged sharing information and resources and has offered opportunities to participate in multi-troop events. For more than six years, Heather shouldered the majority of the Town-Wide events from organizing an annual all-troop camping trip, Bridging Ceremonies, Cookie Sales, and has coordinated with the Town on participating in Memorial Day and Labor Day celebrations, Fourth of July parades and supporting other town events like Town Meeting. One Lincoln Troop leader commented, "Her attention and dedication to providing role models to young girls is what I think is most impressive about Heather. She is always thinking of the girls: how they can be the center of the decision or process, take on a leadership role, feel celebrated and have others to look up to, examples of what they could accomplish in the future." In addition to Heather's individual recognition, The Lincoln Service Unit was awarded the President's Award for its exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Lincoln is a small town, but the connections run deep and those connections, paired with commitment, have allowed Lincoln Girl Scouts to persevere throughout the pandemic. Through connections in the community, Girl Scouts are asked year-after-year to participate in several multi-troop service activities and events. These multi-troop efforts allow girls to see other Girl Scouts from different grades, and older girls become role models to the younger girls. For over four years, a partnership with the Lincoln Council on Aging and Human Services has provided girls the opportunity to see what a positive impact a small gesture can have on individuals. The Lincoln Girl Scouts have run collection drives for seniors gathering household products, personal care items, and postage stamps. Added to these necessities has been a handmade craft/card with winter wishes. A Girl Scout Bronze Award project from years ago has continued on with providing sand buckets in winter so seniors won't slip on their walkways and driveways. These deliveries are always met with much gratitude, almost as much as when the girls deliver Girl Scout Cookies to home-bound seniors as part of a gifting program sponsored by the Council on Aging! As a service unit, Lincoln has supported several Silver Award projects including one creating connections through the local library to make virtual reading buddies, one building and installing colorful benches in the courtyard of Lincoln Mall, and another working with a local synagogue to develop more gender-inclusive spaces and services. Lincoln's Girl Scouts are truly endeavoring to make sure all girls, regardless of gender expression, are welcome. The May 6th ceremony also recognized those who had received awards during the prior years via a Zoom presentation. Linda Hammett Ory, a Lincoln Girl Scout troop leader for 13 years, was awarded the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts' Helen Storrow Heritage Award in June 2021. This award recognizes a registered Girl Scout who recognizes, understands, and practices the values of the Girl Scout mission, and has contributed to the growth and strength of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts through philanthropy and efforts to preserve its vast Girl Scout history. If you are interested in the Girl Scouts, contact <mailto:lincolngirlscouts01...@gmail.com> lincolngirlscouts01...@gmail.com for opportunities to join a troop, become a troop leader or even help with coordination among troops as Heather Coughlin will be stepping down as the Service Unit Coordinator this summer.
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