Glen Carbon, Illinois – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) is pleased to announce that Debbie McAuliffe from O’Fallon and Natalie Martin from Carbondale are recipients of the 2022 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award.
The Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards program, which is presented by the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, recognizes individual volunteers through a statewide award program to highlight the importance of volunteerism and community service in the State of Illinois.
Debbie McAuliffe of O’Fallon is a recipient of the award in the Adult category. She began volunteering with Girl Scouts overseas in 2010. She quickly transitioned to a volunteer role with Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois when her family moved to O’Fallon in 2013. After volunteering at a Girl Scout Day Camp in the summer of 2013, Debbie continued on as a Troop Leader that fall for her daughter’s troop and eventually became the Service Unit Manager for the O’Fallon/Shiloh/Fairview Heights area. Her passion and commitment to Girl Scouting continues, and she is currently serving as the Service Unit Registrar for her area. “I have been privileged to support Girl Scout Troop Leaders over the years, and have loved every minute observing the growth in courage, confidence, and character of our over 400 Girl Scouts each year,” said Debbie. “It has been a tremendous honor to witness these wonderful young girls and women become the leaders they are meant to be.”
Natalie Martin from Carbondale is a recipient of the award in the Youth category. “I grew up right next to the Shawnee National Forest, and my parents taught me to respect and love nature,” said Natalie. “Growing up like this gave me a deep appreciation for the environment which is how I made the decision to teach a new generation about how to protect and care for the environment,” she added. Natalie is a Gold Award Girl Scout. In 2022, she was also the recipient of a Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship.
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves over 6,150 girls and engages nearly 3,000 adult volunteers in 40 counties in Southern Illinois. Join Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois today! Adult volunteers and girls in K-12 are welcome. Call 800-345-6858 or email customercare@gsofsi.org. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways, businesses and individual donors throughout the region.
Contact: Tricia Higgins at thiggins@gsofsi.org.
