LOCAL BOY SCOUT VOLUNTEER LEADERS HONORED WITH SPARK PLUG AWARDS

The Matinecock District of the Suffolk County Council, Boy Scouts of America, held its annual District Awards and Recognitions Dinner to honor adult volunteers on Thursday May 26, 2016 at Huntington Elks Lodge.  The Matinecock District serves over 3,000 youth members in the Town of Huntington and in the Commack, Kings Park, and Hauppauge school districts in western Smithtown Township.

Members of their Cub Scout Pack or Boy Scout Troop had nominated possible recipients of the Sparkplug Award, and honoree names were kept as a surprise until the presentations.   Presentations were made to those individuals who “are the spark plug of the engine, who get things started and going and are an inspiration to the youths and adults that they work with and encourage”. Each recipient is truly the “spark” that helps ignite the motivation and thrust within that unit. In 2016, Spark Plug Awards were presented to 7 Scouting volunteers are:  Cub Scout Pack 66 (South Huntington)  Deidre Hill;  Cub Scout Pack 5 (East Northport) Dominic Ranieri; Boy Scout Troop 218 (Huntington) Tammy Camagnola-Levinsky; Boy  Troop 343 (Hauppauge) Gary Fortmeyer, Donna Sparacino, Peter Crociata, and Dr. Stanley Lamberg

In recognition of his serving the Matinecock District as the District Advancement Chair for more than 20 years, having served on the Boards of Review for 1,000 Eagle Scouts, Herb McGrail of Northport was presented with a plaque of appreciation.  Considering that less than 3% of Boy Scouts nationwide ever earn the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout and that Mr. McGrail was involved in some form for each and every one of their Eagle Scout Community Service Projects (from advise to mentoring to actually working on the projects), this is no small feat. (left to right) District Advancement Chair Herb McGrail and David Hunt of the Matinecock District’s Advancement Committee.

After more than 60 years in scouting, Joe Bond of Commack stepped down  (“retiring while I’m still young enough”) from his continuous years in the service to the youths in the Boy Scouts of America. In recognition of his serving the Matinecock District (and to the previous Dan Beard District, prior to the merger of scouting districts in the 1990s), Mr. Bond had held a great variety of positions (including District Commissioner, District Chair, Scoutmaster, Roundtable Commissioner, District Committee Member, District Training Chair, creator of the Matinecock District’s Scouting Spirit Trophy, and Cubmaster), Eagle Scout Joseph Bond of Commack was presented with a special recognition plaque that reads “ In Grateful Recognition of Your Exceptional Leadership and Outstanding Service – Six Decades of Service.”  He has made many presentations over the years to other Eagle Scouts at their Eagle Courts of Honor, reminding them that “once an Eagle, always an Eagle.” (left  to right) Liz Jumper, Matinecock District (BSA) District Executive with long time scouting volunteer Joseph Bond.

Spark Plug Awards were presented to seven Scouting volunteers are (left to right):  Boy  Troop 343 (Hauppauge) Peter Crociata, Gary Fortmeyer, Donna Sparacino, and Dr. Stanley Lamberg; Boy Scout Troop 218 (Huntington) Tammy Camagnola-Levinsky; Cub Scout Pack 5 (East Northport) Dominic Ranieri; and Cub Scout Pack 66 (South Huntington) Deidre Hill;

In recognition of his serving the Matinecock District as the District Advancement Chair for more than 20 years, having served on the Boards of Review for 1,000 Eagle Scouts, Herb McGrail of Northport was presented with a plaque of appreciation.  Considering that less than 3% of Boy Scouts nationwide ever earn the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout and that Mr. McGrail was involved in some form for each and every one of their Eagle Scout Community Service Projects (from advise to mentoring to actually working on the projects), this is no small feat. (left to right) District Advancement Chair Herb McGrail and David Hunt of the Matinecock District’s Advancement Committee.

After more than 60 years in scouting, Joe Bond of Commack stepped down  (“retiring while I’m still young enough”) from his continuous years in the service to the youths in the Boy Scouts of America. In recognition of his serving the Matinecock District (and to the previous Dan Beard District, prior to the merger of scouting districts in the 1990s), Mr. Bond had held a great variety of positions (including District Commissioner, District Chair, Scoutmaster, Roundtable Commissioner, District Committee Member, District Training Chair, creator of the Matinecock District’s Scouting Spirit Trophy, and Cubmaster), Eagle Scout Joseph Bond of Commack was presented with a special recognition plaque that reads “ In Grateful Recognition of Your Exceptional Leadership and Outstanding Service – Six Decades of Service.”  He has made many presentations over the years to other Eagle Scouts at their Eagle Courts of Honor, reminding them that “once an Eagle, always an Eagle.” (left  to right) Liz Jumper, Matinecock District (BSA) District Executive with long time scouting volunteer Joseph Bond.