Published: May 04, 2008 11:32 pm      

Volunteers earn 'Thanks Badge'

Mary Sue Long will be helping girls to explore the beauty of nature this month during Nature Days at the Girl Scout’s Camp Conshatawba in Summerhill.

Carol Fisher just finished spearheading the annual Girl Scout cookie program in the region.

Both women have been involved with scouting for many years and were honored a couple of months ago for their service by the former Talus Rock Council, Girl Scouts.

The council merged with four other councils April 1 to become Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.

Long, a New Germany resident, received the Thanks Badge for her years of training volunteers and helping at Camp Conshatawba.

Fisher, an Armagh resident, received the Thanks Badge II, which is awarded to volunteers who already have received the Thanks Badge and have continued to contribute exemplary service to the Girl Scouts.

Long, who became involved when her oldest daughter, Sarah, joined the Scouts 22 years ago, had served as day camp director at Camp Conshatawba for eight years and as a leader at the day camp during another eight-year period.

This summer, she will be serving on the activities-program team at day camp.

“The Girl Scouts is a great organization,” she said. “The girls can do anything they set their minds to doing.”

She said her youngest daughter, Chrissy, enjoyed hiking and went with other Scouts on excursions across the country.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” she said about her years in Girl Scouts. “You’re around all the girls, and they keep you young.”

She said her husband of 29 years, Denis, has been supportive of her volunteer work.

Long also is an active member at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in New Germany.

Fisher recently completed her 25th consecutive year as cookie chairwoman for the Talus Rock Council.

“I’ve totally enjoyed being involved in Girl Scouts,” she said.

“Our girls will someday be our future leaders, and Girl Scouts help to prepare them to be our leaders of tomorrow,” she said.

There are many fine volunteers and staffers who work hard to make the Scouts a success, she said.

Fisher became involved in the organization more than 30 years ago when her oldest daughter, Lavonne, joined the Scouts.

Another daughter, Lynette, followed.

She said her husband of 43 years, Dwayne, supports her efforts.

Fisher is an active member at the Armagh United Methodist Church and helps with fundraising events at the Armagh-East Wheatfield Volunteer Fire Company.

For their efforts, Long and Fisher are the Persons of the Week.

Tina Pelesky, campaign and events manager for Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, said Long truly cares about the Girls Scouts and what the girls learn and experience.

Fisher, who also had served on the Talus Rock’s board of directors, has dedicated herself to making sure the annual cookie sale is a success every year, she said.

All the volunteers are critical to the success of the Scouts, she said.

“They’re all dedicated,” she said.