Who said summer has to be boring?
Andrew Patterson, 16, decided that volunteering with Hope Valley Ministries might kill two birds with one stone — relieve summer boredom while taking the opportunity to earn his Boy Scout Community Service Badge.
When asked to show up at Hometown Thriftstore last Friday, Patterson thought he’d receive nothing more than a pat on the back for his efforts. Instead, he received the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award for his work.
“I can’t say enough about the kid,” Monica Rice, Hometown Thriftstore manager, who nominated Patterson for this award,said. He got along great with the customers and co-workers, has a great sense of humor and was willing to do anything that was asked of him. She said he went above and beyond his Boy Scout requirements and that, "He sets a good example for youth his age."
When asked what he thought of receiving this award, he simply said, “awesome.”
Patterson, a Junior at Dansville High School, put in 240 hours of volunteer service this summer at the store as well as at its camp, Hope Valley Camp, helping it to get ready to open in West Sparta.
Rice said Patterson wasn’t afraid to learn new things and get his hands dirty. In fact, he didn’t think twice of helping the camp install its septic system.
His willingness to volunteer was evident to this reporter as he excused himself during the interview to run to the store’s cash register to help ring someone out although he wasn’t scheduled to work.
“I’m very proud of him,” his father, Tom Patterson, said. “Very, very proud.”
His Scout Master, David Knights, said Patterson is well-deserving of this award, and echoed Rice's statement that, “Andy’s a great role model for the rest of the Scouts.”
Patterson is in his third year as a Boy Scout in Troop 38. He was installed as assistant patrol leader the week before receiving this award.
Who said summer has to be boring?
Andrew Patterson, 16, decided that volunteering with Hope Valley Ministries might kill two birds with one stone — relieve summer boredom while taking the opportunity to earn his Boy Scout Community Service Badge.
When asked to show up at Hometown Thriftstore last Friday, Patterson thought he’d receive nothing more than a pat on the back for his efforts. Instead, he received the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award for his work.
“I can’t say enough about the kid,” Monica Rice, Hometown Thriftstore manager, who nominated Patterson for this award,said. He got along great with the customers and co-workers, has a great sense of humor and was willing to do anything that was asked of him. She said he went above and beyond his Boy Scout requirements and that, "He sets a good example for youth his age."
When asked what he thought of receiving this award, he simply said, “awesome.”
Patterson, a Junior at Dansville High School, put in 240 hours of volunteer service this summer at the store as well as at its camp, Hope Valley Camp, helping it to get ready to open in West Sparta.
Rice said Patterson wasn’t afraid to learn new things and get his hands dirty. In fact, he didn’t think twice of helping the camp install its septic system.
His willingness to volunteer was evident to this reporter as he excused himself during the interview to run to the store’s cash register to help ring someone out although he wasn’t scheduled to work.
“I’m very proud of him,” his father, Tom Patterson, said. “Very, very proud.”
His Scout Master, David Knights, said Patterson is well-deserving of this award, and echoed Rice's statement that, “Andy’s a great role model for the rest of the Scouts.”
Patterson is in his third year as a Boy Scout in Troop 38. He was installed as assistant patrol leader the week before receiving this award.
