Volunteer Spotlight
Julie Sugita
It’s no secret that without volunteers, we would not have Girl Scouting in Nebraska…or anywhere! They are the heart of our organization and the biggest contributors in all we do for girls. Volunteers each have unique skills. There are volunteers who keep you going, and then there are those rare volunteers, who do that AND keep you smiling. Julie Sugita is one such volunteer.
Julie is a leader of a Brownie and Cadette troop in Grand Island, where she has been a leader for nine years. A recipient of the Outstanding Leader Award, she is a model volunteer whose troop activities, trips, goals and decisions are always girl-led. Each year, her troops donate 10% of their profits from product programs to organizations such as Hope Harbor and the Central Nebraska Humane Society. For the last four years, her troops have also supported the Red Cross through the Gift of Sharing program. Julie’s girls have also experienced camping at Cosmo, and have taken field trips to places such as Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.
In addition to the opportunities and leadership skills Julie provides for her Girl Scouts, she supports our Girl Scout staff tremendously. Julie helps with both Fall Product and Girl Scout Cookie distribution (an often back-breaking task), and throughout this year’s inaugural direct cookie sale, she traveled with Ginger Jelinek, Product Program Manager, to deliver cookies in our hour of need. Julie didn’t have to be asked to do this, and it certainly wasn’t a requirement, she did it out of the kindness of her heart.
“Julie is one of those leaders that, no matter what, you can always count on her to go above and beyond to help out,” said Ginger. “This past year, she was a lifesaver for me during the Cookie Program; volunteering her time to come and help me deliver and pick up cookies on multiple occasions. She always brings a smile when she walks into the office and it really brightens our day! She is a prime example of an outstanding leader and person who gives service to this organization.”
Looking ahead, the goal for Julie and her girls over the next few years will be participating in the Spirit of Nebraska Travel Pathway adventure to Switzerland in 2015. As the girls grow and bridge-up, much of the Product Program profits they earn will be saved for this incredible travel experience.
Ginger added, “It will be most fitting that Julie, who has done so much to make the world a better place, will see another part of the world with her girls when they travel to Switzerland.”