The Conestoga River District recently presented the District Award of Merit to Dwayne R. Leonard and Christopher M. Gibson.
Leonard has been an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 172 in Terre Hill for more than 20 years. He has earned the Arrow of Light and is an Eagle Scout. As a member of the Order of the Arrow (OA), he sealed his Brotherhood and is a Vigil Honor member. His service includes many years helping staff with Klondike, Fall Camporee, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills training. Additionally, he has served the OA on kitchen staff for several ordeals and two Conclaves. He has served at the Council level on Camporee staff, at a merit badge station, as security for the STEM event, and as part of the kitchen staff for three Camporees.
The community has also benefited from his service, as he has been part of the Memorial Day events and parade in Terre Hill, participated in Wreaths Across America, and helped with cleanup at his local community park and the Welsh Mountain Park. He assisted with annual tree planting for the Chester County Solid Waste Authority. He has helped stock a pond for a local Lions and Sportsman's Club for the annual fishing rodeo for the handicapped and on Fishing Day has helped persons with handicaps to fish.
Leonard is the son of Jim and Peggy Leonard of New Holland. Along with his family, he attends St. Stephen Reformed Church in New Holland. There, he has been on kitchen staff for the Thanksgiving dinner for many years and assists with the annual Christmas breakfast for children. He has also made and distributed valentines for veterans.
He continues to assist with a water station for Garden Spot Village's annual distance races. He has also volunteered for several years to help with its annual fundraising auction.
Gibson's Scouting record dates back to 1999. His adult service began as a Tiger adult, followed by Cubmaster of Pack 91, Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 91, and unit commissioner, the latter two since 2005. At the district level, he has served as district member at large for 15 years, including two years as district chair. He has earned the Den Leader's Training Award, the Cubmaster Award, and the Scouter's Training Award.
He attended National Camping School in 2016 and Philmont Training Center. Additional Scouting recognitions include being named a Baden Powell Fellow, a member of the Throwing Bull Tribe, and Scouter of the Year in 2012. In 2016, he led the Council contingent to Florida Sea Base. He also serves as Council National Camp Accreditation Program chair.
He has accompanied his troop or has served as a camp commissioner at more than 20 different BSA camps throughout Pennsylvania. During this time, he also attended World Jamboree in 2007 and High Adventure bases.
Gibson's service in the Masonic order goes back more than 25 years, including Blue Lodge, Tall Cedars, Shrine, York, and Scottish Rite. In these organizations, Gibson has held various leadership positions. He was honored with the 33rd degree, the highest honor that a Mason can be awarded. The Masonic youth organizations, including Rainbow Girls, DeMolay, and Job's Daughters, have also benefited from his service. He has received the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Service Award. In his community, he volunteers at various polling places during elections.
Leave a Review