Spartanburg, SC – The Palmetto Council of the Boy Scouts of America will recognize two adult leaders for their service to Hispanic families during a ceremony on September 2, 2015. Mr. Michael Tolman and Mr. David Walters will be recognized with the Vale la Pena Service Award for their work in the Boiling Springs community.

The Vale la Pena Service Award recognizes outstanding service by an adult or organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic / Latino youth.

Michael Tolman – Michael serves as Scoutmaster of Troop 125, chartered to the Boiling Springs Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is being recognized for his work in helping Hispanic families grow in the Scouting program while encouraging youth members to take on roles of responsibility within the troop. He routinely teaches youth members to live by the Scout Oath and Law while making good life choices.

David Walters – David serves as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 125, chartered to the Boiling Springs Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. David is being recognized for being a pioneer in the recruitment of Hispanic youth to join Scouting in the Boiling Springs community. He has been recognized as an “invaluable resource” for families of new youth members when they join the troop.

These awards are the first recognitions presented as part of the council’s Multi-Cultural Markets Service Initiative, launched in September 2015. This initiative will focus on building sustainable Scouting programs in diverse neighborhoods with no Scouting presence. The service initiative is being led by Mr. Victor Durrah, Jr., who was recently recognized by the Spartanburg County Foundation with the Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change for his work with outreach programs in Spartanburg.