Whitney M. Young Jr. Award

The national Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award is designed to recognize those individuals and corporations who have been instrumental in the development of Scouting for rural, urban, and suburban youth who often face challenging barriers. This award recognizes "unsung heroes," those who do exceptional service for disadvantaged youth.

The mission of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Awards Reception is to secure community resources in support of the Scouting Program for at-risk youth and to provide experiences that develop self-esteem, character values, and living skills, thereby enhancing the lives of young people in disadvantaged areas of our community.

Prairielands Council holds its Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award celebration bi-annually and recognizes local community leaders and organizations.  This dinner is organized by the ScoutReach Committee of the Prairielands Council in conjunction with the professsional staff.

2024 Prairielands Council Whitney M. Young Jr. Celebration

On Thursday, October 24, 2024, Prairielands Council will hold our Whitney M. Young Fundraising Awards Banquet at the Holiday Inn, 101 Trade Center Drive, Champaign, Illinois. Cocktails will be at 6:00 and program starts at 6:30 p.m. The semi-annual fundraiser highlight the achievements of Scoutreach, and honor four outstanding leaders who support Scouting in our community with the Whitney M. Young Service Award. This year, The Whitney M. Young Service Award will be presented to Rev. Ricky Parks, Dr. Ward R. Kangas, Mrs. Nikita Greear, and Mrs. Rachel Schroeder. Special Guest Speaker is the Flying Illini's own Kenny Battle, with Shannon McFarland as emcee!

Past Prairielands Council Whitney M. Young Jr. Honorees

Lovetta Ash-Simpson - 2014
Drs. Larry and Linda Atherton - 2020
James Ayers - 2016
Dr. Maureen Banks - 2022
David Crow - 2018
Fred Faulstich - 2018
Dr. Barbara Gillespie - 2016
Alvin Griggs Sr - 2012
Ruth Harper - 2018
Marilyn Heinsohn - 2022
David Hood - 2016
Dr. Robert Jones - 2022
Kyle Kietzmann - 2020
Marion Knight Jr. - 2014
Ralph and Dr. Ellen Kuchenbrod - 2012
Leslie (Peter) McFarland - 2020
Eric Meyer - 2014
Steven Miller(John P. Cadle Foundation) - 2022
Rev. BJ Tatum - 2012
Dr. Marietta Turner - 2020
George Shapland - 2014
Dennis Smith - 2018
Curt Ware - 2016
Wayne Weber - 2012