Highest Volunteer Award Given

Bloomfield native Nicole Freeman Anderson has been making a name for herself in the world of Boy Scouts. On January 13, she received the highest recognition the Mid America Council can award to a volunteer, the Silver Beaver.
 
Anderson has been working for or volunteering with the Boys Scouts since 2005 when her son (Reilly) wanted to join to program.  Due to a lack of volunteers, she agreed to be involved and her volunteerism began as a Den Leader in Pack 181 in Hinton, IA.
 
In 2008, she took on the role as War Eagle District Executive, ultimately reporting to the Mid-America Council in Omaha, NE.  She held this position for almost 4 years. Since leaving the District Executive position, she has been a District Member-At-Large and worked her way up through several positions in the Commission Corp. 

She is currently the War Eagle District Commissioner, this volunteer position leads a team of individuals who act as a resource to every scouting unit in their District and is the highest ranking uniformed position in the District.
 
In order to receive the award, selection is based on training, experience and volunteerism both within and outside of the scouting program. The volunteer portion requires that all recipients have an extensive focus on impacting youth outside of the Boy Scouts.
 
Anderson has volunteered with the American Heart Association, the YMCA, local churches, coached youth sports, and volunteered in Bible School. "Volunteerism outside of the scouting world is the area that many nominees lack", Anderson said.
 
In addition to the Silver Beaver, Anderson has also received the District Award of Merit, Heritage Award, District Chairman’s Award, 2 BSA religious service awards, and is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. In 2009, Anderson was also selected as one of the Top 50 Boy Scout Employees in the Nation for her involvement in bringing a Scoutreach program to low income schools in Sioux City, Iowa. 

Scoutreach was added to several low income after school programs at no charge to the families or the school in an effort to reach more youth who otherwise could not afford to participate.
 
The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through volunteer service.

​The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service.  Each recipient is required to be not only a leader in scouting, but a leader in their community as well.
 
As for Anderson, she plans to continue volunteering with the Boy Scouts in the future.  As a single mom and the mother of a 2012 Eagle Scout, her family experienced first-hand the opportunities that scouting has to offer and looks forward to continuing to share that experience with youth in the future.