FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2023
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
VIRGINIA BEACH SCOUT LEADER NAMED LIVING LEGEND OF TIDEWATER COUNCIL
Chesapeake, Va. – Four local Boy Scouts of America leaders have been recognized as Living Legends of Tidewater Council. They were honored at a recognition dinner on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Khedive Shrine Center, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia.
The Living Legends of Tidewater Council award recognizes well-known volunteers who have generously given untold amounts of their time, resources, and talents to support the local Scouting program. The council’s service area encompasses the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, and the northeastern North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans.
These exemplary leaders continue to provide significant leadership, service, and support to Scouting over many years and in many roles. Their contributed contributions serve the needs of local youth Scouts.
Tom Williams began his adult Scout volunteer journey in 1999 as a den leader with Pack 876 in the National Capital Area Council.
After moving to Virginia Beach, he joined Pack 417 in Tidewater Council as an assistant den/Webelos leader in 2000-2003. He then became an assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 417 from 2003-2010. He joined the troop committee in 2011 and continues to serve in this role. He is a Brotherhood member of the OA and served as his chapter’s Election Advisor from 2006-2007.
Beyond the unit level, Tom served on his district committee in various capacities, including stints as Eagle Advancement Chair in 2013-2014, Family FOS Chair in 2015, District Committee Chair in 2016-2018, and Vice Chair in 2019-2021. He has been a member of the Tidewater Council Executive Board since 2016.
Tom is from his family’s middle generation of Eagle Scouts, earning the rank in 1968. His father (1947) and his son (2008) are also Eagle Scouts. Tom is a James E. West Fellow and wears knots for the District Award of Merit, Community Organization Award, Scouter’s Key, and Scouter’s Training Award.
As a Scouter, Tom’s leadership and support at all levels of Tidewater Council have benefited local youth for 24 years. He continues to share the story and values of Scouting with others, and his efforts have helped ensure ongoing community support for Tidewater Council BSA.
Tom was honored alongside 2023 Living Legends of Tidewater Council Ray Bland, Sam Grinvalsky, and Dan McFarland.
About Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America
Tidewater Council is the 5th oldest Boy Scouts of America council in the United States, established in 1911. Today, the council serves approximately 4,000 youth and 2,000 adult volunteers in the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, and the North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans. Information about Tidewater Council is available by visiting TidewaterBSA.com, emailing james.parnell@scouting.org, or calling 757-497-2688.
About the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the nation’s foremost youth programs of character development and values-based leadership training. Since its inception in 1910, more than 130 million young men and women have participated in the BSA’s youth programs. More than 35 million adult volunteers have helped carry out the BSA’s mission.
BSA programs serve boys and girls ages five through 20, and their families, with age-appropriate curriculums that develop character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness.
More information about the Boy Scouts of America is available by visiting scouting.org.
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