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Sykesville resident Virginia Harrison, who is involved in numerous community organizations throughout Carroll County, was recently the recipient of the 2015 Carroll County Good Scout Award. She was honored at a special breakfast earlier this month by the Carroll District Boy Scouts of America.
The award is presented to someone who exemplifies the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America in their daily lives. Harrison was chosen for her outstanding community service, leadership and the respect and esteem in which she is held by her colleagues. Harrison is a member of the Carroll County Board of Education. She was appointed to the board in 2008 by Gov. Martin O'Malley, was elected to the board in 2010 and re-elected in 2014.
She is actively involved in the following organizations: the Carroll County Human Relations Commission, Carroll County Citizens for Racial Equality, the Carroll County Local Management Board, Carroll County Council on Career and Technology Education and the Carroll Community College Education Foundation.
The Carroll County Times caught up with Harrison to hear more about her commitment to serving the Carroll community.
Was there a person in your life who encourage you to do community service? What was it that prompted you to get involved in the community?
The one person in my life who encouraged me was my mother. She always said when you take from your community you must give back to the community. I've had a successful business in Carroll County called Dressing By Virginia (a dress making business) for 37 years. My mother was very good at giving advice. She would always give us a phrase such as, 'quality things take time; things of quality have no fear of time, 'It's not what you do, it's how you do what you do' and 'you never look down on aperson unless you going to help them up. 'I love that about her, because you had to really think about what she was really saying. I truly believe that was her point: think about what you are doing.
What do you like about being involved in your community?
I feel like I'm making a difference in my community. I meet so many people. When there isa need, it's good toknow who to go to. When I talk to people and cannot give them an answer, I always have another door for them to go to. And sometime that really means a lot.
Why is it important for people to serve their community?
It's important because that's what makes the community: people helping other people. That's a healthy community.
What do you hope to achieve with your community service?
I see every child as my child, every family as my family. If I could make one person smile or feed one child or help one family in some way then I've done my job. That's what a community does.
Carroll County Breaking News
How did it feel to be honored as a Good Scout of the Year?
Scouts law requires a scout to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, brave, clean and reverent. I was so humble to be honored as Good Scout of the Year because their Scouts law was the gold I set for myself. My mother would be proud.
Why would you encourage others to get involved and give back to their community?
I would encourage others to get involved because you can make better decisions – it makes a healthier community.
lauren.loricchio@carrollcountytimes.com
410-857-7862
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