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PHOTOS: Luanne Chesley presents the District Award of Merit to Theresea Poirier, of Augusta, May 18, while Poirier’s son, Connor, looks on. Below, Poirier and Julie McKenney, Camp Bomazeen director, dressed as penguins to greet participants at last fall’s Haunted Woods program at Camp Bomazeen. (Submitted photos)
AUGUSTA — Theresea Poirier was at the Augusta Armory on May 18 to do what she normally does – volunteer for a Scouting event. She was helping behind the scenes as Scouting honored MaineGeneral and health care workers with the Distinguished Leadership Award.
Poirier, of Augusta, enjoys lending a hand in the background, so she found herself in the uneasy position of being the center of attention when she was called on stage to be recognized for her work in Scouting. She was presented the District Award of Merit, the highest award a local district can bestow on a volunteer. The award goes to those who render outstanding service of an outstanding nature at the district level. The award was presented to Poirier by Kennebec Valley District Advancement Chair Luanne Chesley, of Vassalboro.
Poirier is the chartered organization representative, serving as the voice of the Scout pack and troop at Michael Parish, and helping to organize the annual Scout Sunday Mass at St. Augustine and St. Mary. She has also been den leader, committee member and on the staff at Camp Bomazeen. She has jumped in to help during Klondike Derbies, Haunted Woods, Pinewood Derbies and Camporees. In March, Poirier organized a Scouting information booth at the Camping and RV Show at the Augusta Civic Center. When groups such as the Augusta Elks need Scouts for Flag Day ceremonies or when the American Legion is looking for Cubs to help place flags on the graves of veterans or when Honor Flight has veterans returning from Washington, D.C., Poirier makes sure Scouts show up and respectfully honor the nation and veterans.
“Her excitement to see these events succeed is infectious,” said Augusta Troop 631 Scoutmaster Russell Cahn. “Her local knowledge and extensive contact list, not to mention her cheery disposition, has resulted in tremendous community support for events, and has allowed several of them to come in significantly under budget. It seems wherever you go, you will find Theresea ready to work, smiling and having a great time.”
Camp Bomazeen Camp Director Julie McKenney, of Belgrade, agreed. “She puts other people first. She comes up with great ideas and she is always ready to jump in and help make those ideas a reality.”
Poirier’s son, Connor, added, “Mom has always been active in Scouting with me both in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. She keeps me on track and encourages me.”
“I love to see the Cubbies’ faces when they do things they have never done before,” Poirier said “I love seeing the kids doing things outdoors. Scouting is important because it opens up new opportunities for kids to do things that they might not do otherwise. They make new friends at each event.”
