The 2024 George Watkins Citizen of the Year award honors Dr. Cindy Bennett, superintendent of Vance County Schools. The awards dinner will be held Thursday, May 16 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Henderson Country Club.

The goal of the awards dinner is to bring more than 100 top leaders in business and the community to celebrate the honoree, and to raise $75,000 to support Scouting programs in the Occoneechee Council, which includes Vance and Granville counties.

Tickets are $50 each, but sponsorships also are available, according to information from Event Chair Ronald Bennett, vice president of Supply Chain at Variety Wholesalers, Inc. and the number of tickets to the dinner depends on the sponsorship level.

Through Scouting, local youth develop character, citizenship, leadership, patriotism, self-reliance and personal fitness. Proceeds from the fundraiser help remove financial barriers for youth to participate in Scouting and provide additional outreach programs to serve at-risk youth in our most under-served communities throughout the Occoneechee Council.

The award is presented annually to extraordinary community leaders in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the quality of life in the Eno River District and who best exemplify the Scout Oath Law.

Sponsorship levels are:

· Golden Eagle – $10,000

· Silver eagle $7,500

· Benefactor Sponsor $5,000

· Eagle Sponsor $2,500

· President’s Circle $1,200

· 2 Scout Sponsor – $600

· 1 Scout Sponsor – $300

To obtain a copy of the sponsor application – click here – or contact Adam VanStedum at the BSA Occoneechee Council office in Raleigh at 919.500.6445 or adam.vanstedum@scouting.org.

CLICK PLAY!