Maryland Volunteer Recognized At National Conference

The Young Marines, a national youth organization, has named Elliot Ganson the “Division 2 Adult Volunteer of the Year.” He is a resident of Harford County, Maryland, and he is the executive officer for the Hamilton Young Marines. The unit, which serves Baltimore, meets at 8707 Melissa Lilian Ct., Nottingham, Maryland.

Commanded by Michael Behringer, the unit has 33 Young Marines and 12 registered adult volunteers. The website is: https://www.hamiltonyoungmarines.com/

Each Young Marine unit is led and guided by adult volunteers. There are nearly 2,500 registered adult volunteers with the organization. Annually, one adult volunteer is selected from each of six divisions for “Volunteer of the Year.”

“We have a very close-knit group of dedicated adult volunteers,” Ganson said. “We are not just professional colleagues within the Young Marines program, we are friends outside of the program. I think this makes our unit more successful. We are also in the unique situation of having a former National Young Marine of the Year as part of our unit. She is an asset and gives a unique perspective when leading the Young Marines.”

This past year the members of the Hamilton Young Marines have participated in multiple encampments, both on the unit level and with its Battalion. The unit supports Toys for Tots which is one of its largest community service events. The unit has provided color guards for the March of Dimes and Baltimore Chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association. At the end of May, Hamilton Young Marines participated in the annual Memorial Day parade in Washington, D.C.

“I think the most important thing is that we’re helping to develop young people into good citizens and strong leaders in their communities,” Ganson said. “We are providing a strong foundation of knowledge, life skills, and core values for each Young Marine that each will take with her or him far beyond the Young Marine program.

“Elliot is an extremely dedicated volunteer who truly enjoys seeing his Young Marines grow into responsible citizens,” said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “He is event driven and action oriented, and he truly reflects the caliber of volunteer to which we always aspire to lead our Young Marines."

For more information about the Hamilton Young Marines, call Elliot Ganson at 443-801-7178.

About the Young Marines

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 264 units with 8,500 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.

For more information, visit the official website at: https://www.YoungMarines.com.