Girl Scouts of Nassau County Honors Freeport Volunteers

FREEPORT, NEW YORK (AUGUST 2023) — Girl Scouts of Nassau County (GSNC) honored Freeport residents Jennifer Muschett, Katherine Catellanos, Colleen Haithman, Carole James and Deborah Newton at its 2023 Annual Adult Recognitions Award Ceremony and Dinner. The annual event recognizes and celebrates the adult volunteers who go above and beyond for their service to Girl Scouts of Nassau County and to their communities. Ms. Muschett, Ms. Catellanos, Ms. Haithman, Ms. James and Ms. Newton were among 100 honorees throughout Nassau County.

“Girl Scouts of Nassau County could not thrive without the hard work, commitment and support of all our community volunteers. Each honoree recognized at our Adult Recognitions Award Ceremony and Dinner has made a significant impact on our organization and help shape the Girl Scout experience for the girls we serve. Thanks to their contributions, we are able to continue building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place,” said Randell Bynum, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County.

Jennifer Muschett was awarded the GSUSA Appreciation Pin and SUVM Rising Star Certificate for her outstanding contributions to the Girl Scout Movement, both toward her troop and to any troops she encounters. Ms. Muschett leads a large troop in the Baldwin Association and has always been collaborative with other troops and leaders in the association. During the pandemic, she found creative ways to keep her troop active and invited other troops to join in on activities over Zoom. Most recently, she took on the role of the SUVM of the Baldwin Association and always relays information from meetings to those who can’t make them. She goes above and beyond to ensure all Girl Scouts have a wonderful experience and she consistently displays professionalism, resourcefulness and kindness.

Katherine Catellanos and Amanda Davis earned the GSNC Spirit Award for demonstrating excellent leadership to their Girl Scouts. Ms. Davis juggles her commitment with raising toddlers and managing her business as an interior designer. She brings her craftiness and design skills to her troop and was the brain behind the Freeport Busy Bees’ themed sneakers, which the troop custom-made using funds from Girl Scout Cookie sales.

Colleen Haithman and Crystal Peterkin were honored with the GSUSA Appreciation Pin and Courage, Character & Confidence Certificate. Ms. Haithman always plans fun and engaging events as a service unit manager and troop leader. She listens to the needs and goals of her girls and includes them in her ideas. Ms. Peterkin is always seeking ways to involve her troop in local activities and events within the community. She teaches girls to not be afraid to identify problems and find ways to solve them.

Carol James, who earned the GSNC Longevity Pin, started her service with GSNC by creating a troop for her daughters to join. She eventually took on many roles, including troop Cookie Chair and the Freeport Association’s Delegate, Delegate Chair and Alternate Delegate. She also got involved with the local school PTA and sports’ booster clubs. She pursued opportunities for Freeport troops such as decorating the Freeport High School football field for homecoming, setting up the "snack shack" at home football games and creating peace ribbons for Freeport’s peace marches in the fall and spring.

Deborah Newton, who earned the GSUSA Appreciation Pin, balances a demanding work schedule with her commitment to GSNC. She always helps prepare events and manages supplies, even when she can’t be there herself.

For more information on our GSNC volunteer opportunities and how to get involved, visit https://www.gsnc.org/en/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/ways-to-volunteer.html.

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We Are Girl Scouts: Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs in Nassau County, across Long Island and from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alumni, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org.