Three adult Boy Scout leaders in the Great Rivers Council's Five Rivers District received the district's highest award for volunteer service.
Michelle Gabelsberger and Kent Nelson, both of Jefferson City, and John Keearns, Holts Summit, received the District Award of Merit at the district's volunteer appreciation dinner.
Gabelsberger, Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 332, is the district's Cub Scout Roundtable commissioner. She plans and leads a monthly meeting of adult Cub Scout volunteers. Gabelsberger also chaired the district's Pinewood Derby in 2014 and is the district's nominating committee.
Nelson, currently an assistant district commissioner, has served the district in a number of capacities.
He was the district's Popcorn Kernel, where he oversaw popcorn sales by Cub and Boy Scout units. Nelson has been a unit commissioner and a district committee member at-large. He is on the district camping committee and has volunteered during summer camp at Lake of the Ozarks Scout Reservation near Laurie.
Keearns is unit commissioner, a charter organization representative for Pack 9 and an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 394.
He assists the district commissioner and is a member of the district's camping committee. Keearns is actively involved in district camporees and volunteers his time to attend district committee meetings.
Other awards presented during the event included the Spark Plug, given to those scouters who provide a "spark" to their units; the Silent Service, which honors individuals who volunteer behind the scenes; and recognition to unit commissioners who provided excellent service to the units they assist.
Spark Plug recipients included: Tony Berhorst, Troop 5; Rachel Busche, Pack 332; Michael Crocker and Douglas Fees, both of Troop 11; Lynne Kempker, Troop 10; Paul Kleffner and Jack Wright, both of Troop 6; and Craig Mosley, Troop 5.
Mike Busche, Pack 332, and Fred Mackay, Troop 11, received Silent Service Awards.
Unit commissioner awards went to: Stan Stevens, Cameron Freiner, Ken Barnes, Timi Barnes, Steve Hubble, Ed Kniest, Ron Mobley Jr., John Steiner, John Young, Dave Harris, Kevin Bagby, Mike Flanagan, Keearns, Keith McQueen, Nelson, Cliff Olsen, Larry Orscheln and Carl Porting.