BIG SPRING For National Volunteer Week (April 18–24), the Young Marines honored Carrie Rodman with the Adult Volunteer of the Year award for Division 4. She is the Executive Officer and Adjutant with the Cross Roads Young Marines in Big Spring.
Rodman has volunteered more than 3,500 community service hours through the Young Marines.
The Young Marines is a national youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. It promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Division 4 includes nine states: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming.
“Carrie’s passion and determination really stand out in all she has done for her unit as well as for the organization,” Col. William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines, said. “It is especially meaningful to present this award during April which is National Volunteer Month. Carrie is a wonderful mentor and teacher, reflecting all the best traits of our volunteers.”
The Young Marines teaches parents and staff to be proactive in a child’s life instead of reactive. Rodman feels she and the adult volunteers have accomplished something very significant if they can keep at least one young person on the right path, instill respect and values, and teach how to say no to drugs.
“It makes me truly proud to give back to these kids and their parents and to be recognized for the hours we put in as volunteers,” she said.
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(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 235 units with 7,500 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Okinawa with affiliates in other countries.
For more information about Cross Roads Young Marines, call Carrie Rodman at 325-232-0551 or email [email protected] or visit www.YoungMarines.com.
