For Immediate Release- March 31, 2008
Contact: Shelly Grimes
(317) 925-1900 ofc.
(317) 946-6999 cell
sgrimes@crossroadsbsa.org
Boy Scouts Honor outstanding Hoosiers at Awards Dinner
Indianapolis, Ind., March 31, 2008— Boy Scouts of America, Crossroads of America Council will recognize three Hoosiers for their outstanding service to the community at the annual Scouting Awards Dinner: Bob Palmer, vice president and general manager of air-ground & freight services of FedEx Express, Air-Ground & Freight Services; Former Indiana First Lady Judy O’Bannon; and Max Schumacher, chairman of the board and president of the Indianapolis Indians.
The Scouting Awards Dinner, now in its 24th year, will be held Thursday, April 3 at the downtown Westin Indianapolis. Reception will begin at 6:15 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The Scouting Awards Dinner is sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and the Indianapolis Indians. All proceeds from the event will benefit Scouting programs within Crossroads of America’s 25 county area in central Indiana.
Palmer will be presented with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, a national award presented by a local Scout council to a man who earned his Eagle Award at least 25 years previously —the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve—and who has distinguished himself in his career or community. In addition to his work with FedEx, Palmer is actively involved with many community organizations, including serving on the board of the Boy Scouts of America Crossroads of America Council, Workforce Development, Junior Achievement, Conexus, Clarian West Medical Center, The Indy Partnership, the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Kelley School of Business, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and the University of Indianapolis.
O’Bannon and Schumacher will both be presented with the Thomas W. Moses Good Scout Award, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to our community, state, or nation, and who exemplifies Scouting values. Thomas W. Moses was a civic leader and businessman who lived in Indianapolis for 30 years until his death in 1986. Moses’ mantra was, “Be nice to everyone, because it’s the most important thing you can do with your life.”
O’Bannon, Indiana’s first lady from 1997-2003, is the host of the Emmy-winning WFYI-TV series Communities Building Community, which brings attention to the ways Hoosiers are strengthening their communities in Indiana and worldwide. In addition to serving on several local and national boards and serving as chairman of the board of The O’Bannon Publishing Company, she has traveled to more than 30 countries in the past decade to help connect community leaders in Indiana with community building efforts around the globe.
Schumacher, who began his career in professional baseball as ticket manager for the Indians in 1957, was elected president and chairman of the board of the Indians in 1969 and 1997, respectively. He is past-president of the Indianapolis Downtown Kiwanis Club, and is a former member and president of the Indianapolis Kiwanis Foundation Board of Directors. He is a past board president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis and is a member of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He has received numerous professional and community service awards throughout his career.
Boy Scouts of America is a youth development organization that’s designed to prepare young people to make ethical and moral decisions throughout their lifetimes. The goals of Scouting consist of citizenship training, character development and personal fitness. Throughout the Boy Scout program, young people are encouraged to advance through ranks by fulfilling requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills. To get more information on Scouting, call (317) 925-1900 or 877-925-1900 (toll free) or visit www.crossroadsbsa.org.
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