For Ken and Sandra Balough, being involved with the Girl Scouts is a commitment to the future.
The couple along with other volunteers and staff deliver on that pledge by working with the girls to help them realize their potential.
The Ebensburg couple have been involved with the organization for more than a decade, serving in a variety of capacities.
Both have been recognized with the Volunteer Appreciation Award for their service.
The Baloughs serve on the Service Unit Team for their area, helping to plan various activities for girls in 19 troops in the Ebensburg area. The team also trains new troop leaders.
Sandra Balough has been the leader for Junior Troop 40701 in Ebensburg the past five years and her husband is a past leader of a troop in Ebensburg.
Both also are leaders with the Girl Scouts Day Camp program at Camp Conshatawba, located near Summerhill.
“The Girl Scouts encourage and promote the same ideals as the Boy Scouts,” said Ken Balough, an Eagle Scout and teacher at Altoona Area High School.
“They focus on building character and building leadership skills.
“It gives girls opportunities to try new things such as camping, learning about their community and helping others.”
The Baloughs became involved in the Girl Scouts about a dozen years ago when their oldest daughter, Anita, now a student at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, joined the organization.
Their other daughter, Jessica, is a member of Junior Troop 40701.
Sandra Balough said she was a Girl Scout and thus knows how the organization benefits girls.
“It enables them to make new friends and learn leadership skills,” said the dean of library services at St. Francis University, Loretto. “It teaches them to lead but to also let others lead.
“It also gives them the opportunity to experience things that they never have before.”
Sandra Balough said she has wonderful girls in her troop, a great assistant leader and caring parents who volunteer to help.
The couple said that the members of their Service Unit Team are dedicated to the organization.
The Baloughs also are active members at First United Church of Christ in Ebensburg.
Both teach Sunday school with Ken Balough serving as a deacon and Sandra Balough singing in the choir and a member on the search committee for a new pastor.
For their efforts, the Baloughs are the Persons of the Week.
Tracey Giger, membership manager at the Johnstown office of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, said the mission of the Girl Scouts is to inspire girls to do great things.
Leaders such as the Baloughs are good role models and an inspiration to the girls with whom they work, she said.
Carol Kuhar, a Girl Scout leader from Jackson Township and a member of the Service Unit Team, said the Baloughs enjoy working with the girls and are instrumental in planning activities for the troops.
Joyce Hockenberry, Sandra Balough’s assistant leader, said the Baloughs are knowledgeable about the Girl Scouts and never hesitate to get involved with any aspect of the organization.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Ken and Sandra Balough of Ebensburg are the Persons of the Week for their involvement and dedication to the Girl Scouts. They got involved with the organization a dozen years ago when their oldest daughter joined a troop. Randy Griffith
Discussion
Persons of the week: Couple dedicated to area Girl Scouts
- Local News
-
-
Richland manufacturer showcases expansion
Business and government leaders gathered Monday at a Richland Township manufacturing company to celebrate the expansion of its export business, made possible through some cooperative government programs.
-
New jury to hear Blair case
The 12 jury members and two alternates chosen nearly a month ago to decide the fate of Nicholas Adam Horner were excused on Monday by Blair County President Judge Jolene Kopriva.
-
Blogging with heart
Launching into the second week of American Heart Month, I'm looking at stories on the leading-edge treatment options and how local heart specialists are helping patients live longer.
-
Marijuana bust: Police seeking runaway seize dozens of pot plants
City police looking for a runaway juvenile stumbled onto a marijuana “grow operation,” seized more than 40 pot plants and arrested two apartment house neighbors.
-
Former speaker convicted
A jury on Monday convicted a senior Democrat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on all but one of six charges in the latest corruption trial stemming from a five-year investigation into the use of taxpayers’ resources for political purposes.
-
‘Dramatic’ Pa. budget cuts expected
Top state senators say they expect Gov. Tom Corbett to propose a budget plan today that relies on cuts in spending for education and social services to balance sluggish tax collections and the rising costs of pensions and debt.
-
ACRP seeks partners for neighborhood gardens
A few years ago, the Alternative Community Resource Program and its partners planted a garden alongside Napoleon Street in a move to fill both hungry stomachs and a need for neighborhood rejuvenation.
-
‘Hope for the future’: Workshops offer confidence boost to cancer patients
Chances are when you look good you feel better about yourself.
-
Police Roundup: Martindale man accused of trying to enter cars at Portage dealership
A Portage-area man has been charged with criminal attempt at theft after state police said he was discovered trying to enter three vehicles in the parking lot of Stager’s Chevrolet.
-
In brief: Fire destroys windmill turbine
Fire destroyed a windmill turbine at the Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm on top of the mountain in Blair County between Blue Knob and Lilly on Monday morning.
- More Local News Headlines
-
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
