CAN DO President W. Kevin O’Donnell received the 2014 Distinguished Citizen of the Year award from the Anthracite District of Boy Scouts of America during the organization’s Hazleton Area Friends of Scouting Dinner on Thursday.

The Distinguished Citizen Award recognizes individuals who set a positive example for others and demonstrate selfless concern and care for their communities.

Lisa Finkelstein, district executive for the Minsi Trails Council of the Anthracite District, said, “The traits that Kevin has shown in his business and community leadership exemplify the values of the Scout oath: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. It is an honor to count Kevin among the ranks of our Boy Scout Distinguished Citizens.”

O’Donnell said, “My experiences with Scouting have given me a great understanding, respect and appreciation for the Boy Scouts and their volunteers. Looking back, I can see how Scouting helped instill good values in young people. Scout leaders continue to impart those values and teach valuable skills today, which is why it’s important for all of us to support Scouting in our communities.”

O’Donnell also addressed the Boy Scouts in attendance at the dinner, saying, “The virtues I’ve mentioned tonight are ones that never go out of style. They’ll be useful to you in school, in college, in a career and beyond. You are learning practical skills in combination with morals – lessons that will last a lifetime.

“You are the young men who, along with the young women in Girl Scouts, are the leaders of tomorrow. You are learning to be adaptable in a variety of changing situations in an ever-changing world. You are fortunate to be Boy Scouts, and we are fortunate to have Scouts like you,” he said.

O’Donnell marked his 40th anniversary with CAN DO last year. “I am grateful to be a part of an organization that affords me the opportunity to do good things for our community,” he said.

He is post leader for the newly established Boy Scouts Explorer Post 924, which formed at CAN DO to provide a means for area students to learn about business and industry, as well as career opportunities in Greater Hazleton.

O’Donnell’s additional Boy Scout experience includes serving as treasurer for Cub Scout Pack 63 in St. Johns. As a youth, O’Donnell was a member of Cub Scout Pack 63, Boy Scout Troop 63 and the Hazleton Civil Air Patrol.

O’Donnell is active in many other community organizations as a volunteer, including board memberships and offices held. He serves on the boards of many local, regional and national economic development groups. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in technical management and an associate’s degree in architecture.

O’Donnell and his wife, Maureen, have three children, Ryan, Courtney and Erin, and two grandchildren.

The Anthracite District of Minsi Trails Council provides leadership and character development programs to more than 700 youth with 230 adult volunteers. The district serves young people throughout White Haven, Weatherly, Freeland, Beaver Meadows, West Hazleton, Hazleton, Hazle Township, McAdoo, Nuremberg, Conyngham and Drums. To learn more about Scouting in the Hazleton area, visit www.minsitrails.com or to find a nearby unit, visit www.BeAScout.org.

Minsi Trails Council provides leadership and character development programs to nearly 11,000 youth with 5,000 adult volunteers. The council serves young people throughout Greater Hazleton, the Pocono Mountains and the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania along with western New Jersey and serves six counties: Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Carbon, Luzerne and Wayne counties.

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth program focused on character development and leadership training. The Scouting organization is composed of 2.7 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 20, 1.1 million volunteers, and nearly 300 local councils throughout the United States and its territories.