The Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida recently recognized longtime volunteer Carolyn “Ocean” Friedman and awarded her the esteemed Lifetime Service Award.
Introduced in 2014, this prestigious honor is awarded to volunteers who have made extraordinary contributions to the Girl Scout mission, who give their time and talents generously through consistent and far-reaching acts of volunteerism that have strengthened the organization and shaped the lives of countless young women.
“We are so fortunate to experience the outcomes of extraordinary volunteers, like Ocean, who give, and give, and give to Girl Scouts,” said Lisa Johnson, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. “She exemplifies a life lived with volunteer service at the heart. Lucky for us, her heart is deep green, and Girl Scouts will be all the better for having known her.”
A lifelong champion of volunteerism, Friedman has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles within Girl Scouts, including as a troop leader, trainer and mentor. Her passion for guiding young girls, with a special affinity for leading Daisies, has provided them with an exceptional start with Girl Scouts.
Friedman has also been instrumental in supporting fellow volunteers, offering orientation for new leaders and sharing her extensive knowledge and experience to help others succeed. She is also known for organizing engaging programs, including her legendary Fire Circles, an outdoor experience that introduces young Girl Scouts to fire safety, songs, games, night hikes and more. She is a past recipient of the Volunteer of Excellence Award and has received the Thanks Badge and the Thanks Badge II, which is the highest recognition a Girl Scout volunteer can earn.
“I always knew Girl Scouts was an organization I wanted my daughters to be part of, but I never imagined how much it would become a part of me,” Friedman said. “Volunteering has given me the opportunity to watch girls grow into strong, confident women who go on to become community leaders, teachers and professionals.”
A recent report from AmeriCorps estimates that more than 75 million people formally volunteered through an organization in 2023, giving almost five billion hours of volunteer service.
“The time and talent that our volunteers dedicate to positively impacting the lives of girls is truly priceless,” Johnson said. “We have a long and proud tradition of volunteer service in Girl Scouting. After all, volunteering brings us closer together as families, as neighbors, as communities and as a movement. We are surrounded by individuals who volunteer with Girl Scouts in dozens of capacities with countless others across our six counties, ultimately influencing the lives of thousands of girls each year.”
For more information about the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida and volunteer opportunities, visit www.gssef.org/en/get-involved/become-a-volunteer.html.
