Boy Scouts to Honor Larry & Anita Wolgast as Distinguished Citizens

The Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America has named Larry and Anita Wolgast as recipients of the 2018 Distinguished Citizen Award. The Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner honors individuals in our community for their efforts in making a distinct difference in the fabric of our community. The honorees' community involvement touches lives and improves the quality of life for all.

"Larry and Anita epitomize the attributes of Distinguished Citizens in our community. While each have their own accomplishments, they have worked in tandem to benefit the Topeka community for many years," said Phil Elwood, President of the Jayhawk Area Council Board. "It is a privilege to honor them with this distinction."

The Wolgasts will be recognized at an evening banquet on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at the Ramada Inn Downtown.

Mrs. Wolgast has long been passionate for the betterment of the Topeka community, beginning when she was tapped to chair the Carousel in the Park Committee to restore an antique carousel. This led to an appreciation for helping to lead fundraising efforts in many other community projects, most recently co-chairing the Heartland Visioning's Quality of Life Committee to develop an arts district, resulting in the NOTO Arts District.

Mr. Wolgast has served the community on both state and local levels in addition to his involvement with many local non-profits. He retired as Vice-President of Development, Menninger.  He served as City Councilman before being elected Mayor in 2013.  During his tenure as Mayor, he is credited with providing the leadership that created a positive climate resulting in a renaissance and civic progress in Topeka, including the successful four-block renovation of Kansas Avenue.

"We are humbled and thrilled to join the impressive list of Topekans who have received this prestigious recognition from the Jayhawk Area Council, We recognize the importance of supporting the valuable programming of the Scouts.  It is especially meaningful that it coordinates with the year that girls are being brought into the Cub Scout Programs." - Larry and Anita Wolgast

Anita and Larry have two sons, both Eagle Scouts, and five grandchildren.

To sponsor or attend the event, interested parties may visit www.jayhawkcouncil.org/DCD<http://www.jayhawkcouncil.org/DCD> for more information.  Greg Schwerdt, Owner/Principal, Schwerdt Design Group, is leading fundraising efforts for the 2018 Distinguished Citizen Dinner.

Larry and Anita Wolgast join a distinguished group of citizens from Northeast Kansas to receive this award.  Past recipients include Anderson Chandler, Louis B. Falley, John Hambleton Abrahams, Georgia Neese Gray, Joseph A. Thompson, Dean Hodges, Marjorie C. Schnacke, James W. Porter, Howard T. Paul, Frank C. Sabatini, John E. Hayes, Jr., Howard R. Fricke, Robert C. Wheeler, Steven J. Douglass, Governor Bill Graves, John C. Dicus, John B. Dicus, Dean Ferrell, Duane Fager, Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Maynard Oliverius,  Nancy Perry, Dr. Jerry Farley, Dale Cushinberry, Jim Parrish, Dr. Walt Menninger, William B. Moore, John Stauffer, Dr. Kent Palmberg, Ed Hughes, Governor Sam Brownback, The Founders of Advisors Excel Cody Foster, David Callanan and Derek Thompson and most recently Butch Eaton and Jim Klausman.

Proceeds benefit the Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America and the 5,300+ youth they serve annually.

Headquartered in Topeka, KS, the Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit is celebrating 100 years of First Class Scouting.  Scouting aims to provide unique personal growth opportunities to an ever-increasing number of youth, helping them mature into adults whose values are embodied in the Scout Oath and Law.  The core of this singular movement is focused on fostering development of values-centered lives through character development, personal fitness, citizenship, employability, and service to others.