San Diego's Susan Righthouse Wins National Volunteerism Award

San Diego CA

26 May, 2021

9:12 PM

Description

The Young Marines, a national youth organization, named Susan M. Righthouse the "National Adult Volunteer of the Year." She is the executive officer with the Miramar Young Marines in San Diego. The announcement was made at the annual Young Marines' Adult Leaders Conference held May 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Righthouse volunteered more than 6,000 community service hours through the Young Marines. During the pandemic, she and her unit created a successful virtual program to keep Young Marines engaged and motivated. The unit offered online classes to more than 1,300 Young Marines from 46 units across the country. "I am a volunteer at heart and always want to give back to my community," she said. "I like what the Young Marines is about, and I like watching Young Marines grow through the years. Their 'A-HA' moments are particularly gratifying." Each Young Marine unit is led and guided by adult volunteers. No military participation – past or present - is required. There are 2,500 adult volunteers with the youth organization. Annually, one adult volunteer is selected from each of six divisions for "Division Volunteer of the Year." Then, from the six divisions, one is awarded the "National Volunteer of the Year." "Susan's passion and determination really stand out in all she has done for her unit as well as for the organization," said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. "The Young Marines organization is truly grateful to Susan as she is a wonderful mentor and teacher to the youth members. Susan accentuates all the important qualities we look for in our Adult Volunteers, she guides the Young Marines to be productive, caring community members." Righthouse began with the Young Marines in 2013. Her passion is working with and helping children. Proof of this is her former 30-year career as a detective with the San Diego Police Department. For 20 of those years, she investigated child abuse and served on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. She also was a Girl Scout troop leader for 13 years. Righthouse feels that the Young Marines' success is because of the support, dedication, and tireless efforts of the adult volunteers. For more information about the Miramar Young Marines, call Susan Righthouse at 858-538-7443 or email: [email protected]. About the Young Marines The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 235 units with 7,500 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Okinawa with affiliates in other countries. For more information, visit the website at https://www.YoungMarines.com.