BRIAN & JO ANN BARRETT

Brian and Jo Ann Barrett volunteer their time, talents, and money to Girl Scouts of Othaki Council, Mississipi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship, and to area school systems such as Notre Dame High School and St. Vincent de Paul School. The Barrett’s are enormous assets for the Girl Scouts, working at both the troop and council levels. They have served as committee members of troops 25 and 45 for 18 years, accumulating nearly 900 hours of work; and as Brownie leaders of troop 45 for one year, they have accumulated 60 hours. Being troop leader and committee member involves planning and implementing programs at troop meetings, ensuring the safety of the girls, transporting girls to events, and communicating with parents. At the council level, the Barretts served as coordinators of “Third Grade Brownie Holiday” for the past three years and “Goblin Getaway” last year. These programs include organizing and planning activities for the Girl Scout Council, which includes eleven counties in Missouri and Illinois. They have served as wranglers and head wranglers for the council’s horseback riding program for six years, which involves teaching girls of all ages to ride horses as well as providing them with information regarding saddles and equipment, horse care, and horse temperament. When girls are taught horseback riding, they build confidence and self-esteem. Additionally, the Barretts have served on the Camping Service Operating Unit for three years and helped with the Cherokee Ridge Work Day for five years. Furthermore, the Barretts donate their time to raise money for two local school systems. For the past ten years, they have helped with the St. Vincent de Paul Grade School Dinner Auction and have also been volunteering with the Notre Dame High School Bingo weekly for four years. The Barretts have given 75 hours of service to the Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship program that benefits children with physical and developmental disabilities involving muscles. They lead horses, aid as side walkers, and assist the therapists and children in therapy on the horses. It would be impossible to count the number of people the Barretts have served or helped to serve. They go above and beyond the call of duty working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of children of all ages, disabilities, and backgrounds. Without people like them, many of these activities would not be available because the organizations rely heavily on volunteers in order to exist. Brian and Jo Ann are for the betterment of society no matter what the temperature is, how much time it takes, or what challenges are brought before them.