GILROY
– Longtime Gilroy resident and community supporter Tim Day will
be among an honored group of adults to receive the highest award
given to a volunteer Boy Scout leader – the Silver Beaver
Award.
GILROY – Longtime Gilroy resident and community supporter Tim Day will be among an honored group of adults to receive the highest award given to a volunteer Boy Scout leader – the Silver Beaver Award.
“It’s an award with a long rich history, and Tim will be among a unique and small group of people. Other recipients include Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, and Gerald R. Ford,” said Frank Erickson, Scout executive at the San Jose Council. “Tim was nominated by his peers for this award. He is someone who makes a real impact in his community.”
Each year, the council awards Silver Beaver Awards to seven volunteers out of the 5,000 in the San Jose area.
Day is currently chairman of the Gavilan District for the Santa Clara County Council. He has also served as district commissioner, Explorer Scout Post adviser and as the district’s scouting fund drive chairman.
Day got his love of scouting as a Boy Scout himself. Growing up near the tomato fields of the then small town of Canoga Park, a suburb of Los Angeles, was not enough of a wilderness experience, and he joined Scouts to explore his love of camping. His mother and father helped in the Boy Scouts, and his brother was involved, too. But it was his first scouting master, Roy Haunstein, who was to influence Day’s commitment to scouting for more than 25 years.
“He was like so many men, not wealthy but he loved boys. He took the time and energy to help turn boys into men,” Day said. “He set a wonderful example for caring about others. Scouting gives a boy ideals – love of God, country and fellow man. It’s about service to others.”
Day became a Scout leader himself in 1979.
“I was a young serviceman stationed in Oklahoma, and there was a group of boys at my church running wild. My pastor pointed to me and said, ‘you’re the new Scout master.’ My first troop was a group of six ragamuffin boys. I enjoy working with young people. Whatever the need has been I’m happy to help.”
“Frankly, I’m surprised that Tim hasn’t received the Silver Beaver Award before this,” said Bob Kraemer, who was one of three people to nominate Tim. “He is a part of Gilroy. He’s a good organizer, motivator, and he’s conscientious. If you need to get something done, Tim is the person to call because he’ll deliver.”
Day was recently appointed to the City’s Planning Commission. He is also a director of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Rotary Club. He has held many positions of responsibility in his church, The Church of Latter Day Saints in Morgan Hill. He owns an insurance business in Gilroy.
“I’ve known Tim for several years in Rotary, volunteering for Scouts, and we go to the same church. I nominated him for this award because he has excellent leadership qualities and is absolutely dependable,” Gene Wells said. “Tim is highly thought of throughout the community. This award is given for going above and beyond.”
“I’ve never learned to say no,” Day said. “Someone says they need help, and I’m ready to help.”
Day is honored to receive the Silver Beaver Award.
“It brought tears to my eyes. This award is very meaningful to me. It’s not something you can apply for; it’s a recognition by other people for your contributions.”
But there are other awards. Among them, he said, is “seeing the boys I’ve met become the type of men you’d like your daughter to marry.”
His daughter Christine did marry an Eagle Scout, and Day’s sons are involved in scouting as well. His wife Irene is also active in working with young women in the community.
“Scouting develops self-esteem and character. It also develops the desire to help others, the ability to relate to their families and have a devotion to church work. Those kind of awards are perpetuating.”
Day will receive his Silver Beaver Award at the Annual Recognition Dinner of the Santa Clara County Boy Scouts of America on Feb. 6.
