W. Duke Kimbrell received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award on May 9 at Gaston Country Club.

Kimbrell is the chairman of Parkdale Mills in Gaffney and an active volunteer with the Piedmont Boy Scouts, which includes Polk County.
The award is granted to Eagle Scouts who, after 25 years, have distinguished themselves through voluntarily sharing their knowledge and talents with their community.
“Duke has always been an inspiration to others, but tonight, he was recognized for being the definition of what it means to be a Scout,” said Jim Poag, vice president of the Piedmont Council Boy Scouts.
Also announced at the event was the Piedmont Council’s new Scout Camp Expansion Fund in honor of Kimbrell. The goal is $300,000, and Parkdale Mills is providing matching funds.
Piedmont Council Scout Executive David Allen said, “Camping is such an important part of the Boy Scouts experience. It’s where our young men learn leadership, teamwork and self reliance. We wanted to honor Duke by establishing a fund that could keep his legacy going strong.”
The Piedmont Council Boy Scouts of America serves 11 counties in North Carolina including: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell, Polk and Rutherfordton. For more information on the Piedmont Council Boy Scouts of America, visit www.piedmontcouncilbsa.org.
– article submitted by Ann Ittoop