Small Town News

100 years later, Troop 24 needs funds

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This year we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of William D. Boyce establishing Scouting in the United States. When many think of Boy Scouts, often Norman Rockwell prints of young boys in green uniforms attempting to start a fire with two pieces of wood or assisting an old lady across the street come to mind; however, there is much more.

This organization has directly touched the lives of over 100 million youth through its Cub Scout, Webe-lo, Boy Scout, Explorer, Sea Scout, Venture and other programs.

After World War I, though not yet a decade old, they rendered nationwide assistance during the influenza epidemic. As early as the 1920s, they encouraged the handicapped to join their ranks. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, they mobilized at the request of President Roosevelt and collected over 1.8 million items to help the needy. World War II saw the government once again asking for their assistance on the home front, collecting reusable materials for the war effort. The 1960s found a focus on inner city youth, "Project SOAR" (Save Our American Resources) in the 1970s, the 1990s saw a renewed emphasis on helping low income and minority communities, and in the 2000s they joined the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and Habitat For Humanity to address the issues of hunger, homeless-ness and poor health.

From their ranks have come five United States presidents, the first man to walk on the moon, two members of the ill-fated Shuttle Challenger crew, Olympic gold medalists, professional athletes, leaders. in the world of business, renowned humanitarians, acclaimed actors, musicians, movie producers/directors, recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the young man from our own Boy Scout Troop 24, who on April 3, 2010 bore his unit's flag side by side with members of the American Legion to honor the passing of his troop's former Scout Master, Lew Armstrong.

Each of these and millions of others have gone on to exemplify the Boy Scout values of honesty, integrity, service to their fellow man and country. On March 10, 2010 an appeal ran on the editorial page of The Star requesting donations to assist Troop 24 with their operation expenses. As of last Saturday, Troop 24 still was far from achieving its funding goals. In the weeks to come they are planning various fund raisers, which all are encouraged to support.

We at Strate Funeral Home have made a special financial donation to Troop 24 and are challenging our fellow businesses to join with us in supporting these youth.



Copyright 2010 The Star, Grand Coulee, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Star Grand Coulee, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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