Service to Community is an essential aspect of the Scout Program. Throughout the program, scouts work on various service projects and other work to benefit the community. This month we raise money to donate to Rose Glen families in need. We have had fantastic results in past years but the auction format might have been a little too rowdy. This year we will be using the pies to raise funds. These are given to Mrs. Nikolic, who distributes funds anonymously to Rose Glen Families in need. We will go over the “rules” for the fundraiser during the meeting but if you are able to donate will will accept cash, check, or payments via the website on Tuesday night.
The program builds on the concepts of Citizenship and Service to Community by highlighting them at every level. Starting with Animal Kingdom where Lions learn the role of someone that provides service to the community through Building a Better World as Arrow of Light Scouts, where the kids come to understand their role in the community.
This continues in Scouts BSA where every rank requires some amount of community service. Scouts BSA even has a honor society called Order of the Arrow which focuses on cheerful service.
In many cases, the ultimate example of a Scout’s service can be seen through their Eagle Project. This project is done for the benefit of a group or organization OUTSIDE of Scouting. In the past year, I witnessed projects to create monuments to veterans, to build an elk scratching post at the Milwaukee County Zoo, and a project to clean historical headstones at the New Berlin cemetery. It truly is impressive to see the effort these scouts put into their service to the community.
So this month, especially around the holidays, please help me emphasize the great need for service in our daily lives.