Scouts Collect Items for Adopt-A-Soldier Program Resulting in 143 Packages Shipped Overseas to Deployed Soldiers

([ Portland], [Or], [05/03/04])—To date, youth from the Boy Scouts of America, Cascade Pacific Council have collected over $435 and enough items to send 143 packages overseas to deployed soldiers with a total combined weight of 920 pounds. Scouts are still urged to write letters of encouragement to soldiers and collect specific items for care packages for the Adopt-A-Soldier program, and drop them off at the barrels located at the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America, Service Center ( 2145 SW Naito Parkway). Once enough items are collected, Scouts are encouraged to help assemble the packages for distribution.

The following items are needed:

 For those providing cash donations, please make checks out to “Family Programs.” Units should attach a list of Scout names to collections (forms located at collection sites) as the Washington National Guard will provide each Scout a certificate and/or letter of appreciation. A plaque will also be displayed at the Portland Council Service Center with names of participating Scouts. This is an ongoing effort, so it is not too late to participate.  

For information, contact Sherry McVey at 503-225-5704. Local businesses/schools/charities are encouraged to participate in this effort.

About the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America

The Cascade Pacific Council ranks among the nation’s largest Scout councils (out of 319) in terms of membership. The Cascade Pacific Council serves more than 47,889 youth in 18 counties in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and is supported by more than 15,902 adult volunteer mentors.

Local Boy Scouts of America Accomplishments
This last year (2003) Scouts of the Cascade Pacific Council reached out to the community and achieved the following outstanding accomplishments:

Goodwill/Good Turn – Scouts collected 362,895 pounds of usable clothing and household goods for Goodwill Industries in 2004. Over the past ten years, 4.2 million pounds have been collected.

Camping Program – TheCascade Pacific Council has one of the strongest outdoor camping programs in the country, camping 11,000 boys at seven summer resident camps and ten day camps last year.

Scouting for Food – Scouts collected 519,766 pounds of food for local hunger relief agencies through the Scouting for Food drive in December 2003.

Guy Miller Tree Plant – Over 2,500 youth and family members planted nearly 37,500 tree seedlings in our forests and neighborhoods in support of the Guy Miller Tree Plant program. Since 1977, this program has accounted for the planting of more than 2 million trees.

Violence Free Spring Break – In partnership with the Portland Police Bureau, the Police Activities League, Multnomah County, Boys and Girls Club, and other organizations, the Cascade Pacific Council has planned, coordinated and staffed special events like “Violence Free Spring Break.” Over 375 youth were served for this event alone. These events use Scouting facilities and curriculums to deliver positive, values-based programs.

Outreach – Over $29,930 in scholarships was awarded to over 536 youth members for summer camp.

Boy Scouts of America - Connecting youth with communities and families.