Community Corner

Popcorn Fundraiser a Learning Experience for Fair Haven Boy Scouts

Troop 125 did way more than raise money outside the ACME on Saturday.

Fair Haven Boy Scout Troop 125 helped the community as they fundraised outside of the on River Road this past Saturday.

In total, 22 Scouts participated in the Blitz Sale. The boys sold about $1,500 worth of popcorn and received another $600 in monetary donations, $100 of which will go directly to shipping popcorn to our military personnel serving overseas.

But the day was not only about selling popcorn and raising money. The scouts also found ways to serve the community while at the event.

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"During the day many opportunities arose where the boys helped their neighbors in need as they asked for support for their growing troop," said Annie di Domenico, Troop 125 Popcorn Kernel. "The boys took it upon themselves to help out ACME by returning all stray carts from the parking lot. They helped folks load groceries into their cars and made friends with small children passing through their tent by reading and playing with them."

Being set up between two handicap parking spaces kept them busy as well. The boys found themselves helping people with special needs get out of their cars and into whatever store they needed to patronize. 

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“Be Prepared,” the scout motto, paid off when an elderly man locked himself out of his car and needed assistance.  "A chair was made available to him (as well as a comforting presence) and the proper authorities were contacted to escort the gentleman home," explained di Domenico.

The boys also recieved support from other local scouts. "One gentleman told the boys that he was in scouting from the age of 9 and that it kept him on the “straight and narrow”.  He gave them a very generous donation then encouraged them to continue their Scouting endeavors and become Eagle Scouts too!" said di Domenico. 

Another Eagle Scout stopped by the tent and shared many stories of his formative years in scouting. He returned later with his 1968 Boy Scout Handbook to donate to the troop along with a monetary donation. "These men knew first hand the importance of the Boy Scout organization in forming solid citizens and wanted to pay it forward," said di Domenico.

In addition to their fundraising and support of troops abroad, the scouts are very active in our community. Some of the work they do includes: A Meditation Garden at Nativity Church, A New Bridge at Fair Haven Fields, Tree Nursery at Fair Haven Fields, Boardwalk at Fair Haven Fields, Information Kiosk at Fair Haven Fields, Kateri Environmental Center Erosion Control and Improvement, Handicap Horse Ramp at Sunnyside Equestrian Center, Soldiers’ Angels – Care Packages to Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and many more.

"The boys from Fair Haven Boy Scout Troop 125 would like to thank the community for supporting them in their effort to maintain their troop, which has grown considerably over the past year!" said di Domenico.


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