In the third week of the Franklin Cub Scout shoe drive, Franklin residents stepped it up and donated scores of pairs to help those in need of good footwear. Combined with the previous two weeks worth of donations, the Scouts have collected approximately 300 pairs of gently worn shoes to benefit two shoe charities: Souls4Souls® and Rerun Shoes. With two weekends of collections left, the Cub Scouts continue to encourage everyone to find those forgotten or underutilized shoes and contribute them to those affected by impoverishment or disaster.
"With spring cleaning happening all across town, we know that there will be many terrific pairs of shoes uncovered that, in other parts of world, can be put to good use protecting people’s feet," said Gregg Klawson, cubmaster of Pack 99 in Franklin. "We are very grateful for the support and encouragement families in Franklin have shown us through their donations and kind words. And we are thankful that our Scouts and their families have donated so much time to helping the greater community."
As with the cubmasters of the four other Cub Scout packs in Franklin, Mr. Klawson realizes that community is an important concept to teach the future leaders of America. In Cub Scouting, Scouts and their families have fun and adventure in a program that builds character and instills values. Cub Scouting embraces the values of citizenship, compassion, cooperation, courage, faith, health and fitness, honesty, perseverance, positive attitude, resourcefulness, respect, and responsibility. These values come to boys in all parts of the Cub Scout program, all while they're having a great time with their friends and families.
Cub Scout Pack 99 is no stranger to combining fun with building character. Like the other packs, the pack has helped those in need many times. Whether it be through the annual Scouting for Food Drive, a national drive sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America, or helping the Knights of Columbus collect needed funds as part of their annual Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities, more commonly known as the “Tootsie Roll Drive,” the Cub Scouts of Pack 99 have assisted.
Cub Scout Pack 99 is chartered locally by the Franklin Knights of Columbus, Council 1847, and the pack welcomes boys from all parts of town. However, Pack 99 consists mostly of students who attend Jefferson Elementary School or are home schooled in the surrounding neighborhoods. They’re boys whose parents want them to realize their full potential and become the best young men they can be, and they’re boys who are given the opportunity to do this while having fun in a safe environment. Some of Pack 99's recent adventures include attending P-Bruins and Harlem Globetrotter games; the annual Pinewood Derby; overnight camping and a campfire at King Street Memorial Park; and marching in the town’s annual Memorial Day parade. Like other packs, Cub Scout Pack 99 also participates in regular hiking activities, and so much more.
“When you sign your son up for Cub Scouting, you're signing him up for much more than an after-school activity,” added Mr. Klawson. “Whether it's camping for the first time or climbing your first indoor rock wall, your son will take part in activities that are fun, but also build character and start him on a path to success. While there are lots of cool badges to earn, the experiences had along the way are the true rewards.”
Of course the many experiences couldn’t occur without Scouts and their families, old and especially new, and that’s why the Franklin Cub Scouts are holding an open registration event this month. The Cub Scouts welcome all boys currently in kindergarten through fourth grade to join a pack on the Franklin Town Common on Saturday, May 20th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be some typical Scout activities for the boys to sample while parents can find out more information and register their boys on the spot to become part of a fantastic group of kids doing incredible things. For those that prefer to become part of the fun immediately, visit BeAScout.org today to register with your local pack.
Meanwhile, the shoe drive continues. Please clean out those closets, donate those shoes and join the fun! All five packs from across Franklin will be out again collecting shoes at the following locations from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (with one exception noted below) this Saturday, May 5th, and next Saturday, May 12th:
- Dacey Community Fields on Lincoln Street (from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
- King Street Memorial Park on King Street
- Fletcher Field on Peck Street
- Beaver Pond on Beaver Street
- Town Common across from St. Mary’s Church
