The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America hosted its Rhode Island Leadership Breakfast fundraiser on Feb. 28, which raised $7,000 to fund the core Scouting program for the over 12,000 Scouts across the Narragansett Council.
This breakfast event will fund important programs like the Scoutreach program, ensuring all can thrive through Scouting, including low-income families, new leaders programs, and fund continuous improvements to camp facilities that are enjoyed by thousands annually from across the country.
The Narragansett Council has forged an important role in Rhode Island’s communities. The Council provides a first-class Scouting program that prepares youth for life, builds stronger families, and creates the country’s next generation of leaders. Local Scouts and Scout leaders are pillars of the community, having donated over 77,000 hours to community service and collected 190,000 pounds of food for the needy in 2019. Fundraisers like the Rhode Island Leadership Breakfast raised over $519,000 last year from over 2,000 supporters, accounting for about 8.5 percent of the Council’s annual budget.
On hand to support the fundraiser were Lt. Gov. Dan McKee and Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs Kasim Yarn.
“Scouting has institutionalized a youth leadership development program that many aspire to emulate but none can replicate,” said Director Yarn in his prepared remarks. “The secret sauce is the focused attention and introduction to new skills, mentors and experiences that the Scout leaders provide along the Scout’s journey.”
“The Rhode Island Leadership Breakfast proved how vital Scouting is to teaching the life-skills and virtues that instill leadership and active citizenship in our youth,” McKee said. “For the past few years, I have had the pleasure to host the annual Rhode Island Gathering of Eagles. After meeting hundreds of Scouts and learning their stories, I know that Scouting makes individuals, communities and our country better.”
“The creativity of these Scouts who act with boldness and integrity to address a need of the community through their Eagle project, demonstrates the real-world value of the Scouting program on our youth,” McKee added.
The keynote speaker was Trent Theroux, a local Eagle Scout from Troop 6 in Bristol, who is now a motivational speaker who works with Fortune 500 companies to develop Resilient Leaders.
Theroux was involved in an accident which left him paralyzed, necessitating his resilient mindset that he shares with leaders around the country. Following his remarkable recovery to full strength, he created a foundation to provide durable medical goods for those with spinal cord injuries. He funded this foundation by participating in a charitable swim across the English Channel. He was also recognized by Sports Illustrated for his record breaking 41-mile swim around Aquidneck Island.
“The Boy Scouts of America and their leaders can have a majestic impact on our youth,” said Trent Theroux. “I am just one example. There are millions of other stories out there of youths who want to serve their community. I appreciated everyone who donated to this worthy cause.”
“The generosity of the community is essential to continuing our vibrant Scouting programs for the next generation of leaders,” said Narragansett Council CEO Tim McCandless. “We appreciate the support of the Lieutenant Governor, Director Yarn and Trent Theroux. Their message of Scouting being the program that can build the next generation of strong leaders is an important one.”
People can learn about Scouting programs and find groups near them at BeAScout.org. For more information, visit ncbsa.org or find the Narragansett Council on Facebook.
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