US treatment of Ebola has mitigated tensions surrounding the epidemic stateside, yet the virus continues to be a global issue. But this proactive group of Scouts from Bremerton, Wash., decided to take action. Troop 1540 of the Chief Seattle Council took matters into their own hands and organized a medical supplies drive to fight the virus in West Africa.
“Our goal has been to hold one service project each month to give the boys plenty of opportunities to give back to their local and global communities,” said Scoutmaster Valerie Kindschy. “We heard about Children of the Nations’ Ebola drive from our charter organization, Crossroads Neighborhood Church and the boys wanted to do their part.”
The boys spent the day in front of their local Walgreens handing out lists of ‘urgent needs’ to shoppers, requesting items for donation. With lots of help from Walgreens and the community, the drive was a major success. The Scouts received several boxes of soap, gloves, hand sanitizer, and other items that will help protect health workers in hospitals and clinics in Sierra Leone. The local Lowe’s even donated about 30 buckets to be used as hand-washing stations. In partnership with Children of the Nations, the boys delivered the donations to the organization’s warehouse for shipment this month.
Scouting strives to develop strong citizens of the world. After all, today’s Scouts are tomorrow’s leaders and with troop’s like this one, it looks like the world is in good hands.
Want to learn more about this troop’s efforts to help eradicate ebola in West Africa? Check out this story from Children of the Nations.