Tuscarora Council Boy Scouts hold fundraising event at Walnut Creek
By Steve Herring
Published in News on April 24, 2016 1:45 AM
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
N.C. State assistant basketball coach Orlando Early speaks at the Tuscarora Council Boy Scouts of America Friends of Scouting luncheon fundraiser Thursday.
Nearly 200 people gathered at Walnut Creek Country Club Thursday for the Tuscarora Council Boy Scouts of America Friends of Scouting luncheon fundraiser that accounts for nearly 40 percent of the council's budget.
N.C. State University head basketball coach Mark Gottfried had been the scheduled speaker. However, he was undergoing a heart procedure and could not attend. Scouting Executive Jason Smith said Gottfried sent his regrets that he could not attend.
Wolfpack assistant coach Orlando Early filled in, providing a review of the Wolfpack's 2015-16 season and a look forward to what fans can expect next season.
"The first thing that I would like to say is that Boy Scouts of America has been a staple in all of our communities for a long time," Early said. "So everything that you guys do for Scouts, we greatly appreciate it. You help these young men develop and be productive citizens in our society."
Funds raised through the Friends of Scouting represents nearly 40 percent of the council's annual roughly $1.2 million budget that includes funds raised through the popular popcorn sales, said Drew Covert, Tuscarora Council president.
"That gives you a sense of the importance of the support that we enjoy from our community," Covert said.
"The interesting thing is that from a standpoint of the values for the families in our four counties, we try to keep our fees as absolutely low as we can because what we are trying to do is make as big an impact and have as many children in the program as we can," he said. "I would like to thank you all for being with us today.
"I would also like to thank you for your continued financial support of the council and our whole Scouting program. Your generous support allows us to provide the programs for more than 4,000 youths in our four-county area."
Volunteers passed out pledge vouchers that were collected before the end of the program.
"This is a very important role that we do, and your generosity is greatly appreciated," said Steve Moore, council vice president for finance.
Moore encouraged audience members to match their last pledge and, if possible, to step it up more.
"It has always been one of my missions here to try to do just a little bit more," he said. "I know many times it is just a little bit that makes a huge difference in what we can do every day in the program. There are a lot of boys who can be served."
"I always like to be very careful and clear to thank the great staff that we have here at the council and more specifically the roughly 1,600 volunteers who work every day to bring this program to the youths in our local counties on a weekly basis," Covert said.
"As I have shared at other times, I feel that the council, at events like this, is basically putting gas in the gas tank. But at the end of the day, it is these volunteers who drive our programs and provide to the youths that can change the character and the outcome for all of these children who are in our community and future generations."
An important part of the program is Camp Tuscarora, the "heart and soul" of the program, Moore said.
Moore invited audience member to visit the facility when it is in "full swing."
"It is phenomenal, the things we have been able to do with your support," Moore said. "A lot of these councils around are just in awe at the things that we are able to provide with a 1,100-acre camp, but we only have four counties (Wayne, Duplin, Sampson and Johnston) to support it. But we have some of the most dynamic investors here with you each and every day.
"Thank you again for what you bring to the table in time, talent, resources and referrals. We are always looking for additional talent on our board, and we appreciate the folks that you have directed our way."
Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell wanted Scouting to be fun, Moore said.
He wrote a handbook in which he taught boys to be prepared, Moore said.
"To be prepared for what?" Moore said. "To be prepared for whatever life brings your way. I believe as trustees of the resources brought to us in Tuscarora Council that we are prepared in being prepared. We have set sail for the next hundred years in Scouting with your support and help."