Friends of Scouting fundraiser enjoys success

BARBOURSVILLE -- Parents and business leaders gathered at the Veterans Home and attended a Friends of Scouting Dinner in an effort to raise $6,500 for the Boy Scout program in Cabell and Lincoln counties.

About 3,500 youth participate annually in the program. Cabell and Lincoln counties are two of the 10 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia served by Tri-State Area Council, BSA.

Scout Executive H. Ray Franks said funds collected at Friday's dinner will go toward the Tri-State Area Council's operating budget, which will help with summer camps.

"I'm very thankful for the people that came out," he said. "We really do depend on the public supporting us."

Two Scouts were recognized at the dinner for their community involvement, scholastic achievements and scouting.

Kylie Roeder, Troop 62 Pea Ridge UMC, was the first to be honored. The 16-year-old Life Scout has been in Boy Scouts since first grade. He spoke to the audience about the strong values of scouting and how it has made people very successful into their adulthood.

"Scouting means everything to me," he said. "I would have never been able to travel to all the places I've been if I was not a Scout. I was too undersized to play sports, but scouting was an alternative that I found to make me stand out and grow."

Nick Porter, Troop 400 Center Point United Baptist, was chosen as one of 25 prominent future leaders of the world at the Bently Leadership Forum this year by Bentley College in cooperation with Time Magazine. He spoke to the audience about how scouting has turned him from a shy person into a leader. Porter, an Eagle Scout, said he enjoys summer camps and going to the National Order of Arrow Conference.

"Scouting makes an impact on all the lives it touches," he said. "It has helped me tremendously become a better person."

U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall was the guest speaker at the dinner. He paid tribute to what scouting means to Cabell and Lincoln counties and throughout the country.

"Scouting exemplifies Christian values, love of family, and the love of this country," he said. "To see the projects and work Scouts do is so heartwarming to know that these are our future leaders of our country."

Rahall said the House of Representatives passed a resolution Thursday honoring a centennial coin. The coin will honor the 100th year anniversary of scouting Feb. 8, 2010.