Growing Scouts can go through uniforms at a rapid clip. A uniform drive in Columbus hopes to gather as many donated used or new uniforms as possible through April 24 to help out boys who would like to participate in Scouting.
“We’re trying to offset the cost to people who want to join, but find finances may be an issue when it comes to buying uniforms,” said Mark Box, a parent volunteer with Troop 1 in Columbus.
Box and fellow volunteer Melissa Conquest both had the idea of a uniform drive as part of their work on the Wood Badge, an advanced leadership training experience.
The uniform drive is scheduled to go through Friday, April 24. Collection boxes are at all YMCA branches in Lowndes County, said Box, and at the Boy Scouts of America office, 420 31st Ave. N. Scouts may also bring uniforms to the Troop 1 Hut during meetings.
“We’re hoping for every kind of uniform — Webelos, Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts, shirts, pants, any part of the uniform,” said Conquest. “We welcome donations from other communities, too, and are open to sharing with any boy that needs uniform pieces.”
Any donor wishing to contribute new uniforms can find them at Reed’s of Columbus, Box noted.
Scouts are rewarded for wearing their complete uniform, said Conquest.
“We hope to help boys whose parents may not be able to provide the whole uniform,” she continued. “Scouting is supposed to be fun and uniforms are part of it, so we’re trying to make it more fun for everyone.”
For more information about the uniform drive, contact Box at 662-570-9307.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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