CHARITABLE FUND DRIVE

 

Rotary International has been a partner with the boy & girl Scouts serving young people since their inception. As Rotary spread around the world, its support of Scouting also spread. In 1916, Rotarians in Edinburgh, Scotland, joined by 100 local Scouts, organized a special Christmas party for children whose fathers were serving in World War I. In 1922, the Rotary Club of Manila, Philippines, established a local Scout council. Rotary Clubs from Australia to Brunei built huts for Girl Scout groups.

 

The principles and goals of Rotary and Scouting are closely allied. Character-building; service to country, to others, and to self; teaching leadership skills; and becoming aware of the world around us–these are all incorporated into the programs and activities of each organization. The values expressed in Rotary International’s Motto and the Four Way Test greatly parallel those articulated in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan.

 

Rotarians have long served as role models, demonstrating leadership, character, and the value of selfless service to the community. Rotary founder Paul P. Harris was himself a recipient of Scouting's prestigious Silver Buffalo award in 1934. His and others' efforts represent to a high degree the slogan "Every Rotarian an Example to Youth."

 

One of the first interactions between Rotary and Scouting were in helping provide camps. Many early camps were called Camp Rotary and many such camps still exist. Rotary clubs also chartered or otherwise supported Scout groups. Today, Rotarians remain among the foremost sponsors of Scouting and Guiding, seeing it, like Rotary, as an excellent way to serve others. Rotary clubs in the United States charter over 1,400 Scouting units (Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Venturing crews) serving about 45,000 Scouts.

 

The Canton Rotary is honored to help support and foster the Canton City Schools Scout program. These scouts put so much effort and heart into the various scouting activities and trips, they truly look forward to their time of learning with Rotarians and Scout leaders from Buckeye Council.  The Canton Rotary has provided funding for students to attend various field trips that center around Scout learning, holiday parties, and bussing to and from these events. The past two years, Rotary has also given Canton Rotary Scout sweatshirts to the students in the program, and don't forget our annual Scout meeting where all the Rotary Scouts and teachers join us for our weekly Rotary meeting. The Scouts share with us principles learned throughout the year. This is one of my favorite meetings of the year! 

 

The Canton Rotary Scout program is the longest running program our Rotary Club has supported. As a wife of an Eagle Scout, and mother of a soon to be Eagle Scout, I see firsthand the importance the principles of Boy Scouts brings into young people’s lives. For our club to bring this program to children that are faced with tremendous life and physical challenges, we are giving them so much more than fun activities. We are giving them skills they will use the rest of their lives.

 

Rotary Scouts is just one of the many local programs the Rotary Charitable Fund helps to support. To date, we have received $3,830 which is 19% of our $20,000 goal. I am so grateful to those of you who have already contributed to the Charitable Fund. Today is #GivingTuesday, let's not  forget the Canton Rotary Charitable Fund as you donate to your favorite charitable causes today.