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<br />. <br /> <br />March 7, 2002 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Dear Mayor Swedberg and Council members, <br />I would like to make you aware of an organization in the <br />Quad City area, Boy Scout Troop 103. Originally chartered <br />in the early 1980's through th St. Joseph Catholic Church, <br />the troop rechartered in 1998 with 5 boys. Our troop has <br />doubled in size this year and now has 40 registered scouts. <br />We are very proud to have just promoted our first Eagle Scout. <br />Community involvement is a part of scouting we take very <br />seriously. This year we collected over 1,000 pounds of food <br />for the Centennial Food Shelf, participated in several roadway <br />cleanup operations, and acted as color guard for prayer services <br />after September 11. We also planted trees around St. Joseph <br />Church to replace ones destroyed by a tornado, and acted as <br />an escort for the Blaine Knights of Columbus float in Blaine's <br />4th of July parade. Our boys participated in these activities <br />as a unit, but many have adopted additional projects in their <br />own neighborhoods. <br />particip~on in camping and outdoor activities is what <br />makes scouting so memorable for many boys. We participate <br />in 10-12 camping or outdoor activities per year, and this <br />includes winter camp. Parental involvement has been actively <br />promoted and we routinely have a 2:1 (scout'parent) ratio <br />at our campouts. <br />We are doing a number of things very well and feel that <br />Our troop is steering a course for success. However, with <br />our recent explosive growth, we are suddenly facing a difficult <br />situation. How do we provide the addional equipment that <br />we will need on campouts? Turning boys away is not an <br />alternative, so we are now faced with a great need for camping <br />equipment (i.e. tents, patrol boxes, cook stoves, cooking <br />gear). We also know that we will be needing a troop equipment <br />trailer very soon. <br />Fundraising has emerged as an area we will really have <br />to focus on. The boys continue to help themselves, and the <br />troop, with Christmas wreath and popcorn sales. They have <br />also sold potted plants, and helped at pancake breakfast <br />fundraisers. Although these have been steady and reliable <br />fundraisers, they are also characteristically slow producers. <br />So one of the ways we are attempting to raise the funds to <br />obtain new equipment is to approach local organizations that <br />have charitable gambling. While trying to find out the names <br />of such organizations in Centerville I learned that a <br />percentage of charitable gambling proceeds goes to the city. <br />We were encouraged to prepare something for your consideration <br />and are hopeful that we will be able to count on some support <br />from you. <br />We are still in the process of getting prices for our <br />needed equipment, but we know the amount will be much greater <br />than we dare ask you for. So we would like to ask for $500.00. <br />You can be absolutely sure that every dollar of that would <br />be used for the scouts benefit, and that an investment in <br />scouting will be repaid many times over in the community. <br /> <br />Regards, <br /> <br />~l",~ -S:v~-<'407V . <br />/U()~~~ <br />