Treats for the troops, thanks to West Seattle Cub Scouts

First pic, Cub Scout Pack 793 in West Seattle; second pic, 598th Maintenance Company in Iraq. During what Pack 793 advisers describe as “their most successful popcorn-selling season ever” — more than $12,000 sold, beating last year’s record $9,000-plus — they collected community donations so they could send popcorn to the soldiers for Christmas — and that effort resulted in $710 worth of caramel corn, chocolate caramel crunch, and microwave popcorn going overseas. Why the 598th, you ask? One of its soldiers is uncle to one of the Scouts. (Read more on the Pack 793 website.)

The Velvet Bulldog January 5, 2008 (8:51 am)

I love stuff like this – community members coming together for a common cause, sharing the love with others. I swear, I’m a little misty…

Bob January 5, 2008 (4:48 pm)

Once upon a time when I was about 7 or 8, I was a Cub Scout for a year. I recall making various things out of wood, and reading up on how not to die of exposure when lost in the woods.

The pack’s Web page says that the boys collected 650 pounds of food for the WS Food Bank, which is a great thing.

But – maybe I’m missing something here – what’s the $12,000 in sales needed for? Nothing about it on the Web page. Just seems very different from what we did back then. At the time I had an allowance of 25 cents a week, which seemed plenty. I guess it’s just that WS is more affluent than my old neighborhood, and we all live in a much richer era these days.

Bob January 5, 2008 (9:27 pm)

Hey, racing the little whittled cars down a slope. That looked like fun. Boy, these kids sure have more far-ranging activities now. Thinking back, I must have been 9. That was probably the last year I believed in all kinds of improbable things that weren’t true, too.

Scout Parent January 5, 2008 (11:24 pm)

Bob – As a parent of one of the scouts pictured, I can tell you that they sold $12,000 worth of popcorn, but only about $4000 went to the pack. The money goes towards these kids outdoor education, camping trips, life lessons and learning many life values that seem to be lost in today’s youth. You should be happy that these fine young men are being raised in your neighborhood. They’re a great bunch of kids.

Another Scout Parent :o) January 6, 2008 (1:55 pm)

I’m also a parent of one of the scouts in the picture… and yes, they still race whittled down cars, shoot marbles, hike and camp, but they are also taught to serve their community and fundraising is part of this. As parents we are always trying to help these boys figure out what they can do to give back to our community. I agree with the previous poster – this is a great bunch of kids who are doing their part in community service while having fun at the same time. BTW, Den 2 just got home today from snow camping at Camp Sheppard and had a great time!

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