September 5, 2005

Scouts, Scouters and Staff

Long Beach Area Council

Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America has just suffered the greatest catastrophe in its history, suffering as the country has suffered.  The devastation caused by hurricane Katrina is unimaginable.  Nearly all of us have been touched by this disaster in one way or another.  Our family of Scouting is no exception.

I have received an e-mail from the Chief Scout Executive, Roy Williams, that is unbelievable.  Here is an excerpt quoted from Scout Executive Williams.

“Here are the facts that we have:

• Nine of our local council offices in Louisiana , Mississippi , and Alabama were directly affected by the storm.

• Six council offices have been forced to completely discontinue all operations.  The Southeast Louisiana Council office is currently flooded.

• Numerous BSA employees in councils are not only out of work, but have also lost their homes and possessions.

We know that recovery from this destruction will take years.”

Thousands of volunteers and Scouts have temporarily lost their Scouting programs.

All of us in the Long Beach Council can help our fellow Scouts, Scouters and Council employees restart Scouting programs in this widespread area.  Let's start with our prayers.  Then let's dig deep and donate cash to help.  Our Council has a special fund that will transfer 100% of the

 donations to the Southern Region, BSA, to get their councils, camps and programs going again.  Just stop by the Scout Service Center to make

your donation.  Checks can be made out to BSA; be sure to write “ BSA Relief Fund ” at the bottom of your donation check. 

You can also go to www.scouting.org for more information.  Click on “Hurricane Katrina Disaster” and/or “Hurricane Katrina:  How Your Unit Can Help!”

Scouting has been one organization this country has always looked to for help in time of need.  Let us help our own in this stricken part of our great country so they can help their neighbors. 

They have all lost so much.  We can help!

In Scouting,

Lee Martin , Scout Executive

Long Beach Area Council