Post edited 10:19 pm – September 23, 2011 by KrisBrabham

In my immediate area, it is sad how little community service the Troops & Packs do. They are there lots of times when the local camp needs help, but as for the immediate community, not so much. It IS improved from when we first started 5 years ago, but it's not what I envision the BSA should be doing.

My big hang up with the little things the dens I've worked with did as community service is that 90% of the time it meant mom &/or dad had to cough up more money. To me, a parent with empty pockets, this is missing the point. I like to find those projects that don't necessarily require an investment. Such as….did you realize that most SPCAs will take shredded papers (not the high security stuff, but the junk mail & such) to use for bedding. They will also take those "gently loved" bedding that is sooooooo out of style. And what about the good old fashioned newspaper drives….SPCA will put those to good use too!

Puppets, dolls & other fun items can be made from those odd ball socks you have just kicking around. Sew on some yarn for hair or buttons for decoration and you have something that a child in a shelter might just need to cheer him or her up.

How about those used up CDs and other disks? Decorate them with foamy decorations (you know you have tons of those) and hang them from a string to make a nice sun catcher or random decoration. Those might just light up the day of a nursing home or hospital patient.

OR….better yet, the BEST donation you can make….YOUR TIME! Sit and talk with an elderly person, do that Cancer Walk/run even if you can't donate any money, write a letter to a soldier. It seems so little & so easy, but I'd bet you the person on the other end will think it's a slice of heaven.

This weekend I am Making a Difference by participating in the annual Breast Cancer Walk. I can only afford to donate a small amount, but my entire family is donating our time to stand up, walk & show we support the cause and support all those people affected by this horrible disease.

High Five Cubmaster Chris for putting forward this challenge!!!

my comment works for both Cubs & Boy Scouts. When I did community service with my cubs, it was always within the structure of the weekly meeting it really wasn't anything extra except when we went shopping for the needy and that was still done on a regular meeting night, just at a different location so I wasn't really asking anything "extra" of them.