Blue and Gold Dinner

Post date: Feb 6, 2011 1:28:44 AM

Coming up on Wednesday, February 16th beginning at 6:30pm is our annual Blue and Gold dinner Pack meeting in Country Lanes MU room. This is a potluck dinner where all the family is invited to come and celebrate Cub Scouting's Birthday party! Your Dens will be assigned food to bring by a separate Evite.

We will be having our traditional cake decorating competition, cakes can be made as a Den "project" or made by individual Cubs (no adults decorating cakes please). Remember to write your sons name and  rank ( Wolf or Bear etc) on the top of the plate where we can see it for judging. There will be prizes!

During the evening we have an exciting Raingutter Regatta planned for the boys, this should allow families time to relax and enjoy time with your Pack 325 family. 

As is customary, during the evening there is a presentation for the "Friends of Scouting" Council fundraiser. This year I am sending much of the information to you now so that you can have time to think about how much Scouting means to you and how much to give (see below). 

If you have your donation ready when you arrive at the Blue and Gold dinner, I will give you a "Go To The Front Of The Line" ticket as a thank you for helping Scouting in our Council, give me your donation first your family goes first. Usually only about half of our families donate but this year we hope every family could give something.

Friends of Scouting

In order to provide the best Scouting program possible in our community, the Santa Clara County Council provides support to the overall Scouting mission.  That mission includes giving every available youth the opportunity to join the program and to enjoy a quality program.

This is why the council charges no fees and instead relies on the charity of families, business & the community.   (Your annual registration money goes to National BSA, insurance and your unit only.)

Did you know that our local Santa Clara County Council...

• Receives no federal funding.

• Receives no National BSA funding.

• Receives no United Way Funding.

• Raises 100% of its dollars locally.

• Uses all of the dollars raised to support youth in our community.

• Gets about half of its income from the local FOS campaign.

Your Friends Of Scouting gift supports our local council services: 

• Boy Scout and Cub Scout Resident Camps, Cub Scout Day Camps, Camp-o-rees, Community Service Projects

• Program equipment including: canoes, boats, rifles, archery equipment, and cooking/camping equipment.

• A Council Service Center where awards, program materials, training records and publications are available to youth and adults.

• Professional staff and Training aids and literature for use in training adults and youth leaders.

• Meetings, Roundtables, Training Courses, Seminars, Conferences, Commissioner’s Meetings, Board Meetings, and Committee Meetings

...all geared to help the local units carry out their program for youth.

It’s the professional leaders that are needed to expand the program to a larger and broader audience. This includes reaching out to the largest at-risk youths in the county, working to not only improve their lives, but to improve society as a whole, one boy at-a-time.

What can you do?

• The cost to the council for supporting one boy in Scouting is more than $275/yr.

• The Santa Clara County Council is asking you to consider a donation of $275 per boy (or more if so inclined).

• You will receive a 'thank you' gift for your donation:

Any amount      A Scout is Brave lapel pin

$175                 A Scout is Brave shoulder patch

$275                 A Scout is Brave glass mug

$500                 Fountain Pen

$1000+             Coaster Set and Special Reception

The Pledge Goal for the entire Pioneer District is $173,500

Please consider investing your tax-deductable contribution in a program within which our Cub scouts, and other deserving youth throughout the county, receive a direct benefit that will last them a lifetime.

Checks, cash, “bill my credit card” and “bill me” pledges are all accepted.  Payment for the “bill my credit card” or “bill me” pledges must be received in 2011, with the bills split into quarterly or monthly payments evenly distributed through the end of the year.

Remember, many employers will match charitable gifts of their employees. Check with your personnel department for further information.  This is a great way to make your gift to Scouting count twice and your unit gets the credit towards your goal too!  Please contact your employer’s Human Resources Department to find out if they will match your gift.  We will provide whatever documentation that your employer requires.

The district has a goal of “100% Asked”.  This means we would like to receive all donation cards back by the end of the meeting even if you decide you cannot contribute or pledge.