Remembering Hurricane Sandy

Reprinted from Patch

Massachusetts Boy Scouts to Lend Helping Hand for Hurricane Sandy Cleanup

Scouts will aid Long Branch troop in cleanup of Oceanport

By Christopher Sheldon (Patch Staff) -

On Saturday, Feb. 9, a contingent of 20 Boy Scouts from Troop 3 in Manchester, Mass. will join forces with Boy Scout Troop 148 in Long Branch to participate in a Hurricane Sandy related community clean-up project in Oceanport.

About one week after the Hurricane, Troop 3 of the Yankee Clipper Council, Boy Scouts of America, reached out to Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America, looking to support a New Jersey Troop affected by the Hurricane.

"We quickly realized that while FEMA type organizations would help families and businesses, who would help other organizations rebuild and restart? Helping another troop is what we are built to do," explained Troop 3 Scoutmaster Fred Rossi, whose troop adopted and re-equipped a Troop in Gulf Port Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. "We were proud to help but felt a bit detached from that Troop. We realized that to create a true bond and relationship we should meet and work directly with the recipients. This allows the Scouts to truly understand the value of their work."

Many homes in Long Branch were damaged or flooded during the hurricane and several Troop 148 Scouts lost their Scouting and camping equipment. Troop 3 will be donating dozens of items to Troop 148 Scouts including uniforms, handbooks, backpacks, sleeping bags and pads, compasses, water bottles, mess kits, head lamps and more.

“It blew me away when I got the call. I never even anticipated anything like that,” said Troop 148 Scoutmaster Maynard Burley. “It really is heartwarming that another troop would be willing to help us with this kind of project.”

He added, “Camping is vital part of our program and with the Scouts having experienced so much loss already, we weren’t sure if they could afford to replace the equipment. Some might have dropped out if they didn’t have the equipment to participate and stay involved.”

http://manchestert3.org/front_page