Message from Nick Fox

Dear Troop 399 Parents:

I have again volunteered to act as Troop 399's Pacesetter Chairman for the Friends of Scouting (FOS) fundraising campaign conducted by the BSA Capital Area Council. This is an extremely important event that every year helps provide 25% of the Council’s annual operating budget, much of which is used to subsidize scouting programs and camps for boys in 15 surrounding counties, including Lost Pines campouts and Winter and Summer Camps, Longhorn District Camporee, Order of the Arrow, leadership training, and even Troop insurance are funded through the Friends of Scouting campaign.

This year your contribution is more important than ever, with charitable organizations like the United Way Capital Area no longer providing financial support to the Boy Scouts. The Friends of Scouting campaign has to pick up the shortfall in order for the Council to be able to maintain the programs it has long provided to our scouts. Last year, the Council set a $5800 target for Troop 399, which we substantially exceeded. I would like to do even better than that this year, but we can only do that with 100% parent participation.

Although a gift of at least $200 is requested (which gets you a nifty patch), any amount is appreciated, even if you can only spare $20. If your scout went to Winter Camp or will be attending Summer Camp this year, you should know that the Council will be paying for $75 of the actual cost for your scout to attend. No doubt all of our boys benefit from Council programs, as well as our adult leaders. And our contributions allow the Council to reach out to thousands of “at risk” youth and teach leadership and self-reliance skills. It is a fact that over 90% of boys that stay with scouting for five years or more graduate from high school.

I will be making a brief FOS presentation during our Court of Honor on Tuesday Evening, January 27th, as well as handing out brochures with the donation form and additional information about the 2009 FOS campaign. But I would like to wrap this up shortly thereafter. So I would again ask that each of you take a few minutes reflecting on the benefits that scouting affords your son and consider making a donation to the 2009 campaign. Making a contribution is easy. You can contribute by check or major credit card, or if you prefer, you may visit www.bsacac.org to make an on-line donation to Friends of Scouting. Please be sure to provide the requested information on the donation form, including our Troop number so we get proper credit, and please send me an email so I can confirm and count you towards Troop 399’s 100% participation goal.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you in advance for your generous donation.

Nick Fox
Pacesetter Chairman, Troop 399
Friends of Scouting Campaign