Good Turn for America

Our Scout Oath includes the promise to help other people at all times. The Boy Scouts of America vision statement contains a goal focusing on serving America's communities and families with our quality values-based program. Scouting was founded on the principle of doing a Good Turn daily. Our members conduct service projects to benefit others throughout the year. In fact, during 2003, our council conducted our annual Scouting for Food drive, and we collected over 38,000 pounds of food. Good Turn for America provides the framework in which to highlight this service project and more.

We know our approximately 500 units in Gulf Ridge Council conduct many other service projects. But there is still room for more - remember, giving knows no season. This will not be another program that will become a burden for you. It is designed to take what is already quietly being done across the country and share it with everyone.

Good Turn for America focuses on three areas of service: food, shelter, and healthy living. Therefore, there will be three subtitles: Scouting for Food, Scouting for Shelter, and Scouting for Healthy Living.

We also want to know what your unit is doing. You can go to the Good Turn for America website to report unit service projects. The website collects information about the types of service projects conducted, the number of members and non-members involved in the projects, and who/what organization benefited from your unit's efforts. This will help us tell the story of what our Scouts are doing for our community. Units reporting their service project will be allowed to purchase a Good Turn for America patch and participate in council and district level recognition.

The Boy Scouts of America is the preeminent service organization - now is the time to use that to our advantage and focus attention on what we do best!

You Provide the Questions, We'll Provide the Answers

Do you have questions about Good Turn for America or are you having trouble figuring out just where or how to report your service hours? Feel free to contact Jennifer Thomason at the Gulf Ridge Council office and we'll help you work through it.

Are you one who will make a difference? Get involved.

"Renew America Together"