Local Boy Scouts Honor Healthcare Workers with 800 Care Packages

Providence, Rhode Island - The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America hosted a Gratitude Parade for hospital workers at Rhode Island Hospital and Kent Hospital on Monday July 13 to recognize the dedication, bravery and compassionate care of essential workers. Dozens of Scouts and volunteer leaders from Pack 4 & Troop 55 Riverside, Pack 1 & Troop 2 Barrington, Troop 1 Seekonk & Pack 1913 West Warwick helped distribute 800 S’mores Care Packages to front-line workers, featuring a variety of s’more treats. This was the largest food donation to a Rhode Island hospital during the pandemic.

The East Providence, Cranston and Warwick Fire Departments also joined the parade along with the Scouts, their leaders, and Narragansett Council CEO Tim McCandless. This Gratitude Parade and other similar “Good Turns” have raised $136,000 over the past four months to fund the Council’s diverse programming.

The parade was part of the 25th Annual Distinguished Citizens Awards Celebration, which raises funds to ensure that youth from low-income households can enjoy the Scouting advantage through the Narragansett Council’s Scoutreach program. In the past 25 years, more than $6,000,000 has been raised to enrich the lives of 20,000 low-income youth in the Scoutreach program. Through Scoutreach, over 1,100 Scouts annually enjoy exciting weekly meetings, monthly outdoor activities, work with trained leaders, participate in virtual Scouting programs, and receive recognition for their achievements.

Due to restrictions on large gatherings, this year’s Distinguished Citizen Award Lunch will be a virtual event. Individuals are invited to watch the live-streamed program featuring the impact of Scouting on Thursday, July 23 from 12:00-1:00PM by registering at www.ncbsa.org/dcal. There is no cost to participate, but donations are gratefully appreciated.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have disrupted traditional Scouting program, but the Narragansett Council remains committed to providing opportunities to all Scouts during this time. Other virtual programming this spring has included:

● Virtual Merit Badge Courses (182 different courses offered, which has served more than 2,500 Scouts from around the country)
● Virtual Summer Camp (The brand new Scouting streaming service called the Yawgoog Network has nearly 1,000 Scouts participating in weekly virtual activities)
● At-home adventures (a great new award designed to promote character, citizenship and leadership)
● Cooped-up Campfires (a fun opportunity for fellowship featuring songs, skits, and messages from area leaders, such as Rep. Joe Kennedy, URI Men’s Basketball Coach David Cox and Miss Massachusetts Lyndsey Littlefield)

“It was special for members of our Scouting, healthcare and firefighting communities to band together in supporting the unwavering dedication of our healthcare workers on the front lines,” said Narragansett Council CEO Tim McCandless. “We appreciate the support of the East Providence, Cranston and Warwick Fire Departments and the teams at Rhode Island Hospital and Kent Hospital for making this gratitude parade happen.”

We look forward to many joining us on July 23 for the Distinguished Citizens Awards Celebration to see the tremendous impact Scouting has on our youth,” McCandless added. “A small donation of $228 supports a Scout for an entire year.”

To learn about how you can donate to the Council, click here.