Scouts raise record $110,000 at Whitney M. Young dinner

 
Recently, the Boy Scouts of America celebrated their 26th annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Awards Dinner.  It was a night to remember. Not only did they acknowledge great service, allegiance and devotedness within the organization, but they raised a record $110,000.
The Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Dinner was held at the Westin Convention Center Hotel where approximately 360 people gathered for the event. The $110,000 was an unexpected success, because only $56,000 was raised last year and an average of $40,000 in previous years.
The Boy Scouts of America currently have more than 30,000 youth enrolled in their organization and have existed for 102 years. Scouting age ranges throughout the Boy Scouts, and varies based on core programs. Cub Scouts are boys between the ages of 7-10, Boy Scouts are 11-18, and the Venturing/Co-Ed program ranges from 14-21.
The dinner has been taking place since 1979.
Whitney M. Young Jr. was a civil rights activist and National Urban League president from 1961-1971. As executive director of the League, he pushed major corporations to hire more Blacks.
The Scouts created the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award as a great tribute to Whitney’s legacy.
“Scouting is an excellent program for our youth. It gives them structured leadership and community engagement opportunities that is parallel to none,” Jason Flowers said. “I hear from business leaders, those that were scouts and those that weren’t have said that Scouting is the best model to develop young men into leaders.”
Lynne Hayes-Freeland was the Mistress of Ceremonies. UPMC Health Plan was the naming and title sponsor for the event. The program began with the Scouts doing an excellent flag ceremony, followed by a tribute to Judge Livingstone M. Johnson. Johnson is from Wilkinsburg, and was born on December 27, 1927. Receiving his doctorate from Howard University, and completed law school at the University of Michigan in 1957. Johnson is a retired judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, which he served from 1982-2007.  The tribute included a three-minute biographical video directed and created by Emmai Aliquiva of YAMOMZHOUSE Production.
Albert E. Dotson, chairman Emeritus 100 Black Men of America, was the keynote speaker during the event. Albert E. Dotson was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans.
The four Whitney M. Young Jr., recipients were Propel Schools/ Jeremy Resnick, Rice Enterprises LLC/Michele Rice CEO, Melissa Rice CFO, Scoutreach Chair/Gordon Gebbens, and Vernon Smith Active Scouter that Strongly Supports Low Income.
A special recognition to Judge Livingstone M. Johnson took place during the dinner. The Scouts named an award after him calling it the, Livingstone M. Johnson Legacy Award that will be given alongside the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award each year.
There was a testimony presented by the Miller family, immediately after dinner. This kicked off the video directed by Jonathan Gamble of Tendaji Solutions. Joy Miller discussed how scouting has had a major impact on her two adopted sons, Cameron and Aaron Miller.
“I think my life would be different without scouting because of the friends I would not have now, values in my life, and leadership. I would also probably be bored.” Eagle Scout, Cameron Miller said,
The Boy Scouts keep busy throughout the year. The Scouts participate in several flag ceremonies for other events. The Scouts will be holding their annual community service event, Scouting For Food Drive later in the year. More than one million dollars worth of food is raised during this drive each year. The council is offering a week long STEM Camp for gifts and boys in 3rd through 5th grade, while Scouts are also gearing up for summer camp.
“Our continued effort to recruit more kids and organizations into the program is due to the results of growing young men into leaders,” Jason Flowers said. “We strive to make sure every boy has a chance to be a scout, and to become a leader through us.”
 

 
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