Boy Scouts Visit Panhandle Area Stores To Support Disaster Assistance
Release Date: July 28, 2005
Release Number: 1595-033
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Gulf Coast Council Scouts will aid Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel in distributing disaster assistance information at 17 local Wal-Mart and K-Mart stores on July 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. July 30 is also the last Saturday of Florida’s sales tax-free holiday.
“The opportunity to incorporate the Boy Scouts into local response efforts is the perfect match for the group whose motto is: Be Prepared,” said State Coordinating Officer Craig Fugate.
This event builds from a Memorandum of Understanding between several Florida Boy Scout Councils and Florida Department of Community Affairs’ Division of Emergency Management and formalizes a partnership allowing the Boy Scouts in Florida to participate in certain disaster activities. Boy Scouts of America has an active history in community involvement.
According to Fugate, Florida has benefited greatly over the years from the willingness of local organizations and service groups who volunteer during and following disasters. During the 2004 hurricane season, many local groups assisted Floridians through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program. CERT-trained volunteers also included some individual Boy Scouts who had completed required training.
A list of stores where Boy Scouts will be assisting FEMA personnel follows.
Last Modified: Thursday, 28-Jul-2005 13:00:47