The Duck Creek District of the Boy Scouts recently hosted a banquet during which more than 40 Boy Scouts were recognized as 2015 Eagle Scouts. Adult volunteers were also honored. The theme for the event was “Because of You” in honor of the “Scouters,” a term which includes all adult volunteers.
Rowlett City Council Member Robbert van Bioemendaal, who was a scout throughout his childhood in Australia, served as master of ceremonies. He told the scouters that the children they are guiding will become better because of their guidance.
“I’m proud to say that without my scout heritage, I wouldn’t be where I am today or what I am today,” Bioemendaal said.
Elected officials in attendance included: State Rep. Angie Chen Button and her husband Darcy, who is an Eagle Scout; State Rep. Cindy Burkett; State Senator Bob Hall, an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow member; Garland Mayor Doug Athas; former Garland Mayor and Eagle Scout Bob Day; and Rowlett’s Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Dana-Bashian, whose husband Barry and two sons are Eagle Scouts.
Keith Christie of Garland’s Friendship House was on-hand to thank the district for dedicating this year’s food drive and the silent auction proceeds to the charitable organization. He outlined the role of the ministry and shared that they have helped more than 200 families that were affected by the Dec. 26 tornadoes and they regularly assist thousands of other Garland area residents.
“We are helping more and more people each year,” Christie said. “To give you an idea of how many people we help, in our database right now, there are a little over 22,000 people registered with the Friendship House. In 2015, we helped a little over 19,000 people.”
Additionally, the Circle Ten Council has collected more than $6,000 to be distributed to families affected by the storms.
Andy Price from the Circle Ten Council complimented the Scouters for the job they do.
“Because of you, these boys…and thousands of other boys in Garland and Dallas and throughout the 12 counties that we serve, are building leadership character and are learning self-confidence,” he said. “These boys will be better husbands, better fathers, better employees, better employers and through that, we’ll have better families, better neighborhoods, better cities, better states and a better America.”
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, the keynote speaker, expressed pride in the area for how the communities pulled together after the storms.
“I am so proud of how, without whining, without a sense of ‘woe is us,’ this area picked themselves up,” Rawlings said.
He also talked about the benefits of scouting and the difference it made in his life.
“Young men, there’s an old saying, ‘Lead, follow or get out of the way.’ When in doubt, lead” he said. “We need great leaders and that’s what Scouting does for us. For me, it created, along with my mother, my father and my church, my moral compass.”
He added that scouting teaches love and respect for God.
Exceptional scouters and scouts from each of the district’s troops were recognized and Duck Creek District Awards of Merit were presented to Debbie Pittman and Letreanna Castro.
The Duck Creek Silver Beaver Award, which is reserved for a person who serves not only with Boy Scouts at the district and council levels, but also with community and church, was presented to Jim Hampton.