March 11, 2011
The Scout Association of Japan:
It is with a sense of despair that we watch the newscasts of the horrific devastation caused by the recent earthquake and ensuing tsunami.
Please know that all of us at the Boy Scouts of America are reaching out to our brother and sister Scouts, and all of Japan through our thoughts and prayers.
We truly hope that those affected will experience a complete and speedy recovery.
Sincerely,
Rex Tillerson
President |
James Turley
International Commissioner |
Roger Schrimp
International Chairman |
Robert J. Mazzuca
Chief Scout Executive |
Wayne Brock
Deputy Chief Scouts Executive |
Scott Teare
International Director |
March 14, 2011
Dear Scouts and Scouters of the BSA:
The above message was sent to the national leadership of the Scouts of Japan on behalf of all the members of the Boy Scouts of America.
This is an especially troubling catastrophe as the Scout Association of Japan (SAJ) has been one of our strongest partners in international Scouting activities. Our Scouting friends and their families need our help; words of encouragement as well as financial contributions to help rebuild lost lives are needed most.
The international leadership of the Scout Association of Japan has asked the BSA not to try to raise money at this time. However, our BSA members are a giving people, and many of us still wish to reach out with some sort of assistance. This defines who we are!
There are several ways you can make a financial contribution to help those in need of disaster relief, or to help provide financial support that may be required at a later date to help rebuild Scout-owned facilities or replace lost Scouting materials.
To make a financial contribution to assist with disaster relief, we encourage you to make such a gift to one of the following agencies, asking that your gift be used specifically to support the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan:
To make a contribution to help rebuild lost Scout-owned facilities and lost Scouting materials (the BSA International Committee will forward this money at a later, more appropriate time), you may make a contribution to the BSA World Friendship Fund. Please click here for more information:
Yes, our friends at the SAJ have not requested assistance from the BSA. There will come a time when it is appropriate to forward money collected through the World Friendship Fund. It just seems right to Be Prepared now for the need in the future.
Scouts across the globe know that doing a Good Turn without being asked is something we all learned from our time in Scouting. It was one of Baden-Powell’s visions, and we have an opportunity now to do a Good Turn for the SAJ. I hope you’ll join us.
Thank you for all you do.
Good Scouting!
James S. Turley
International Commissioner
P.S. If you would like to send a message to our friends in Japan, please click here .