LOCAL CUB SCOUT PACK WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

Maryland "Operation Shoebox" Project Honored in 31st Annual Colgate Youth for America Campaign

NEW YORK (June 2004)—A Maryland Boy Scout troop has won a national award in Colgate-Palmolive's 31st Annual search for the country's best community projects by young Americans. Winfield Cub Scout Pack 733 in Mount Airy created care packages for soldiers stationed overseas, and their efforts have won high honors in the 2004 "Colgate Youth for America" campaign.

The club's project was chosen from among more than 2,000 entries nationwide and was recognized with a $300 third prize in the Boy Scouts of America division.

Each year, U.S. clubs and troops of six national youth organizations—Girl Scouts of the USA, Boy Scouts of America, Camp Fire USA, Girls Incorporated, 4-H, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America—are invited to enter their best community service projects for consideration. The effort was launched by Colgate-Palmolive in 1973 to encourage community involvement among young people, and cash grants are awarded for the best projects in each of the organizations annually.

Pack leader Tammy Ray said, "Our young boys collected donated personal care, convenience, and leisure items, and created care packages to send to soldiers fighting overseas. The Scouts also wrote personal letters and included photographs in these shoebox-size care packages."

Scouts organized the items for shipping to the U.S. Central Command post in Florida. To learn more about this program or Winfield Cub Scout Pack 733, contact Tammy Ray at 410-875-2590.