 In addition to taking pride in the hard work that they did Saturday
and learning a lesson about taking care of their environment; they
received a monetary reward as a bonus. Among the trash that the boys
gathered from the curbs of the city, they found a $50 bill!In
addition to this, Mayor Keith Snyder has asked the boys to be the
first ones to "step off" in the Fourth of July children's parade on
Saturday.
Snyder praised the boys, saying: "It was plenty warm that day,
and those packs and their leaders filled a dumpster to the brim with
all the debris and trash they collected around downtown and across
Lincoln. Honoring them with the parade lead is a simple way we can
say thank you for their efforts in cleaning up our community. "
Bennett's Troop 105 along with Cub Scout Troop 111, led by
Stephanie Morecraft, began their morning at Washington-Monroe School
and worked their way throughout town picking up trash. Troop 105
worked the area around the square, Scully Park and ended at Latham
Park, where trash containers were provided by Area Disposal.
Morecraft's group worked north toward Keokuk and cleaned up
around the area of the little strip mall across from Thorntons gas
station.
Bennett said that he had about 14 boys and eight to 10 adults,
which included parents, and Mario Bonaparte of the maintenance
department at Washington-Monroe worked in their area, while
Morecraft's group consisted of 11 Scouts and about a half-dozen
adults accompanying them.
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Bennett said that in spite of the heat it was a really good day. One
of the parents followed their group in a truck with bottled water in
coolers so the participants all stayed well-hydrated.
In regard to their monetary windfall, Bennett said that while the
real reward of public service was what the day was about, it just
went to show that getting involved does pay off!
Bennett also said that the boys are honored to have been
recognized by the mayor, are looking forward to leading the parade
and plan to use their newfound funds to decorate their bikes for the
event.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Scully Park, with
registration at 9, and at 9:30 there will be a judging of the best
decorated person, pet or ride. Rides can be bikes, trikes, wagons,
strollers, but nothing motorized.
Cub Scouts are a division of Boy Scouts of America for the age
group of first grade through fifth. Anyone interested in learning
more about the Cub Scouts can contact Chad Bennett at 737-7278 or
Stephanie Morecraft at 671-0498.
[Information received from the
Lincoln mayor's office; Nila Smith]
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