Scouting for Uniforms

Members of Boy Scout Troop 534 and Cub Scout Pack 444, both of Hastings, appeared on the 4 p.m. Kare 11 news in the backyard on July 6. The boys joined Kent York, of the Northern Star Council, to share information about the Uniform Exchange programs for Scouts.

During the month of July, all Pilgrim Cleaner locations will be accepting donations of scout uniforms. They will clean and deliver donated uniforms to the Northern Star Council, who will then distribute them to scouts in need.

“Uniforms are an important part of a young person’s scouting experience,” said York. “Kids earn awards in the program and want to have a place to show them off. Not all families can afford the uniforms.”

People are encouraged to keep the patches off of their old uniforms and donate the shirts.

Blue Cub Scout shirts are in the highest demand York said. Boys are growing quickly and moving from one size to the next.

Boy Scout, Venturer, and adult leader uniforms will also be accepted. Parts from uniforms such as belts, neckerchiefs and hats are also needed.

Each year the need for donated uniforms grows. In 2007, 350 uniforms were collected and 564 were collected in 2010. This month, the Boy Scout Council is hoping to reach their goal of getting 750 donated uniforms.

Uniforms can also be dropped off at any Boy Scouts of America location throughout the year. Collection bins are located outside the Scout service centers in Golden Valley and St. Paul.

A uniform exchange program runs twice a month at Boy Scouts of America locations where kids and families can go to the offices and pick up or drop off uniforms.

“As the school year rolls around, more kids join the scouting program causing the demand for uniforms to increase,” said York. “If uniforms are collected now, they will be ready for the fall and the new scouts.”

Each year, there are approximately 6,000 new scouts.

Once uniforms are dropped off, all the old patches are taken off and the uniforms are prepared to be given to a new scout.

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