Scouts and leaders from the 1st Lennoxville group brave a rainy morning at the Maxi parking lot in Lennoxville, surrounded by bags packed with thousands of returnable cans and bottles collected during last year’s annual fundraising drive. Credit: William Crooks
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The 1st Lennoxville Scouting group is holding its annual bottle and can drive on May 23 in the parking lot of the Maxi store in Lennoxville, from 9 a.m. to noon — and this year the stakes are higher than ever, with funds going toward sending local youth to international jamborees in Iceland and Scotland.
Leader Jim Sweeny told The Pulse in a May 21 email that the drive is the group’s primary fundraiser. Money raised goes toward meeting supplies, camping equipment, and reducing the cost of outings for members between the ages of six and 17. Community members who want to donate returnable bottles and cans are invited to drop them off at the Maxi parking lot during the event.
This year, the proceeds will help support two overseas trips running concurrently. Seven youth and Scouters from the 1st Lennoxville group will fly to Iceland to take part in the Icelandic National Jamboree. At the same time, nine members of the group — joined by four participants each from the Richmond and Ormstown Scout groups — will travel to Scotland for the 40th Blair Atholl Jamborette. Both events run for two weeks and bring together Scouts from countries around the world.
Sweeny has emphasized that the international experiences are central to what Scouting offers young people. Spending time and making friends across cultural boundaries, he notes, is one of the most effective ways to foster understanding and goodwill among youth.
Anyone who would like to donate but cannot attend in person can arrange a pickup by emailing the group at 1stlennoxvillescoutgroup@gmail.com.
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