Bold in the Cold
It’s 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning. The temperature is 22 degrees Fahrenheit, with an 18 mile per hour wind, creating a wind chill of 4 degrees. Absolutely wonderful conditions to sit by the kitchen table sipping hot coffee and reading the morning news.
Yet, for a group of local boys, the freezing winds and bone chilling temperature was the setting for a can drive on behalf of Sturbridge seniors. This morning - 11/22/08 - members of Boy Scout Troop 161, saddled up, bundled up, and stepped up to collect cans in an effort to assist qualifying Sturbridge seniors with their energy costs. The scout troop had dedicated the month of November to collect returnable cans and bottles in partnership with the REAS Foundation.
It was somewhat apropos, that on what turned out to be the coldest day by far of the early winter season (4 degrees with the wind chill), young boys were out braving the weather in support of those who have created this wonderful community. There exists no greater statement about a community’s true essence, than that found in the willingness of its youth to sacrifice for its most vulnerable citizens. Fewer are more vulnerable than our seniors.
Today was a challenging and difficult sacrifice for young boys who will soon become the young men leading our community and our nation. There is little doubt, that those today, who were fortunate enough to participate in this event, were provided a great opportunity for growth by their scout leaders. Our hats off to those adults who take the time to mentor these boys.
All of us within the community should be proud of the efforts of these boys and should feel a sense of pride in their call to duty and their compassion. Nevertheless, we bear in mind as well, that scouts or not, our community if filled with an abundance of incredibly selfless and wonderful youth.
On behalf of the REAS Foundation, I extend our gratitude to Boy Scout Troop 161 and the mentors who guide them.
Thomas R. Creamer - Executive Director
REAS Foundation
