Since 2006, you have been contributing to the Emergency Assistance Fund at the Foundation to assist with recovery from tornadoes, fires, hurricanes, floods, and other disruptive events.
One of the purposes of this fund is to provide support for Scouting’s affected individuals and families including temporary housing, transportation, and food replacement needs. You are also giving councils support for disrupted operational items such as school night recruiting materials, temporary office space, camp staff housing, and transportation needs.
“Shortly after the Hurricane, our job was to help others, we as Scouts were prepared to do so. The financial assistance we received was crucial for us to be able to serve in any way we could.” – Maria Molinelli, Former Board President | Puerto Rico Council
2019 Emergency Assistance Needs
Philmont Fire Recovery
In the summer of 2018, 27,000 acres of Philmont were damaged in the Ute Park Fire. Over 57 miles of backcountry trails, 21 trail camps and 5 staffed camp areas were impacted. Philmont has established the Philmont Recovery Corps to restore trails, reseed and plant trees, mitigate flooding and protect against future fires and other recovery related projects. Right now, the top priority is to prepare Philmont so youth from around the world may have life-changing experiences like so many in the past 80 years.
As Philmont prepares for the 2019 season, hundreds of volunteers have chosen to spend their Spring Breaks volunteering to ensure treks will go forward as scheduled. Read more about Philbreak 2019!
Scouting is always prepared to serve communities in need, especially in times of crisis. Because of you, the right support came at the right time to help two Scout camps devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Camp Sawyer in South Florida and Guajataka Scout Reservation in Puerto Rico lost buildings, campsites, roofs, and trails, but not their Scouting spirit. Though 1000 miles apart, the mission remained the same-get our camps ready for summer.
The 2017 Hurricane season was one of the most active on record, with 16 hurricanes. When the storms had passed, Scouts from across the country sprang into action to respond to the needs in their own communities and those thousands of miles away.
After Hurricane Maria, The Order of the Arrow mobilized to assist with rebuilding in Puerto Rico. A hundred Arrowmen traveled to the ravaged island to lend their muscle, sweat, and encouragement. National Executive Board member, Joe Landy and his wife Mary helped fund the massive service project through the Emergency Assistance Fund at the Foundation. Funds were deployed quickly and strategically to jump-start Scouting’s recovery in Puerto Rico.
Learn more about the impact of Arrowcorps Puerto Rico
