Scouting, Volume 84, Number 6, November-December 1996 Page: 6
50, [20] p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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A Good Turn Remembered
During the holidays a year ago we received a letter that reminded us how the impact
we have on individual youth, like the expanding rings of a splash in the water, can
reach far beyond a family or the immediate members of a pack, troop, or post.
In the letter a 34-year-old man described a Christmas Eve 27 years ago, when his moth-
er was going through a divorce and had no food for her three children or presents to put
under their humble Christmas tree.
Answering a knock at the door, the mother was greeted by an Eagle Scout, who asked if
she would accept some gifts and food for her family. "Words cannot express how it made all
of us feel to know that someone actually cared for those who had nothing to eat and not one
gift to open on Christmas morn-
ing," the writer continued. "I don't
even know the name of the young
man [but] I would like to tell him
how deeply he touched me, that I
love him for giving three little kids
that one moment in their life when
something was actually good and
right....
"Because of what the Boy Scouts
did for me and my sisters some 27
years ago, my wife, my own chil-
dren, and other members of my
family plan on doing the same
thing this year.. .1 want some child
that has given up hope to believe
that there really is a Santa
Claus...."
Every year similar Good Turns
are conducted by countless thousands of Scouts whose names are likewise unknown to
their recipients. And these Scouts ask for nothing other than the opportunity to serve, be-
cause service to others is a fundamental part of the ideals of Scouting, as expressed in the
Oath and Law.
For their understanding of that principle, we owe a debt of gratitude to you the adult vol-
unteers, whose efforts make Scouting, and its values of character, duty, and service, avail-
able to so many youth across our nation.
TO EVERY ONE OF YOU, AND TO YOUR FAMILIES, we extend our best wishes
for a joyous holiday season and a new year full of good Scouting.
. \
fl/
John W. Creighton Jr.
President, Boy Scouts of America
Jere B. Ratcliffe
Chief Scout Executive
Scouting November-December 1996
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 84, Number 6, November-December 1996, periodical, November 1996; Irving, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth353678/m1/6/: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.