Scouting for Kosovo Refugees
Bob Riley (CubmasterB@AOL.COM)
Sat, 17 Apr 1999 16:46:13 EDT
Norman MacLeod wrote :
"Since we are living at peace (most of us), perhaps we can do something
to help Scouting back onto its feet in the Balkans?" in his posting titled
"Message from the Balkans".
With hundreds of thousands, even millions, of people just trying to survive
in the Balkans, I think we Scouters could better help the refugees to get
through their present challenge : making it to the next day.
A couple of our pack's committee members have found that there are some
collections being conducted in a nearby town. Initially, the Red Cross was
only interested in monetary donations because they didn't have the logistics
worked out to ship supplies. It seems that the National Guard is now working
on those problems. They expect a flight will be departing our area in
about four to five weeks.
Our pack is working with some local grocery stores, churches and other
volunteer groups to collect donations of diapers, baby formula, canned food
and clothing in good, wearable condition. These are the only items
that the Red Cross is interested in right now. The more organizations we
speak to the more interest is generated.
This is a strictly humanitarian effort, the kind that scouts are famous for.
Our only concern is the welfare of the men, women, children and babies
who are living out in the elements without even the most basic supplies.
Are there any other units out there who have been thinking about how they
can help these people? I suggest you get in contact with your local
Red Cross and National Guard to see what they are planning.
You can piggyback off of them. If nothing is going on in your area
maybe you can give it a kick start.
Any units that are already moving on this? Let's hear what you're doing.
I think the list would benefit from everybody's efforts. I know those poor
people
would.
After things settle down over there, then we can focus on getting
Scouting back on its feet. Let's all pray for that day.
Yours in World Wide Scouting,
Bob Riley
Cubmaster
Pack 639
Watervliet, NY
Fort Orange District
Twin Rivers Council
