Las Vegas [NV] 'Good Turn' program unites Boy Scouts, Goodwill

[Dedicated Dad 10]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/lv-ed/2002/mar/10/513153668.html

March 10, 2002

 

'Good Turn' program unites Boy Scouts, Goodwill

By Ed Koch

 

LAS VEGAS SUN

 

Some people would give the shirts off their backs to help those in need, and that's the type of generosity Las Vegas area Boy Scouts and Goodwill of Southern Nevada are hoping for.

 

The two charitable agencies have teamed up for "Good Turn Day" next Saturday to collect tons of clothing to be sold in Goodwill Thrift Stores to help fund the agency that provides jobs for the physically and mentally disabled of Southern Nevada.

 

And while the Scouts won't exactly be asking for the shirt off anyone's back, they are looking for quality apparel.

 

"The term we like to use is 'gently used clothing' -- in other words something that you would give to a friend to wear," said Steve Chartrand, president and chief executive officer of the Goodwill, which operates five thrift stores in the Las Vegas Valley.

 

"In addition to clothing, we are looking for small household items, books, jewelry, stereo equipment -- things that we can sell in our stores."

 

Mike Miller, spokesman for the Boulder Dam Area Council of the Boy Scouts, said when the organization was approached with the idea for a joint project with Goodwill, they thought this venture was right up their alley.

 

"For our annual 'Scouting for Food Drive,' we have had as many as 8,000 Scouts collecting canned goods each November, but for this first-time event we are looking at about 3,000 Scouts from 90 area units participating," Miller said.

 

The Scouts this week will be fanning out throughout the valley leaving on doorsteps large white and blue plastic bags with the wording "Do a Good Turn for Goodwill." Also on the bag is a photo of Houston Astros pitcher Mike Maddux, a Las Vegan who currently is at spring training camp but is serving as honorary chairman for the drive.

 

Local television stations are running public service announcements with Maddux promoting the event. Officials hope to collect 10,000 filled bags, the contents of which will be sorted at the Goodwill warehouse at Patrick Lane and Pecos Road.

 

Goodwill figures to gross about $20 per bag in eventual sales.

 

Chartrand said the idea for joining forces with the Boy Scouts came from an existing Goodwill/Scouting venture that has worked well in the Pacific Northwest.

 

"The Portland, Ore., Goodwill has had a relationship with the Boy Scouts for 50 years," Chartrand said. "It combines the need the Goodwill has to raise money to fund its services with the philosophy of helping others, which has been a function of the Boy Scouts since its inception."

 

Miller said each participating Scout will receive a "Good Turn Day" uniform patch and the satisfaction of having done a good deed for a group that helps people become self-sufficient.

 

Also, any Cub Scout or Boy Scout uniform donated to the Goodwill will be given to local Urban Boy Scout units to be distributed to children from families that cannot afford to buy new uniforms, Chartrand said.

 

Miller and Chartrand said in recent years joint ventures between nonprofit agencies has become a healthy trend, with Goodwill conducting projects with such agencies as the Rape Crisis Center and Aid for AIDS of Nevada, and the Boy Scouts working with the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and others.

 

Such joint programs, they said, help avoid duplication of services and better use available resources.

 

The Boy Scouts will return next Saturday to the homes where they left the empty bags to collect full ones from front porches and bring them to 16 drop-off points throughout the valley, including the five thrift stores. From there, the bags will be transported by Goodwill to the warehouse to assure quality control and accountability, Chartrand said.