Why Do We Help Others?

[LeCastor]

Have you ever lost your wallet? If so, you know that sinking feeling when you realize the money you worked so hard to earn and save has been lost to God knows where. Maybe you had your learner’s permit in that wallet and now you can’t drive! Here’s where a well-placed Good Turn can make someone’s day 100% better. A Scout was out with his family and found a brown leather wallet on the sidewalk. Immediately he thought how he would have felt had he lost his own wallet. Some of us might be tempted to take the cash and forget the rest. But this Scout found the owner’s address printed on his driver’s license. The Scout and his family drove to the owner’s house and delivered the wallet safe and sound. You can imagine the relief he felt when he knew his money, driver’s license, credit cards, and family photos had been returned safely by a helpful Scout. We do this because it’s the right thing to do. Imagine how you would feel if you lost your wallet and no one returned it?

[SSScout]

Thank you for the reminder. I once forgetfully left a backpack on the subway. I had been with my family , on a trip to see the museums downtown and was on our way home . Got off the train went down to our car ,and drove home. About three hours later, we got a phone call from a man who asked if I was SSScout? I said yes, he said , well, I have an orange backpack with your name and phone number in it! I had not even missed it!

We arranged to meet him and collect the bag, with all the stuff still in it. I bought him a coke and shook his hand. He looked very "Scouty" to me, as I remember....

[Hedgehog]

Over the summer as a bunch of guys from our troop hiked into summer camp (seriously, how cool is that -- arriving in summer camp with a backpack on having backpacked 16 miles over two days?), one of the guys found a wallet. It had some cash, some gift cards and a library card. No ID. He called the library and got a phone number for the owner. It turned out to be a 13 year old who had lost it the weekend before. That resonated with the boys -- they could have easily have been the one who lost their wallet. The wallet was mailed with a note that it was a Boy Scout that found it and returned it. The best part, none of the adults did or said anything -- the boys knew what to do.

[eagle90]

While at the Grant Pilgrimage in Galena last spring one of our scouts found a digital camera inside one of the port-a-potties. We looked thru the pictures and got the unit number, but they had already left, as this was Sunday morning. I found what council they were in and got the unit leader's address and sent her the camera. Turns out is was a 11 year old first time camper who was devastated that he lost the camera. We received a very nice Thank You note from the Scout. Makes you feel good!

[LeCastor]

Of course, the story of the lost wallet is just a little parable to illustrate how Scouts can help other people. A wise one has reminded me that we need not wait for the lost wallet to help. We should be helping all the time...and looking for ways to help all the time. Don't wait until you trip over the wallet, backpack, or digital camera to lend a helping hand.