An area Boy Scouts of America troop that lost much of its outdoor camping equipment to theft will be able to continue programming thanks in part to a substantial donation of outdoor gear from the Kellogg Community College Foundation.
Boy Scout Troop 265, of Galesburg, was shocked in early February to find the trailer housing much of its gear had been stolen. Kevin Linders, of Kalamazoo, an adult volunteer with the troop, said the loss included approximately $10,000 worth of tents, stoves, cooking supplies, sleeping bags and other supplies. While the trailer was eventually recovered, Linders said, the supplies were not.
When KCC Foundation Director Teresa Durham saw reports about the theft on the news, she immediately thought of the outdoor supplies the College had in storage from an outdoor class no longer offered. The Foundation donation included more than a dozen tents, six double-burner stoves, six pairs of cross-country skis, lanterns, a hiking backpack, several pairs of flippers, six hockey sticks, oars, various stove and water pump parts and other equipment.
“The KCC Foundation was more than happy to offer assistance to Troop 265 by providing supplies to help them in their outdoor programming following the loss of their equipment,” Durham said. “We are thrilled we were able to fulfill this need and hope the supplies assist the scouts in their educational experiences outdoors.”
Linders said the troop camps outside in tents every month, and that for February’s trip they partnered with a Battle Creek area troop to share supplies. Thanks to donations like this one from the KCC Foundation and from other community organizations, the group should be better situated with equipment of their own come their trip in March.
“This is helping us get on our way,” Linders said, noting the encouragement and support the troop has received from many in the community since the theft of the trailer. He said the experience has been a teaching moment for the troop.
“It’s been overwhelming what the community has done to help us, we’re really just humbled,” Linders said. “We’re able to turn a tragedy into an educational learning lesson for our scouts and show them the impact that the program can have.”
The KCC Foundation was founded in 1998 by the College to seek private funding to assist students with various needs. A nongovernmental, nonprofit 501(c)(3) with its own funds, the KCC Foundation is managed by a volunteer board of directors.
For more information about the KCC Foundation or to donate to student scholarships, contact Teresa Durham, executive director of the KCC Foundation, at 269-965-4161 or visit www.kellogg.edu/foundation.
Pictured above, KCC Foundation Scholarship Technician Jackie Hallahan, left, shakes hands with troop leader Kevin Linders as Linders picks up the KCC Foundation donation on campus in Battle Creek.
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