ARTICLE - GILBERT BOY FILLS 83 BACKPACKS FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS IN HIGLEY

Gilbert Boy Scouts fill 83 backpacks for homeless students in Higley

Jul. 29, 2011

News by You

Submitted by Melanie Shaha, project specialist for Higley Unified School District.
Boy Scouts from Troop 689 delivered 83 backpacks full of school supplies for homeless students to Higley Unified School District on Tuesday.
The Scouts transformed their efforts on a simple merit badge for community service into a significant contribution for students in need.
"Once the Scouts realized they were helping children, they became driven!" said Lora Ruiz, mother of scout Nick Ruiz.
The Scouts were welcomed by Higley Superintendent Denise Birdwell, along with cabinet members and executive directors. Birdwell presented each of the Scouts with a certificate of appreciation.
"These young men demonstrated the true meaning of generosity," Birdwell said as she reflected on the Scouts serving a school district different from their own.
"Our district's purpose is to 'Connect, Engage, Inspire,' " she said. "We are grateful for the example and gifts from these Boy Scouts."
Boy Scouts Jackson Tobler, Garrett Oliekan, Chad Sult and Nick Ruiz organized the backpack/school-supply drive with the help of Scoutmaster Mike Dunn. Scouts and volunteers distributed 700 fliers to various neighborhoods and returned to collect donations.
"These Boy Scouts demonstrated what can be accomplished when you care about others and are willing to work," said Sylvia Zapata, HUSD homeless liaison. "These loaded backpacks will give needy students a great start to the new school year."
Last year, the Higley schools had 129 students who were classified as homeless. Some of those students live in the House of Refuge community on the Arizona State University Polytechnic campus, where homeless individuals and families are provided transitional housing and support services.
The Scouts will be attending South Valley Junior High in the Gilbert Public Schools district this year.

ARTICLE- LOCAL ECONOMY ALREADY REALIZING PROJECTS IMPACT, BOY SCOUTS SAY

Wednesday July 20, 2011

Local economy already realizing project's impact, Boy Scouts say

by The Associated Press

The Associated Press

MCT REGIONAL NEWS
By C.V. Moore
The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.Va.
(MCT)

July 20--GLEN JEAN -- Two years out from the grand opening of the Summit Bechtel Reserve in 2013, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) say the Fayette County project has already impacted the local economy in measurable ways.
Of the 285 full-time employees working on the project, more than 80 percent are from West Virginia, according to figures provided by the Summit Bechtel Reserve. Workers from the surrounding counties of Fayette, Greenbrier, Nicholas, Raleigh and Summers total 102.
Moreover, the BSA says it has already injected a total of $25 million into the state's economy. It cites $16 million billed by West Virginia-based contractors and $9 million spent on local consultants and service providers. Additionally, the BSA has also spent approximately $2.5 million on construction materials, food, lodging, and property leasing sourced from local providers.
"The BSA is trying to make this project as West Virginia-centric as we can," says Gary Hartley, director of Community and Governmental Relations for the Summit.
- -- -
The current phase of the BSA's Summit project involves preparing a 10,000-acre tract of land -- now largely empty --for the 40,000 scouts, 8,000 volunteers, and approximately 20,000 day visitors heading to Fayette County for 2013's National Jamboree.
Campsites, roads, trails, an arena and activity areas must all be built in the next two years. That means that the jobs cited are largely in the fields of building and road construction, timbering, surveying, utilities hook-up and heavy equipment operation.
While most local residents haven't visited the site, they have taken note of the mounting evidence rolling past their homes that the Boy Scouts mean business.
"When the heavy equipment first started coming in, our phone started ringing off the hook with people who had seen it and knew that there would be good heavy equipment operator jobs opening up," says Hartley.
When the BSA begins constructing the 350 restroom facilites needed for the Jamboree and laying the foundation for the site's 700-foot Consol Energy Bridge later this summer, other trades will come into the picture.
This construction phase is scheduled to last between five and 10 years, says Hartley. After the Jamboree, construction will shift generally from horizontal to vertical construction.
The Jamboree will also mark a shift from construction-oriented jobs to those related to programming. Zip lines and canopy tours will require operators. Fledgling Boy Scout climbers will require guides. The vast grounds will need constant upkeep and maintenance.
At least for the first Jamboree, the BSA's plan is to outsource the Scouts' rafting trips to vendors in the immediate area.