December 2018

Dear Friend of Scouting.

Times change, but Scout value don’t.  Not in the ways that count.

In the last several years, over twenty young men from the three Boy Scout Troops that make their home in our Cabin have earned the high honor of Eagle Scout. These young men, many from disadvantaged neighborhoods, have now gone off to college; many have already graduated. They are carrying their Scout values with them on their road to becoming future leaders, fathers, and role models.

Every year, hundreds of other Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts come our way. In the safety of our wonderful Scout Cabin, and in the field under the supervision of our experienced adult leaders, these boys and young men are sheltered from the many distractions and bad influences of our world. They’re learning Scout values.

In the past year, we at the Bronxville Scout Committee have enabled a diverse group of boys and young men from Mount Vernon, Yonkers, Eastchester, and Bronxville to participate in Scouting – and in so doing, become better young adults, responsibile citizens, and future leaders.

Many of these boys would not have the opportunity to benefit from Scouting without your support.

Let me be frank: in 2018 Scouting continues to be under financial stress. While our income remains flat, the demand for Scouting is greater than it has been in years – especially from underprivileged boys. But expenses, maintenance, repairs, and upkeep continue to mount.

In the past year, we’ve redone the Cabin’s back wall and enclosed the oil tank for safety; purchased a new refrigerator; bought new tables and chairs to replace the old worn-out ones; planted a beautiful greenery bed on the front’s east side of the cabin, to match the one on the west side we planted a few years ago; replace the entire drain and waste line from both the cabin and the caretaker’s apartment; removed dangerous trees and branches from over the cabin roof; replaced and upgraded the area around the parking lot drain to prevent water and ice accumulation; and installed new energy-efficient triple track storm windows to replace the old drafty ones (our new windows also have screens, so when it’s warm we can open the windows but keep the bugs out!)

Coming next is a long-overdue renovation of the caretaker’s apartment.

While these renovations and repairs are costly,. the Bronxville Scout Committee does not receive any outside support towards our annual operating expenses, which, due to increases in the costs of energy, insurance, and maintenance, easily exceed over $40,000 each year.

Besides dues paid by the Scouts, our only outside income is from the weekend rentals of the cabin and this fundraising letter.

Without your support, it would be impossible for our Committee to serve our local boys and young men. It is far too costly.

Don’t you think the world needs more of Scouting? Can we rely on your generous help in supporting the Scouting mission?

In 2004 we established the William (Bill) Sanford Scouting Endowment Fund, to which many have donated. An Eagle Scout and Silver Beaver Award recipient, Bill was a lifelong friend of Scouting. We continue to accept additional contributions in his member. His family will be duly notified of your generous support.

The Bucca Family has also established the Ronald Bucca Memorial Fund to honor Ronald’s memory and to provide funds for leadership training. Ran had great respect for the Scouts and their values. Fire Marshall Ron Bucca was a Troop 2 Leader who died heroically while rescuing workers at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. We also continue to accept additional donations in his memory and will notify his widow and children – one of who is serving his country by following in his father’s path into the military – of your generous support.

To those of you who have donated in the past, we are most grateful for your loyal support of Scouting in our area. To past donors, and to new ones, we turn to you today to ask for your help. Please assist us in our mission to continue to provide the high level of services we provide for hundred of Scouts, and tir dozens of adult leaders, each and every year.

Can you offer a donation today to support your local Scouts? (Donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law). We assure you that your gift will be carefully used to benefit the many boys and young men of your community who have chosen to pursue the noble path of Scouting.

God Bless America,

Howard Rakov, President
Bronxville Scout Committee