A small group of fifth grade Cub Scouts undertook an enormous task early in December. Mike Moeller, Bryan Proctor, Will Sheridan and Nick Wrobel set out to collect 500 toys for underprivileged children.
These boys, along with their leader, make up the Flaming Cobras Den of Cub Scout Pack #138. They’ve conducted a toy drive since they were in first grade and each year they’ve doubled what they collected the year before.
The boys decorated 19 collection boxes and placed them in local establishments so community members could contribute at their convenience.
They helped to provide everything needed for 42 local families for the holidays, coordinating items like toys, food, clothes and Christmas trees. Over 4,300 pounds of food were raised, as well as 1,478 toys, almost tripling their goal of 500.
The toys were distributed through the Empty Stocking Fund, coordinated by the Salvation Army and Oakland Press.
“The support from citizens in the area was nothing less than phenomenal,” den leader Laura Proctor said. “Members in the Orion/Oxford area helped make many dreams come true this holiday season. We couldn’t have done it without them!”
Students from Learning Options High School spent countless hours getting together and wrapping gifts for needy children. Other organizations or people that helped the Cub Scouts included Oxford/Orion FISH, American Legion Post #233 and school counselors.
Boxes were placed in Big Boy Restaurants, Collier Lanes, Curves for Women, Oxford and Orion Public Libraries, Papa John’s, Boathouse Billiards, Powerhouse Gym, Jacobsen’s, Accent on Art, Auto One, Mr. Muffler, Tire Warehouse, BW3, Always Christmas & Toy Shop at Canterbury Village.
According to Proctor, the boys next month will move on from Pack #138 to several area Boy Scout troops. “We want to thank everyone for making their final community service act as Cub Scouts such a resounding success,” she added.