Boy Scout dinner held at Nemacolin Woodlands
Boy Scout banquet at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa (from left) are Bill Taylor, Westmoreland-Fayette Council Scout executive; Barry Grimm, executive board member; Mike Krzanowski, Eagle Scout from Troop 119 at St. Rita Roman Catholic Church in Connellsville; Bob Pompeani, guest speaker; Regis Sabol, council president; and Vincent J. Roskovensky II, executive board member and past council president. WHARTON TWP. – It’s been said for many years that to give is better than to receive and that was evident at the 21st Westmoreland, Fayette Council Annual South dinner for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) on Thursday at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa.
It was an evening of reflection, celebration and generosity and more than 260 people attended the function to raise money for the Boy Scouts and their programs according to Tim Colcomb, field director of the Westmoreland, Fayette Council of Boy Scouts.
Colbomb explained that the annual dinner is an extremely important event because the money raised is utilized in many facets.
“It’s used for the camps and many, many other Boy Scout programs for the year,” he said.
He added that the Westmoreland, Fayette council’s mission, is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Former Fayette County Commissioner Ron Nehls said the Boy Scout organization does great work in helping youths.
“I’ve been involved with the program for 25-30 years and I can say that the BSA is the top organization that you can count on to build character in our youth. It’s an organization that teaches and instills great moral values to our youth, and I’m proud of the Scouts and everyone that’s here tonight giving support to this council.’
KDKA sportscaster Bob Pompeani, the main speaker at the event, said Scouts learn many important life lessons. He said what a Scout learns is invaluable, because through Scouting, they learn how to achieve goals, build self esteem and learn to overcome adversity.
Fayette County Commissioner Joe Hardy, who also owns Nemacolin Woodlands, agreed with Pompeani.
“You have some outstanding people in this organization and it’s certainly a good outfit,” said Hardy, a former Boy Scout. ” I admire the people of the Boy Scouts and what they do.”
Also honored at the event was Charlie Dunn of Uniontown who is the Old Trails District Merit Badge Dean. He was presented with a plaque in appreciation and recognition of exceptional leadership and service. Dunn has been involved with the BSA for more than 40 years and he commented on receiving the token of appreciation.
“I do this because I believe in it. Anytime you can work with the youth and help teach them values and help build character and self esteem then you are doing something good. I think a Scouting background can really help and individual excel and I want more kids to get involved,” he said.
There are a total of 3,402 youth participating Cub Scouts, 1,759 Boy Scouts, 665 co-ed Ventureers, 4,386 learning for life group participants and 224 exploring group participants in the Westmoreland, Fayette County council area, according to Colcomb.
He said the annual event raised $ 37,660. Colcomb noted that the majority of the proceeds will be utilized for the Learning for Life Programs, Youth at Risk Programs and the Scouts with Special Needs Programs, and the remainder will be utilized for various Scouting programs in Fayette County.
Rege Sabol, council president, said the annual dinner is very important for the council because it’s the major supplier of community support that keeps the programs going, and without the community support, it would be difficult for the programs to survive.