By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The 1st Lennoxville Scouts, a prominent youth group in the region, recently received a generous $500 donation from local military veterans’ group ANAF Unit #318. The cheque was presented by the unit’s Sports Director, Kevin MacIver, during a small gathering attended by Scouts Leader Andrew Hopkins. The contribution, which Hopkins said is the first in several years, is intended to support the ongoing activities and programs of the group.
“Supporting the Scouts is important to the members of Unit #318, as they are the future of this great country,” said Brady Smith, President of ANAF Unit #318, in an email. The unit, commonly known as “the Hut,” has a long history of community involvement and regularly supports local organizations, including the Lennoxville Scouts. The relationship between the two groups goes beyond financial support; the Hut also provides meeting spaces for the Scouts and serves as a venue for their events, such as the annual Kub Kar Rally.
Hopkins, who oversees the Scout section for youth aged 11 to 14, expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that funding like this is crucial to keep the Scouts’ activities running smoothly. “There’s always a need for money there for us,” he explained. “Camps, equipment, and regular meetings all come with expenses, so the support is appreciated.”
Currently, the Scouts are involved in a variety of activities, including bottle drives at local football games. “We collected up bottles and cleaned up after the games,” Hopkins shared. While he did not yet have the final tally from their recent efforts, he mentioned that they gathered a substantial number of bottles and cans, which are being sorted for redemption.
